Operations
Patriot Coal is a producer and marketer of coal in the eastern United States, with operations and coal reserves in Appalachia and the Illinois Basin. We and our predecessor companies have operated in these regions for more than 50 years. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, we employ approximately 4,100 people with more than 1,600 represented by the United Mine Workers of America and 2,500 non-union represented employees.
In 2012, we sold 24.9 million tons of coal, of which 75% was sold to domestic and global electricity generators and industrial customers and 25% was sold to domestic and global steel and coke producers. Led by a substantial increase in thermal coal exports, we shipped a record 45% of our volume to locations outside the U.S. in 2012.
Our operations consist of 11 active complexes, with one in northern West Virginia, eight in southern West Virginia and two in western Kentucky.
Northern Appalachia Thermal
Federal
Central Appalachia Metallurgical
Kanawha Eagle
Paint Creek
Panther
Rocklick
Wells
Central Appalachia Thermal
Midland Trail
Corridor G
Logan County
Illinois Basin Thermal
Dodge Hill
Highland
Transportation Optionality
Rail
Barge
East Coast & Gulf exports
We ship coal to electricity generators, industrial users, steel mills and independent coke producers, as well as brokers that ultimately sell the coal to these same types of customers. Coal is shipped via various company-owned and third-party loading facilities, multiple rail and river transportation routes and ocean-going vessels.
Our mining operations and coal reserves are as follows:
Appalachia
In southern West Virginia, we have eight mining complexes located in Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Kanawha and Raleigh counties. In northern West Virginia, we have one complex located in Monongalia County. We sold 18.5 million tons of coal in Appalachia in 2012. We control 1.2 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves in Appalachia, of which 492 million tons are assigned to current operations.
Illinois Basin
In the Illinois Basin, we have two complexes located in Union and Henderson counties in western Kentucky. We sold 6.4 million tons of coal in the Illinois Basin in 2012 and control 658 million tons of proven and probable coal reserves in the Illinois Basin, of which 119 million tons are assigned to current operations.
