Western Coal currently produces metallurgical coal from mines located in the northeast of British Columbia and both metallurgical and thermal coals from mines in West Virginia.
The coal properties in British Columbia have over 127 million tonnes of reserves and over 230 million tonnes of resources. The coal properties in West Virginia have over 47 million tons (short) of reserves and 92 million tons (short) of resources.
Western's BC mines are located on the following properties:
Perry Creek Mine on the Wolverine property is a surface mine that has the potential to produce 3.5 Mt/a of hard coking coal.
Brule Mine on the Brazion property is a surface mine that has the potential to produce 2.0 Mt/a.
Willow Creek Mine on the Brazion property - acquired in April 2008 - is a surface mine that has the potential to produce 0.9 Mt/a of low-vol PCI and 0.6 Mt/a of hard coking coal.
Western also has a 50% joint venture interest in the Belcourt-Saxon properties. A Technical Report has been completed which indicates the properties can support production of atleast 4.0 Mt/a.
The Company's West Virginia mines are:
Maple Coal operates both surface and underground mines, which combined have the capacity to produce over 2 million short tons per year.
Gauley Eagle operates both surface and underground mines, which combined have the capacity to produce 1.5 million short tons per year.
The Company's objectives are:
- Produce and sell over 7 million tonnes per year of high quality metallurgical coal to the top steelmakers around the world
- Allocate resources prudently and efficiently for the development of its coal properties, to achieve maximum value for the Company's shareholders
- Demonstrate to regulators, First Nations, local communities and other stakeholders that the Company will safely conduct its operations in an environmentally and socially responsible manner
