MAHANOY CITY - For the second year in a row, Blaschak Coal Corp. has achieved record mine production, experiencing a 33 percent increase in output in 2012, the company recently reported in a press release.
Last year, the 75-year-old company's "run-of-mine" coal production - the coal that is removed from mines - exceeded 850,000 tons. Blaschak's prepared coal sales were more than 300,000 tons. Additionally, the company generated record sales revenue and profitability.
Blaschak had reported already in September that it had topped 2011's output in just nine months.
With global industrial demand for anthracite coal on the rise and continued strength in some domestic markets, the company says it expects additional growth in 2013.
"With a difficult global economy at the start of the year, 2013 will be a challenge, but recognition of anthracite as an environmentally beneficial and economical alternative to other sources of carbon in many industrial applications is spreading in the marketplace" Greg Driscoll, president and CEO, was quoted in the press release. "We're seeing promising activities in the domestic steel industry, for example, with regard to demand for anthracite."
Since 2011, Blaschak has acquired a new mine site and processing plant in Lattimer, Pa., as well as additional excavating and processing equipment. The company has the current capacity to produce 1 million run-of-mine tons and its processing capability yields up to 450,000 "prepared" tons annually.