Foresight Energy LP (NYSE: FELP) on Dec. 2 reported that on Nov. 25 it withdrew underground mining personnel from its Deer Run Mine in Illinois due to elevated carbon monoxide readings.
Mine personnel are attempting to suppress the event that has resulted in the elevated carbon monoxide readings by injecting nitrogen and foam from the surface. Once the elevated carbon monoxide readings are reduced and stabilized, Foresight said it will work with the regulatory agencies to develop a plan to reenter the mine and continue with its efforts to extract the longwall equipment from the current longwall panel and to seal the district. If mine personnel are unable to reenter the mine for a prolonged period, Foresight’s ability to satisfy sales commitments could be negatively impacted.
Carbon monoxide is usually a sign of a “combustion event” in a coal mine like this. Nitrogen helps starve the combustion of oxygen. U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration data shows that Deer Run, operated by contractor Patton Mining LLC, produced 1.9 million tons in the first three quarters of this year and 5.6 million tons in all of 2014.
Foresight is a leading coal producer in the Illinois Basin region of the United States with control of over three billion tons of coal reserves currently supporting four mining complexes. Foresight’s logistics give each of its mining complexes multiple modes of transportation to reach the end-users for its coal, including rail, barge and truck. Foresight serves both the domestic and international markets.
