June 22, 2020 - Contura Energy, Inc. today announced strategic actions regarding two of its large properties that will allow the company to further strengthen its financial performance and to rationalize its production in light of market conditions.

Today approximately 170 employees of Spartan Mining Company, LLC were notified of the company’s intention to idle the Ruby Energy (also known as Kielty) underground mine and the Delbarton Preparation Plant, which is operated by Spartan Mining but owned by Delbarton Mining Company, LLC, each in Mingo County, West Virginia, due to sustained adverse market conditions, which have rendered the mine uneconomic. Additionally, approximately 7 employees of Maxxim Shared Services, LLC working at the facilities were notified of the company’s intention to idle the facilities. The Kielty mine produces coal for thermal, industrial, and metallurgical coal markets, and the Delbarton Preparation Plant serves the Kielty mine. In accordance with requirements of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, employees were given 60 days’ notice of expected layoffs in connection with the idling of these two facilities.

Additionally, Contura has decided against constructing a new refuse impoundment at its Cumberland Mine in Greene County, Pennsylvania, and will not spend the significant capital of over $60 million that was previously announced in connection with this project. Instead, Contura has entered into amendments of certain of its coal supply agreements such that all of its obligations to supply coal to customers from the Cumberland Mine will expire as of December 31, 2022. In the meantime, Contura plans to actively market the Cumberland property for sale while it continues to supply coal in accordance with the amended agreements.

Speaking about today’s announcements, Contura’s chairman and chief executive officer David Stetson reiterated the especially adverse market conditions that formed the foundation of these business decisions. “Given the current market conditions and what we expect from the near-term outlook, it is clear that these properties are not economical and will not be able to deliver the kind of value we strive for in our portfolio,” Stetson said. “These are trying times, but we are committed to make the difficult choices necessary to maintain our long-term financial strength.”