2023 underground coal production (short tons, from EIA)
52,753
2023 total coal production (short tons, from EIA)
52,753
2024 underground coal production (short tons, from MSHA)
232,575
2024 total coal production (short tons, from MSHA)
232,575
Coal type
bituminous (from combined MSHA and EIA info)
CO2 metric tons 2023
114,462
CO2 metric tons 2024
504,634
Data from MSHA
(The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is an agency of the United States Department of Labor which enforces compliance with mandatory safety and health standards for mines.)
Mine ID
1519860
Mine state
Kentucky
Portable operation (mine can move around)
N
Current mine name
ORCHARD BRANCH OWL MINE
Current mine type
Underground
Current mine status
Active
Status date
04/04/2025
Current controller
Javelin Global Commodities (UK) Ltd
Current operator
BLUEGRASS NATURAL RESOURCES, LLC
County
Harlan
Company type
Other
Latitude
36.983611
Longitude
-82.938611
Directions to mine
On 119 N in Cumberland turn right at the Apple Orchard, go straight approximately 1 mile then turn left to the Mines.
Nearest town
Cumberland
Mine has underground component (yes/no)
y
Mine has surface component (yes/no)
n
Mine has refuse component (yes/no)
n
Mine has preparation plant (yes/no)
y
Methane liberation (cubic feet each 24 hours)
0
Data from EIA
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is an agency that is part of the U.S. Dept. of Energy and is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating energy information.
EIA mine name
Orchard Branch Owl Mine
Note:
The EIA mine name differs from the mine name at the top of this page, which is taken from MSHA
Coal location state
Kentucky (East)
Note:
The EIA coal location state is the state where the coal is mined: the MSHA state is the state where the mine mouth is located. In this case they differ.
County
Harlan
Mine status
Active
Company type
Independent Producer Operator
Operation type
Mine only
Operator name
Bluegrass Natural Resources, L
Operator address
144 E. Market Place Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37922
Coal supply region
Appalachia Central
Mine has underground component (yes/no)
y
Mine has surface component (yes/no)
n
Mine has refuse component (yes/no)
n
Mine has preparation plant (yes/no)
n
Data from GEM
Global Energy Monitor (GEM) is an independent nonprofit organization that develops and shares information in support of the worldwide movement for clean energy. These data are from its Global Coal Mine Tracker database.
Political Economy Research Institute