2023 surface coal production (short tons, from EIA)
109,040
2023 total coal production (short tons, from EIA)
109,040
2024 surface coal production (short tons, from MSHA)
88,399
2024 total coal production (short tons, from MSHA)
88,399
Coal type
bituminous (from combined MSHA and EIA info)
CO2 metric tons 2023
236,592
CO2 metric tons 2024
191,805
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
4609414
Mine state
Kentucky
Portable operation (mine can move around)
Y
Current mine name
HWM #73
Current mine type
Surface
Current mine status
Active
Status date
08/11/2025
Current controller
SDC LLC; Cox Enterprises LLC
Current operator
Commonwealth Mining, LLC
County
Harlan
Company type
Other
Latitude
37.469167
Longitude
-82.589167
Directions to mine
From Harlan Field Office turn left on US 421 N/US 119N. Travel 36.7 miles to State Hwy 806. Travel State Hwy 806 approximately 2.0 miles and turn on Smith Creek road. In 200 feet turn right handed onto main haul road and active mine site.
Nearest town
Partridge
Mine has underground component (yes/no)
n
Mine has surface component (yes/no)
y
Mine has refuse component (yes/no)
n
Mine has preparation plant (yes/no)
n
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
Hwm #73
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
Letcher
Mine status
Active
Company type
Contractor
Operation type
Mine only
Operator name
Commonwealth Mining,
Operator address
145 George Street, Suite E, Beckley, WV 25801
Coal supply region
Appalachia Central
Mine has underground component (yes/no)
n
Mine has surface component (yes/no)
y
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