Alpha Natural Resources Picks Plum Energy to Supply LNG

Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE:ANR) announced on Friday that Plum Energy intends to construct a liquified natural gas (LNG) production plant near its Eagle Butte Mine in Wyoming.

As quoted in the press release:

The Plum Energy facility will supply LNG to Alpha Coal West’s mine haul vehicles, producing cost efficiencies and fuel savings for its mining operations.

Alpha Coal West began testing LNG technologies developed by GFS Corp. in trucks at the Belle Ayr Mine in 2012, beginning a pilot program of the world’s first LNG-powered mine haul trucks. After 18 months of daily operation, Alpha Coal West decided to proceed with the conversion to LNG of its 16 Caterpillar 793 haul trucks at the nearby Eagle Butte Mine. Alpha Coal West expects the alterations to the trucks, each of which is capable of hauling 240-tons of coal, or the equivalent of two railroad cars, to be completed by the end of 2014.

Alpha Natural president, Paul Vining, said:

The construction of the LNG plant fits with ongoing efforts to control costs. Switching the Alpha Coal West fleet to the combined use of LNG and diesel will also lead to more efficient operation and longer engine life for the trucks.

Click here to read the Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE:ANR) press release