In its weekly coal production report, the EIA said that US coal production for the week was 19.5 million tons, 1.3% lower than the prior week’s estimate and about 0.7% under the comparable 2012 week.
Eastern coalfields production was 8Mt, while tonnage west of the Mississippi River was 11.5Mt.
To date, the nation’s mines have produced a total of 881.1Mt, down 1.9% on the previous year.
The news is a stark change from the week prior. The agency reported total US coal production of 19.8Mt for the week ending November 9, 2.4% over the week prior and up 2.8% versus the comparable 2012 week.
Results for the week in progress will be released December 2 rather than November 28 due to the US Thanksgiving holiday.
