For the year’s first half ended June 30, coal revenues totaled more than $US1.45 million, versus the result for the 2009 first half of just $330,314.

Kentucky Energy subsidiary Gwenco, which operates the complexes in the company’s portfolio, leases more than 700 acres of coal mines in Kentucky with about 12.99 million tons of coal in-place in within six seams.

The operator attributed the positive result to an increased level of mining operations year-on-year.

Company president Eugene Chiaramonte Jr said the YTD achievement is an important milestone.

“[It] resulted from our ability to mine on a more consistent basis as compared to the prior period,” he said.

“As a percentage of net sales, our production costs decreased, as our additional cost expenditures resulted in more efficient and productive mining operations.”

He also noted that Kentucky Energy added and upgraded equipment at its mines, which permitted it to be in more consistent production.

“In addition, as we advanced further into the mine, the coal seam thickened, which resulted in improved rates of recovery and a higher percentage of coal per gross ton extracted."

Chiaramonte said Kentucky is continuing to work towards its production goal of 10,000 clean tons of coal monthly.

In the meantime, he noted, the company’s output is compliant with sulfur dioxide emission standards for air quality, without flue-gas desulfurization.

Kentucky Energy changed its name from Quest Minerals and Mining in June.