The mine has been idle since a lightning strike caused a ventilation disruption. Rescuers originally entered the mine during February, more than five months after the fire, to assess damage and kick off the rescue plan.
With progress continuing toward rehabilitating the remainder of the mine, the company anticipates longwall production will begin in May.
In addition, PinnOak has been working in the Greenridge area of the Pinnacle property, and it is expected that production will begin this month with one miner unit at Greenridge.
"The after-effects of last fall’s ventilation disruption have presented long and difficult challenges for all of us at the company, among our customers and suppliers and in the communities around the Pinnacle mine,” said PinnOak CEO Benjamin Statler.
“Resuming limited production is an important milestone, but there is still considerable work in front of us. Our goal remains to safely resume full production as quickly as possible," he said.
According to a Platts report, work had been completed sealing off the longwall and longwall gob area at the mine. Despite initial plans to avoid sealing the mine, PinnOak were forced to cut off the longwall area because of continuing ventilation problems, Platts said.
