Quest subsidiary Gwenco reported the production and shipment of 11,500 gross tons for the month, which resulted in the clean tonnage sold at $67 per ton. The recovery rate was 46% on average, close to its goal of 50% or higher.

"What makes these production results even more impressive is that we achieved these results even though there was a severe power outage in the region, which caused a nine-day closure during the second half of December," Quest president Eugene Chiaramonte Jr noted.

"We produced 3500 clean tons during the first half of December alone. Without the power outage, we were on pace to produce over 7000 clean tons for the month, which would have put us very close to our goal of 10,000 clean tons per month.”

Chiaramonte Jr said the company continued to make progress towards its operational goals with each production month that passed.

“We continue to believe that, if we are able to continue to operate without any significant delays or mining stoppages, we will achieve these goals in this new fiscal year,” he said.

“We also continue to believe that demand for coal, both in the United States and abroad, is rebounding and getting stronger, with US and Asian steel producers continuing to show positive signs."

Quest reported $292,000 in coal revenues in November on the shipment of 8700 tons and sale of 4150 clean tons. This result was despite a series of obstacles, including a nine-day federal electrical inspection and extra equipment repairs.

Quest began renovation work on the Cedar Grove and Pond Creek operations in 2008, and has retained Whitestar as the contract miner for its operations.