Total coal production declined in the period-to-period comparison because some mines that produced coal in August 2002 were subject to depletion, sales or long term idling later in 2002 or 2003. The aggregate impact on coal production from these events was approximately 0.6 million tons.
Consol produced a total of 4.8 million tons for August 2003, breaking down into 3.6 million tons for Northern Appalachia, 1.1 million tons for Central Appalachia and 0.1 million tons for the Midwest/West.
August figures were up on the previous month, mainly due to July production being lower because many mines took a scheduled two-week vacation period during the month, idling production.