The properties in Randolph and Upshur counties were acquired from an unnamed seller for $US7.5 million.

Rhino says the development-stage resources are currently unpermitted and no infrastructure exists. It will now do a full exploration to determine mineability via underground methods.

"We believe [the property] gives us exposure to a potentially significant amount of metallurgical coal resources at a very reasonable cost,” Rhino GP president and chief executive officer David Zatezalo said.

“We hope to be mining in this geographic area on a long-term basis."

The producer’s assets include both steam and met coal properties in central and northern Appalachia, the Illinois Basin and the Western Bituminous region.