Numerous US mines have filed for bankruptcy, estimated loss of annual volume up to 7 million mt
- Met Coal Junkie
- Jan 27
- 3 min read
Here’s an updated summary of 2023, 2024, and 2025 U.S. metallurgical coal producer bankruptcies, including filing dates, statuses:
2023
1. Allegiance Coal USA Limited
Filing Date: February 21, 2023
Status: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The case faced significant disputes with creditors, and the company pursued a two-step dismissal process due to administrative insolvency in October 2024.
2. Lighthouse Resources Inc.
Filing Date: December 2023
Status: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after market challenges and falling demand. The company faced liquidation after failing to secure a viable reorganization plan.
2024
1. Coking Coal, LLC
Filing Date: December 16, 2024
Status: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. The company is currently undergoing asset liquidation.
2. Ben's Creek Operations WV LLC
Filing Date: April 14, 2024
Status: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after laying off 44 miners. The company is under court-supervised restructuring.
3. JRL Coal, Inc.
Filing Date: December 17, 2024
Status: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. The company plans to liquidate its assets to pay creditors.
2025
1. Corsa Coal Corp.
Filing Date: January 6, 2025
Status: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The company plans to sell its assets under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and secured $15 million in debtor-in-possession financing.
2. Quecreek Mining, Inc.
Filing Date: January 6, 2025
Status: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Undergoing voluntary restructuring.
3. Wilson Creek Energy, LLC (and affiliates)
Filing Date: January 6, 2025
Status: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy alongside Quecreek Mining. Currently in voluntary restructuring.
To estimate the total volume of metallurgical coal production lost due to these bankruptcies, we can summarize known production capacities of the companies mentioned:
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2023
1. Allegiance Coal USA Limited
Estimated Production: 2 million metric tons/year
2. Lighthouse Resources Inc.
Production volumes are not publicly disclosed, but the company was not a significant producer compared to others on the list. (Likely minimal contribution.)
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2024
1. Coking Coal, LLC
Production volumes not disclosed. The company was a medium-sized producer of metallurgical coal. Estimated: ~1-1.5 million metric tons/year (industry standard for similar producers).
2. Ben's Creek Operations WV LLC
No production volumes disclosed. Likely a smaller producer of metallurgical coal. Estimated: ~500,000 metric tons/year.
3. JRL Coal, Inc.
Production volumes not disclosed but likely similar to Ben's Creek. Estimated: ~500,000 metric tons/year.
2025
1. Corsa Coal Corp.
Q2 2024 production increased by 6%, with annualized production estimated at ~1.3 million metric tons/year prior to bankruptcy.
2. Quecreek Mining, Inc.
Production volumes not disclosed but estimated at ~500,000 metric tons/year.
3. Wilson Creek Energy, LLC (and affiliates)
Production volumes not disclosed. Likely similar to Quecreek Mining. Estimated: ~500,000 metric tons/year.
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Total Estimated Production Lost
Allegiance Coal USA Limited: 2.0 million metric tons
Coking Coal, LLC: 1.5 million metric tons
Ben's Creek Operations WV LLC: 0.5 million metric tons
JRL Coal, Inc.: 0.5 million metric tons
Corsa Coal Corp.: 1.3 million metric tons
Quecreek Mining, Inc.: 0.5 million metric tons
Wilson Creek Energy, LLC: 0.5 million metric tons
Total: ~6.8 million metric tons/year
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This is a rough estimate based on available information and typical production scales for companies in the metallurgical coal industry. The exact number could vary due to incomplete data.