Kentucky Coal Facts - 13th Edition - Department for Energy ...

Muhlenberg County
Production Method Mines Production Percentage
Total 5 4,887,921 100%
Surface 3 3,809,603 78%
Underground 2 1,078,318 22%
Coal production in Muhlenberg County peaked prominently
in the mid-1970s when the county was the largest producer
of coal in Kentucky.
On-Site Activity Employment Percentage
Total 640 100%
Underground 436 68%
Surface 133 21%
Preparation Plant 57 9%
Office 14 2%
There were 5 active mines sites that produced a total of 4.8
million tons of coal in Muhlenberg County in 2012. County
production was led by the three surface operations, which
produced 3.8 million tons of coal; underground mining accounted
for 1 million tons. Overall, coal production from
Muhlenberg County decreased by 15 percent and represented
5.3 percent of statewide production in 2012.
Approximately 640 people were employed full-time at coal
mine sites in Muhlenberg County in 2012, a marginal increase
over 2011. During the year, 68 percent of direct coal
mining employment was tied to underground sites, while a
fifth of employees worked at surface mine sites. Coal preparations
plants and office positions also provided around 70
full-time jobs in Muhlenberg County through 2012.
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