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

Union County
Production Method Mines Production Percentage
Total 3 13,474,909 100%
Underground 3 13,474,909 100%
Unlike most coal-producing counties in Kentucky, mine
productivity in Union County has been stable since 2004 and
has actually increased over the past three years.
On-Site Activity Employment Percentage
Total 1,299 100%
Underground 1,121 86%
Preparation Plant 115 9%
Surface 46 4%
Office 17 1%
During 2012, Union County of Western Kentucky produced
13.4 million tons of coal and became the largest coalproducing
county in Kentucky. This amount represented 14.7
percent of total coal production in Kentucky, and a one year
increase of 9.3%. A major factor in the direction of Union
County’s coal production has been the development of the
River View Mine, which now holds the record in Kentucky for
the most production by one mine in a year.
Coal mines in Union County on average employed 1,299
workers full-time in 2012. As a result, Union County had the
fourth-highest level of direct coal mining employment in Kentucky
during the year. The vast majority of direct mining
jobs offered in Union County were related to underground
mine operations, and represented 86 percent of mining employment.
In addition, approximately 170 individuals were
employed full-time at preparation plants, surface mines, and
on-site offices during 2012.
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