Foresight Energy

Foresight Energy is a leading producer of thermal coal with reserves in the Illinois Basin. With over 1.7 billion tons of coal reserves, they believe they are among the largest holders of coal reserves in the United States. Their reserves are sufficient to support over 75 years of production at their current production level. They operate two of their three mining complexes with longwall mining systems. This highly productive mining method coupled with the favorable geology of their coal has resulted in their mines being among the safest, most productive and lowest cost underground coal mines in the United States. Their three mining complexes (Williamson, Sugar Camp, and Macoupin) are designed to support up to 6 longwall mining systems, with a combined productive capacity of up to 43.2 million tons of high Btu coal per year. Their reserves and mines are strategically located near multiple rail and river transportation access points giving us multiple transportation options. Their access to competing rail carriers as well as access to truck and barge transport provides us with cost-competitive flexibility. They own a 20 million ton per year barge-loading river terminal on the Ohio River. They have contractual rights to 5 million tons per year of existing terminal capacity in the Gulf of Mexico. These facilities have long-term, fixed price rail contracts ensuring their cost effective access to the export markets. Their low operating costs, competitive transportation rates and high heat content of their coal enable us to be cost competitive on a delivered cost per Btu to a wide variety of domestic and international markets. They have been exporting coal through New Orleans since 2008 to Europe, South America, India, China, Africa, and the Middle East.