Massey Energy Restarts Preparation Plant

JULIAN, W.Va., Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Massey Energy Company (NYSE: MEE) today announced that it has restarted operations at its preparation plant in Logan County, WV.  The redesigned Bandmill plant has been renamed "Zigmond Processing," after retired longtime Massey member Richard Zigmond.

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The plant, which was destroyed by fire on August 27, 2009, resumed processing coal last week earlier than the December 1, 2010 restart date the Company had previously projected.

"Our investment in this rebuilt, state-of-the-art preparation plant demonstrates our commitment to Central Appalachia," said Don L. Blankenship, Chairman and CEO.  "The re-opening of Zigmond Processing will have a major economic impact in Logan County, WV."

Zigmond Processing features a heavy media vessel, heavy media cyclone, reflux classifiers and froth flotation and has processing capacity of 1,200 tons per hour.  It will service four underground mines producing high quality metallurgical coal and two surface mines producing steam coal.  The mines are part of the Company's Logan County resource group.  The facility also features a new batch-weigh flood loadout that is capable of loading 15,000 ton trains in four hours.  

Massey Energy Company, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, with operations in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia, is the largest coal producer in Central Appalachia and is included in the S&P 500 Index.  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain statements in this statement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to come within the safe harbor protection provided by those sections. Any forward-looking statements are also subject to a number of assumptions regarding, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions. These assumptions are based on facts and conditions as they exist at the time such statements are made as well as predictions as to future facts and conditions, the accurate prediction of which may be difficult and involve the assessment of circumstances or events beyond our control. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements unless required by securities law, and we caution the reader to not rely on them unduly. Additional information can be found in press releases and Massey's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Massey's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which was filed on March 1, 2010, and subsequently filed interim reports.

SOURCE Massey Energy Company