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Issue link: https://coal.epubxp.com/i/131326
news continued our production of met coal, strengthened our senior management team and put in place a highly competitive operating platform that reduced our cost of production," said Walter Scheller, CEO, Walter Energy. "In the fourth quarter, we responded to the lower pricing and demand environment by executing the strategy announced last quarter to reconfigure our Canadian operations in order to lower production and reduce costs. "Although there are clear signs of improving trends in global demand and pricing for met coal, our current outlook for 2013 remains cautious and we are focused on driving further efficiency in our business," Scheller said. "We currently expect sales and production of met coal in 2013 to be in line with 2012. However, we are extremely well positioned to increase sales and production to capitalize on anticipated improvements in pricing and demand when market conditions warrant." In 2012, Walter Energy sold 10.4 million mt of met coal, up 19% from 8.7 million mt in 2011. Met coal prices averaged $149/mt in the fourth quarter, a decrease of 22% from the average of $191/mt in the third quarter of 2012, and a 39% decrease compared with the $242/mt of the fourth quarter 2011. The consolidated cash cost of sales for met coal was $135/mt in the fourth quarter of 2012, as compared with $132/mt in the third quarter of m 2012 and $139/mt in the fourth quarter of 2011. In the U.S. operations, the cash cost of sales for met coal was $118/mt in the fourth quarter of 2012. In Canada, the cash cost of sales for met coal was $161/mt in the fourth quarter of 2012. Walter Energy's emphasis on safety continues to show results as the majority of locations are achieving lower total reportable injury rates. On a consolidated basis, Walter's total reportable injury rate decreased by 26% in 2012 as compared with 2011. Coal Prep 2013 Partners with KCA for Leadership & Networking Events Coal Prep, the only annual trade show and conference in the U.S. dedicated to coal preparation and processing, and the Kentucky Coal Association (KCA) plan to launch a KCA Symposium, a one-day forum for business intelligence and insights for coal professionals. The event will take place during the Coal Prep International Exhibition and Conference 2013 from April 29-May 2 in Lexington to promote networking and discussion of issues facing the coal industry among lobbyists, producers, manufacturers and service providers. Education, policy, regulations and the industry's future will be highlighted. A centerpiece will be a CEO Power Panel discussion, Where Does U.S. Coal Go from Here? Speakers will include Steve Wunning, PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Mechel OAO has appointed Stephen Douglas Williams CEO of Mechel Bluestone, replacing Tom Lusk. Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. announced James Graham, formerly vice president, general counsel-global operations, has been appointed vice president and chief legal officer. Carolyn Cheverine, formerly general counsel-corporate affairs and secretary, has been promoted to vice president, general counsel and secretary. The company also announced that Paul West has been appointed director of corporate sustainability. Sandvik announced that Jonas Gustavsson, currently president of Sandvik Materials Technology, has been appointed president of Sandvik Machining Solutions and Petra Einarsson has been appointed president of Sandvik Materials Technology and a member of Sandvik's Group Executive Management. J.H. Fletcher & Co. has appointed Frank Fetty and Mike Gissel to its sales department team. Frank Fetty Mike Gissel Atlas Copco Rental has appointed Calvin Byers vice president of business development. Peabody Energy has appointed Matt Brock president–Peabody COALTRADE. Tennessee Valley Authority Executive Vice President and Chief Generation Officer Kimberly S. Greene announced she will be leaving her current position to become president and CEO of Southern Company Services, effective April 1. Gerald (Jerry) H. Luttrell, the E. Morgan Massey professor of Mining and Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Luttrell's nomination was based on his advancement of separation technologies for the mineral and coal industries, pioneering new fields Jerry Luttrell of technology in the environmentally clean processing of mined materials. He holds 18 patents, many of which are in commercial use. His patents address three important industrial problems in mining: fine particle flotation, coarse particle flotation and fine particle dewatering. Most recently, Luttrell has developed a computer program that can be used to optimize the design of minerals and coal processing plants. Liebherr Construction Equipment Co. has promoted Ana Ana CabiedesCabiedes-Uranga to marketing and communications manager. Uranga 12 www.coalage.com Eriez announced that Jose Marin has been promoted to director of minerals and materials processing and Andrew Goldner has been promoted to senior manager, Jose Marin Andrew Goldner John Blicha exports. The company also announced that John Blicha has been promoted to director of corporate communications. Klüber Lubrication North America L.P. has appointed Ralf Kraemer CEO. Ralf Kraemer The NanoSteel Co. has appointed Harald Lemke vice president and general manager of the company's powder metallurgy business. Smico/Symons Screens has appointed Alan Odgers vice president. Alan Odgers River Consulting has appointed Tim Toth director of automation services. March 2013