Representatives from Alpha Natural Resources met with the media and employees of Cobra Natural Resources in Wharnecliffe Aug. 4 to discuss their merger with Foundation Coal Holdings. The merger of the two companies, which retain the name Alpha Natural Resources, has made the company the third largest producer of coal in the United States behind Peabody Energy and Arch Coal Inc.

“The merger allows us to pool our resources, take the best of what we have to offer and work more efficiently in the production of coal,” said the new president of Alpha Resources, Kurt Kost. “This will also allow us to have a stronger voice in regards to coal legislation, the future of coal production, and the long-term needs of our country using domestic coal.

“In the short-term, the merger will not have any effect on this community, but it will have a very positive effect in the long-term,” Kost continued. “The merger allows Alpha Natural Resources to have a stronger supporting base in coal production and to increase our reserves and help to increase stability in regards to its production. Alpha has done a very good job with their employees and we would like to continue to grow on the in the future.”

Alpha Natural Resources now employs over 6,500 people with more than 50 coal mines and 14 preparation plants nationally in Northern and Central Appalachia and the Powder River Basin in Montana and Wyoming.

The combined production the merging companies for 2008 was just under 100 million tons.

The merger was approved at a special shareholders meeting on July 31.