As of mid-April, Alpha had more than 37 million tons of planned coal production uncommitted and un-priced for 2009 and 2010, including more than 21 million tons of metallurgical coal and 16 million tons of thermal coal.

In total, 57% of 2009 planned production was uncommitted and un-priced as of April 15, while 87% of planned 2010 production was uncommitted and un-priced. These figures all exclude any third-party purchases that are blended and/or resold, which has historically represented four to six million additional un-priced tons.

Alpha has six production optimization and new mine projects under development that are expected to add as much as 800,000 tons of incremental production this year above what the company planned, partly to meet increased demand in the spot market.

About Alpha Natural Resources

Alpha Natural Resources supplies Appalachian coal to electric utilities, steel producers and heavy industry. Approximately 89% of the company's reserve base is high Btu coal and 82% is low sulfur, qualities that are in high demand among electric utilities which use steam coal.

Alpha is also the nation's largest supplier and exporter of metallurgical coal, a key ingredient in steel manufacturing. Alpha and its subsidiaries currently operate mining complexes in four states, consisting of 57 mines feeding 11 coal preparations and blending plants.

Alpha Natural (ANR: chart) $4.22 to $54.80 and has traded in the last twelve months between $17.50 and $53 before the rise in the stock today. Peabody Energy stock (BTU: chart), the largest coal producer in the world has traded in the same period between $37 and $71 and Fording Canadian Coal Trust (FDG: chart) stock has traded between $24.90 and $67.