Central Appalachia Met Coal Producer Expands Low-Vol Portfolio
Ramaco Resources (NASDAQ: METC) is advancing development at its Maben property in Wyoming and Raleigh Counties, West Virginia, with construction of a new rail loadout and planned commencement of underground mining operations. The Maben complex is part of Ramaco's strategy to expand its low-volatility metallurgical coal production in Central Appalachia.
Maben Property Overview
- Total acreage: Approximately 28,000 acres of leased coal holdings across Wyoming and Raleigh Counties
- Reserves: 11.5 million clean recoverable tons of proven and probable underground, surface and highwall mineable reserves
- Resources: 230 million in-place tons of Measured and Indicated coal resources (exclusive of reserves)
- Active mining: Maben Highwall No. 2 Mine in operation since May 2023, with surface/highwall production of approximately 300,000 clean tons annually
Development Projects
Ramaco is constructing a new rail loadout at the Maben complex expected to be complete before year-end 2026, anticipated to save roughly US$20 per ton on current trucking costs and provide optionality for future deep mine production growth. Three underground mines are planned: the Beckley Crystal Deep Mine (planned start 2026, 2.4 Mt total through 2038), the Slick Rock Sewell Deep Mine (planned start 2026, 2.2 Mt through 2033), and the Allen Creek Mine No. 1 (planned start 2028, 4.4 Mt through 2038). At full production, the Maben deep mine could provide approximately 1.5 million tons of additional low-vol coal production.
Company-Wide Growth Strategy
In Q1 2026, Ramaco produced 951,000 tons of coal overall, with the Elk Creek complex contributing 717,000 tons (up 4% year-on-year). Low-vol growth projects at Laurel Fork and Berwind mines are expected to add 100,000-200,000 tons in 2026 and 500,000 tons in 2027. Beyond coal, Ramaco is advancing rare earth element and critical minerals exploration at its Brook Mine near Sheridan, Wyoming — an exploration-stage property targeting demonstration of commercial viability for processing rare earth elements from coal.
