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The Southwest Virginia coalfield occupies an area of approximately
1520 square miles, contains nearly all of Virginia's bituminous coal reserves,
and is currently the source of all the State's coal production. Virginia's
coal is produced from seven counties: Wise, Dickenson, Lee, Buchanan, Russell,
Scott, and Tazewell. However, 85% of the coal produced comes from
the counties of Wise, Dickenson and Buchanan.
The following information was obtained from the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Division of Mines, P.O. Drawer 900, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
| 1997 | 2000 |
| TOTAL # OF UNDERGROUND MINES IN OPERATION | 264 | 226 |
| TOTAL # OF TONS PRODUCED BY UNDERGROUND MINING | 27,988,826 | 33,259,500 |
| TOTAL # OF PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYEES | 5,201 | 3,713 |
| TOTAL # OF DAYS WORKED UNDERGROUND | 64,484 | 41,820 |
| TOTAL # OF HOURS WORKED | 9,243,328 | 6,840,145 |
| TOTAL PRODUCTION WAGES FOR UNDERGROUND MINING | $169,951,034 | $140,685,876 |
