CONSOL Energy Inc. is providing an operations update for the quarter ended December 31, 2012.

"CONSOL's mines and gas operations ran well during the quarter," commented J. Brett Harvey, chairman and chief executive officer. "Substantial improvements in safety have been realized during the year and new records have been set all across the company. Yet in the fourth quarter, we suffered a tragic fatality. For 2013, we are focusing our efforts on reducing the severity of incidents, while maintaining the pace of overall accident reduction we've achieved the past five years."

CONSOL's Coal Division produced 14.3 million tons for the fourth quarter of 2012, including 0.7 million tons of low-vol coking coal from the company's Buchanan Mine. This was lower than the 15.2 million tons, including 1.4 million tons from Buchanan, in the fourth quarter of 2011. Annual 2012 coal production was 56.0 million tons, including 3.5 million tons from Buchanan and 0.1 million tons from Amonate. Annual 2011 coal production was 62.0 million tons.

Most of the 2012 reduction in coal production was due to the company's efforts to control inventory. Several mines were idled during 2012, as the company continually sought to match production and sales.

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