UCM exports coal to South America.(TRADE)

The panamax vessel MV Coral Sapphire departed Seward recently loaded with 73,000 metric tons of Alaskan coal from Usibelli Coal Mine in Healy. The shipment is bound for a power plant in Mejillones, Chile.

There is an option for the customer to order a second shipment of the same size during the last quarter of 2006.

Since 1985, Usibelli has exported more than 13 million tons of coal to several Pacific Rim customers, primarily South Korea. Since initial test shipments to Chile in 2004, Usibelli has exported more than 250,000 metric tons to three utilities that operate power plants along the west coast of Chile.

"We are very pleased to be included in Chile's portfolio of fuel suppliers." said Joe Usibelli Jr., president of Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. "Chile's demand for coal is expected to increase significantly in the near future and we look forward to being a long-term reliable fuel supplier to meet their growing energy needs." UCM is headquartered in Healy, where it mines approximately 1.4 million tons of coal annually. Approximately 900,000 tons provides fuel for the generation of power and heat throughout Interior Alaska.

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