Statistical profile of major coal-producing firms, 1978

This report examines major coal-producing groups, which are firms controlling output of 3 million or more tons annually. Characteristics of the major producing groups, such as their percentage of US output, their ownership by companies in coal, steel, oil, etc., and their regional concentration, are compared using 1966 and 1978 data. On the basis of mine-level data for 1978, a cross-section of mines controlled by major producers is compared to one of mines controlled by smaller firms for differences in markets, coal prices, transportation, distribution of output, technology, and other characteristics. Finally, such measures of efficiency as output per miner-shift and scale characteristics by market type (such as captive versus open), consumer (steam or steel), and controlling group are examined.