The room and pillar mining in the blue seam is in line with the regulatory approval previously been granted for mining the Allen seam at the mine.
The company intends to bring the New Elk Coal Mine into full commercial to produce high quality metallurgical coke.
The coal is expected to be produced at a rate of 3.0 million tons annually during its initial 20-year mine project plan period.
The full planned production rate is to be attained during the first half of 2012.
Saleable coal production during next year is projected at 2.5 million tons, with production in the 2013 and annually thereafter at the rate of 3.0 million tons.
Cline has metallurgical coal property interests in British Columbia, Canada and in Colorado, U.S.
