Coal market’s rare bright spot tempts yet another US producer

Add Contura Energy to the list of coal companies planning new mines, fueling concerns of a glut.

The Bristol, Tennessee-based miner said Wednesday it would invest $25-million to $30-million in the Lynn Branch mine in West Virginia and begin production next year. It’s expected to eventually yield one-million to 1.2-million tons a year of metallurgical coal used to make steel, according to a statement .