Alpha Natural Resources' proposed $7.1 billion buyout ofstruggling rival Massey Energy Co. would create a global power builton exporting U.S. coal for steelmakers, Alpha's chief executive saidMonday.
Combined, the pair should produce 27 million tons a year ofhigher-priced metallurgical coal by 2013 and start adding to profitsnext year, Kevin Crutchfield said during a conference call withanalysts.
"We'll become a true global leader. We'll be a leading supplierof metallurgical coal globally and in the U.S.," Crutchfield said,adding that Alpha would have among the world's largest and highest-quality reserves of coal used in making steel.
Demand has pushed up U.S. coal exports nearly 47 percent to 60.8million tons through the first nine months of the year. The biggestgrowth occurred to fast-growing Asian companies. While governmentfigures don't break down exports by type of coal, metallurgical coaltends to account for the bulk of U.S. exports, which come almostentirely from eastern mines.
"We continue to believe that the world is going to experience apersistent structural undersupply of high quality metallurgicalcoal," Crutchfield told The Associated Press.
Crutchfield doesn't think the deal will run into antitrusthurdles. And he hinted that Massey's legal matters from an Aprilmine explosion that killed 29 workers could be resolved soon.
The combined company would have sales of about 131 million tonsannually and control about 29 percent of the U.S. supply ofmetallurgical coal.
Alpha is offering 1.025 shares of its stock for each share ofMassey, plus $10 per share in cash. Together, that represents a bidof $69.33 per share, a 21 percent premium over Massey's closingshare price Friday.
"Our goal was to win, not win at any price, but win at avaluation that we thought could make sense for both sets ofshareholders," Crutchfield said.
Massey shares jumped $5.75, or 10 percent, to $62.98 in afternoontrading while Alpha shares dropped $4.15, or 7.2 percent, to $53.73.
Moody's Investors Service said it was reviewing Alpha's debtratings for a possible downgrade. Alpha expects to have $2.9 billionin debt on its balance sheet if the deal goes through.
The combined company would be run by Crutchfield and his topdeputies. Massey's board would be eliminated. Alpha also wouldreplace Massey's much-maligned safety program with its own approach.
Massey's safety record has been questioned for years and hasfaced renewed skepticism following the explosion that killed 29miners at its Upper Big Branch mine in April. The disaster is thedeadliest at a U.S. coal mine since 1970 and the target of civil andcriminal investigations.
Massey has struggled with heavy losses since the blast and lastfall decided to seek a buyer.
Federal investigators have blamed faulty equipment and poormaintenance for allowing a small methane ignition at Upper BigBranch to turn into massive explosion fueled by coal dust. Masseyinsists natural gas flooded the mine and overwhelmed safeguards.
Crutchfield indicated that Alpha intends to resolve the matterquickly. Discussions with regulators started as soon as the deal wasannounced, he said.
"It was a tragic event and our heart continues to go out to thefamilies and all those affected by that," Crutchfield said. "What wewould hope is for resolution of the matter in the foreseeablefuture."
United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts praised Alpha for"erasing the Massey name" from the industry. The UMW representsabout 1,500 workers at Alpha and far fewer at Massey.
"Massey had come to represent all that was wrong with the coalindustry, whether it be safety and health issues, environmentalissues or simple respect for its workers, their families and thecommunities where they live," Roberts said in a statement. "While byno means perfect, Alpha's overall safety record is better thanMassey's."
Massey's board unanimously favored the offer over a managementproposal that would have allowed the company to remain independent,Massey Chief Executive Baxter Phillips said. Massey investors wouldown 46 percent of the combined company.
"The board's decision was to take the bird in hand," Phillipssaid.
The deal requires approval from shareholders and the FederalTrade Commission, which will review it for antitrust concerns.
Alpha officials anticipate no antitrust issues.
"Customers have lots of choices, lots of options, so we feel verygood about the FTC process and would expect to start moving forwardon that imminently," Crutchfield said.
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