The honest answer is yet to be seen; however, my opinion is the entire deal will fall through on 11 August 2011.
The coal from Samuel Coal Company is no more special or different than can be obtained elsewhere in KY or many other coal producing states.
First we do not have the requirements of the coal from the foreign buyer. In order to say that this coal is worth the premium we would need these requirements PLUS we would need to know the testing results of the coal from this 'abandoned' mine.
Secondly the coal is not going to be directly purchased from the operator of the mine by the foreign buyer. The foreign buyer will get a contract with a broker and get it cheaper.
Third as you pointed out - the coal will not be separated out once it gets to the shipping terminal. You are correct, it will be offloaded, stockpiled, and shipped.
It is interesting how much support this has but I think you have the same opinion I do in terms of this not being believable.
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