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About Us > History
Drummond has an impressive history of developing and acquiring new sources of production,
implementing new mining technology, and opening new markets for its products.
The company began in 1935, with the vision of H.E. Drummond, an entrepreneur who
made the decision to enter the coal business in his native Sipsey, Alabama.
Upon H.E. Drummond’s death in 1956, the business was carried on by his sons, who
built upon their father's vision for the Company. By the early 1970’s, Drummond
entered the export coal market and quickly became an industry leader, with foreign
sales offices opening shortly thereafter.
A decade later, Drummond Company, Inc. undertook a sizeable capital expansion program
to establish itself as the largest surface mining company in Alabama. This was quickly
followed by the acquisition of Alabama By-Products Corporation. Simultaneously,
Drummond's land management activities led the Company, through joint ventures, into
real estate development in Florida, California and Alabama.
Recognizing that there were significant opportunities in the low-cost, low-sulfur
coal markets in Colombia, a decision was made in the late 1980’s to expand offshore
and secured extensive mining rights there. La Loma production commenced in
1995. Since then, Drummond has continued to obtain the rights to additional
Colombian coal reserves. El Descanso was acquired in 1997, and in 2003 the
Rincon Hondo and Similoa reserve areas, also known as the Dupela project, were acquired.
These additional reserves, which have similar BTU’s to that of La Loma, have made
Drummond one of the two largest miners of Colombian coal. This has positioned
Drummond as a major long term competitor in the international coal market, with
over two billion tons of reserves positioned strategically relative to key power
generation markets in the U.S. and Europe.
H.E. Drummond's entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic and vision for the Company continue
today in the aspirations of all Drummond employees.
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