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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 reserves of Colombia, a decision was made in the late 1980’s to expand offshore
and Drummond secured extensive mining rights there. Mina Pribbenow 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 BTUs to that of Mina Pribbenow, 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 Europe and the United States.
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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