Warrior Met Coal announced that the Bureau of Land Management awarded the company two new federal coal leases on January 13, 2026. The leases cover roughly 13,900 acres in Alabama and contain an estimated 53.2 million short tons of recoverable metallurgical coal reserves, adding more than 50 % to the company’s existing resource base.
The first lease, covering 8,300 acres, is tied to Blue Creek Mine No. 1 and is estimated to hold 36.3 million short tons of high‑quality, low‑sulfur coal. The second lease, covering 5,700 acres, is linked to Mine No. 4 and contains 16.9 million short tons. Both parcels are positioned to support Warrior’s long‑wall mining operations and to expand the company’s production capacity by up to 6 million short tons per year once the mines are fully developed.
The expansion secures a long‑term supply of premium metallurgical coal, reinforcing Warrior’s competitive moat in a market where high‑quality reserves are scarce. It also supports the company’s Blue Creek mine, which is expected to operate for more than 40 years, and is projected to create over 500 new jobs in Alabama. Warrior’s low debt‑to‑equity ratio of 0.11 and its use of existing long‑wall technology make the development capital‑efficient, allowing the company to grow without significant new debt and to weather cyclical price swings.
"We are honored to receive these leases and appreciate the thorough review and public engagement conducted by the Bureau of Land Management. This expansion will allow us to continue supplying high‑quality metallurgical coal to global markets while creating hundreds of good‑paying jobs and supporting the local economy," said Walt Scheller, CEO of Warrior Met Coal. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum added, "This lease sale is another example of how the Department of the Interior is delivering on President Trump’s commitment to unleash American energy, strengthen rural economies, and secure fair returns for the American people."
Analysts have responded to the announcement by revising their outlooks. Moody’s upgraded Warrior’s rating outlook to positive, citing the company’s strong execution on the Blue Creek mine and the new lease’s long‑term supply security. UBS also raised its price target, reflecting confidence in Warrior’s ability to capitalize on the expanded resource base and maintain its low‑cost, high‑quality product profile.
The lease expansion positions Warrior Met Coal to sustain its leadership in the metallurgical coal market, enhance its production capacity, and reinforce its financial flexibility. By securing a substantial, high‑quality reserve base and leveraging existing infrastructure, the company is set to deliver continued value to its stakeholders while supporting local economic development.
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