ABOUT
About
Our Mission
Building on a legacy of responsible mining, we innovate and diversify to provide essential resources, empower communities, and champion environmental sustainability.
Our Vision
To be the world’s most respected and responsible diversified natural resources company, setting the standard for sustainable practices, community partnerships, and innovation.
ALMOST A CENTURY OF SERVICE
Timeline
1935
H.E. Drummond began the H.E. Drummond Coal Company in Sipsey, Alabama, as a coal provider for farms and households. He took a loan for $300 from Walker County Bank in Jasper, Alabama, using three mules as collateral on the note.1956
H.E. Drummond passed away and his coal company was passed to the second generation of Drummond family members. Don Drummond was named president, and Segal Drummond was named the VP of sales and finance. The company was financed through a $50,000 life insurance payment and a $240,000 small business association loan.1961
Garry Drummond graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in civil engineering. He was the first engineer employed at Drummond. (The company now employs more than 325 engineers.)1960-1970
Annual production grew from 200,000 annual tons to 1,500,000 annual tons. Drummond Company purchased Kellerman Mining Co. and established our first sales agreement with Japan.1973
Garry Drummond was named CEO.1976
Drummond signed a two-million annual-ton contract for 15 years with Alabama Power for Plant Miller. To fulfill this contract, the company purchased three 115 cubic yard draglines.1985
Drummond purchased control of ABC Corporation to add coke production to the portfolio of services.1986
Drummond acquired its first Colombian Coal Concession, which eventually became Pribbenow Mine.1992
Drummond purchased Caballo Rojo mine in Wyoming from Mobil and relocated a 115-cubic-yard dragline from Short Creek Mine. Annual production increased from eight million to 17 million tons.1993-1995
Drummond Company expanded operations into Colombia and began construction of a mine and port. The first international coal production occurred in 1995.1997-2009
In 1997, Drummond acquired El Descanso mining concession, which included more than 1.7 billion tons of reserves. Drummond initiated the production phase for El Descanso Block in 2009 after completion of all due diligence and land preparation.2011
ITOCHU Corporation became a 20% partner in Drummond’s Colombian operations.2014
On March 31, 2014, Drummond Company carried out its first shipment of coal using the direct ship loading system. With two ship loaders, Puerto Drummond now has an installed capacity of 60 million tons per year.2016
On July 13, 2016, Garry Neil Drummond passed away. Mr. Drummond was chairman and chief executive officer of Drummond Company for over 40 years and was considered an iconic leader and entrepreneur in the coal and mining industry in the United States and South America.2019
On November 1, 2019, Richard Mullen was named the new chief executive officer of the company. Mr. Mullen was previously the president of mining.2021
On February 4, 2021, ITOCHU Coal Americas, Inc. agreed to terms to transfer its 20% member interest in Drummond International, LLC to Drummond Company. This transaction continues to demonstrate Drummond Company's long-term commitment to operating in Colombia and providing high-quality low-sulfur coal to our customers throughout the world.
To the Future
At Drummond Company, sustainability has several different meanings and all definitions are equally important.
First and foremost, Drummond Company is committed to sustaining the environment by finding new, innovative ways to reduce our environmental footprint. EIA figures show that coal consumption will increase both domestically and internationally to meet rising electricity demand during the next several decades, providing the US and other countries with indigenous energy resources. As coal use grows, Drummond is committed to deploying a new generation of advanced technologies to further reduce environmental impact. We are leading the way in sustainability efforts through our environmental management program focused on prevention, mitigation, and compensation for the environmental and social effects created by coal mining and transportation activities.
We make every effort to ensure the rational and efficient use of the natural resources needed to carry out our work. According to the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, the next decade offers opportunities to gain knowledge and early operating experience that can lead to widespread deployment of new, advanced coal-use technologies. Improved efficiency and environmental performance of coal-generated electricity such as integrated gasification combined cycle, ultra-supercritical pulverized coal and oxy fuel plants will be utilized to improve the environmental performance of coal-based electricity generation. At Drummond, we are committed to this future. Our Colombian steam coal meets worldwide sulfur regulations and is also very low in mono-nitrogen oxides emissions, which is highly desirable to utility plants required to lower these emissions.
For our customers, we are committed to sustaining our reserves and our production quantities to ensure adequate and dependable product supply. The characteristics of Drummond’s Colombian coal compare favorably with those of other internationally marketed steam coals. Our coal is one of the lowest sulfur and ash coals currently exported from Colombia. To capitalize on this fact, we have invested significant resources in production infrastructure, which has allowed us to increase our Colombian exports of one million metric tons in 1995 to over 30 million metric tons today. Additionally, we maintain coal reserves of over 2 billion tons.
To Customers
Drummond Company has more than 85 years of coal mining experience in the United States and more than 25 years of experience in Colombia. Our rigorous quality controls ensure that our customers’ specifications are consistently met.
At Drummond Company, we value every relationship we have built, and we are unwilling to compromise our commitment to each and every customer. Through our extensive quality control program, reliable delivery, excellent service, and superior products, we have built our reputation for customer service in both the domestic and international coal markets.
Additionally, as utilities face more stringent environmental requirements, consumption of Drummond Company coal is a lower-cost compliance strategy for unscrubbed units and a lower operating cost strategy for scrubbed units.