Peabody Energy Says Its Sole Focus On Current Platform

(RTTNews) - Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU) said that its sole focus is on the current platform, the incident at North Goonyella in Australia, and completing and integrating the Shoal Creek Mine acquisition in Alabama.

Peabody said, "While we don't generally comment as a matter of policy on rumors regarding the purchase or sale of assets, our sole focus is on the current platform, the incident at North Goonyella in Australia, and completing and integrating the Shoal Creek Mine acquisition in Alabama."

Earlier today, the Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. miner Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU) has held discussions to buy Colombian peer Drummond International LLC.

The potential deal would see Peabody acquire 80% of Drummond International, Colombia's top coal exporter, leaving the remaining 20% in the hands of Japanese trading house Itochu Corp., the Journal reported. The deal could be valued at between $4 billion and $4.5 billion, the report said. Itochu paid $1.5 billion for the 20% stake in Drummond in 2011.