PEABODY HOLDING COMPLETES ACQUISITION
<Peabody Holding Co Inc> said it has
completed its acquisition of substantially all Eastern Gas and
Fuel Associate's <EFU> coal properties for 15.01 pct of Peabody
Holding's stock.
    Peabody said the purchase includes seven underground mines
and seven coal preparation plants currently operated by
Eastern, as well as coal properties being mined by several
contractors in West Virginia.
    The acquisition also involves about 800 mln tons of coal
reserves, mostly in West Va., and includes Eastern's coal
reserves and inactive Powderhorn operations near Palisade,
Colo, Peabody said.
    Peabody added that it expects to announce within the next
week how it will staff and operate the properties and offices
it has acquired from Eastern.
 Reuter
