March 1970 – United Coal Company began operations as a small coal contractor in surface mining.
September 1971 – United acquired its first rail loading facilities known as Wellmore #1 and Wellmore #3.
October 1971 – National Collieries Inc. was formed as a sales agency for United.
November 1972 – Wellmore #2 was acquired from Wise County Coal.
March 1973 – Wellmore #4 was acquired from Leetown Coal.
May 1973 – Star Coal Company was purchased.
November 1973 – United purchased assets of Buchanan County Coal Corporation in Big Rock, Virginia.
February 1974 – United began its retail sales division – United Supply Company and Unite, Inc.
April 1975 – Wellmore acquired Riverside Coal Company, which operates on the Ohio River.
December 1975 – Wellmore #7, an ultra-modern preparation plant with full cleaning facilities, began operation.
October 1976 – United acquired properties and assets of Sullins College in Bristol, Virginia. United’s corporate offices have been headquartered there since September 1978.
February 1977 – United purchased its first Belfry operation in Burnwell, Kentucky, known as Belfry #1.
August 1977 – United purchased Crystal Coal Corporation in Big Rock, Virginia, known as Wellmore #14.
December 1977 – United purchased Dunavant Enterprises in Hatfield, Kentucky, known as Belfry #2.
February 1978 – United purchased Dal-Tex Coal Corporation, Sharples, West Virginia.
June 1978 – Wellmore #8 began operation.
February 1979 – United purchased White Ash Mining, known as Belfry #3.
November 1979 – United acquired Turquoise Mining Corporation in Paintsville, Kentucky, known as Belfry #4.