By Cecilia Jamasmie US coal producer Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU), the world’s largest privately owned producer of the fossil fuel, said Friday it had agreed to buy Shoal Creek metallurgical coal mine in central Alabama from Drummond Co. for $400 million. Located on the Black Warrior river, the mine serves the Asian and European steel mills with high-vol A coking coal. The transaction involves the purchase of the mine, preparation plant and supporting assets, excluding legacy liabilities other than reclamation.