Belle Ayr Mine
As of 2009, Belle Ayr had reserves of 406 mm tons of sub-bituminous coal and a maximum permitted production capacity of 45mm tons per year. Typical annual production has been in 26-28mm ton range for the last several years though. The average quality of the coal shipped from Belle Ayr is 8,550 BTU/lb, 0.33% Sulfur, 4.50% Ash, and 1.90% Sodium (of the ash). Train loading operations at the mine are done with a batch weigh bin system that is coupled to a "weigh-in-motion" track scale system. Silo capacity at the mine's rail loop, which can accommodate up to 5 unit trains, is 46,000 tons. In 2008, the mine produced just over 28.7 million short tons of coal, making it the 7th-most productive coal mine in the United States. In 2022, this had halved to just over 14.2 million short tons. However, this still made it the 6th-most productive coal mine in the US that year.
History
The Belle Ayr Mine began operations in 1972 and is the oldest, non-captive mine in the Powder River Basin. Since mining operations began, the mine has shipped over 574 million tons of coal to its customers. The Belle Ayr mine has changed hands many times through mergers and sales. Previous owners include AMAX, Cyprus AMAX, RAG, and Foundation Coal.
In 2007, Belle Ayr was awarded a Director's Award from the Office of Surface Mining for its restoration work on Caballo Creek, which winds its way through the Belle Ayr Mine property.
On July 1, 2019, CEO Jeffery Hoop announced that Blackjewel LLC, the operator of Belle Ayr had filed for bankruptcy and closed the mine. According to the Casper Star-Tribune, court documents show that Blackjewel owes $500 million in liabilities, including $6 million to employees. This was after Blackjewel was denied $20 million in financing by the United Bank of West Virginia.
Production
| Year | Coal Production (short tons) |
Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 14,257,882 | 255 |
| 2021 | 14,449,608 | 256 |
| 2020 | 11,174,953 | 252 |
| 2019 | 10,219,206 | 207 |
| 2018 | 18,467,405 | 252 |
| 2017 | 15,826,344 | 244 |
| 2016 | 14,883,227 | 241 |
| 2015 | 18,318,629 | 286 |
| 2014 | 15,796,556 | 263 |
| 2013 | 18,258,922 | 301 |
| 2012 | 24,227,846 | 350 |
| 2011 | 24,582,007 | 351 |
| 2010 | 25,766,025 | 353 |
| 2009 | 28,655,953 | 352 |
| 2008 | 28,707,982 | 328 |
| 2007 | 26,608,765 | 280 |
| 2006 | 24,593,035 | 256 |
| 2005 | 19,469,814 | 259 |
| 2004 | 18,688,358 | 259 |
| 2003 | 17,853,928 | 260 |
| 2002 | 17,452,455 | 235 |
| 2001 | 11,750,497 | 219 |
| 2000 | 11,750,497 | 249 |
| 1999 | 15,016,000 | 253 |
| 1998 | 17,885,338 | 280 |
| 1997 | 22,800,736 | 280 |
| 1996 | 19,970,300 | 261 |
| 1995 | 18,771,977 | 224 |
| 1994 | 18,361,866 | 239 |
| 1993 | 15,585,828 | 230 |
| 1992 | 13,007,761 | 233 |
| 1991 | 14,748,327 | 240 |
| 1990 | 15,524,782 | 241 |
| 1989 | 13,662,836 | 244 |
| 1988 | 13,295,487 | 275 |
| 1987 | 13,329,591 | 347 |
| 1986 | 12,145,894 | 361 |
| 1985 | 12,829,379 | 371 |
| 1984 | 13,379,844 | 381 |
| 1983 | 13,825,242 | 404 |
| 1982 | 14,800,000 | |
| 1981 | 15,100,000 | |
| 1980 | 15,900,000 | |
| 1979 | 15,000,000 | |
| 1978 | 17,800,000 | |
| 1977 | 13,100,000 | |
| 1976 | 7,100,000 | |
| 1975 | 2,500,000 | |
| 1974 | 2,700,000 | |
| 1973 | 400,000 | |
| 1972 | 100,000 |
References
- ^ "MSHA Mine ID 4800732". Retrieved 2024-01-08.
- ^ Johnson, Greg (October 21, 2019). "Done deal: Eagle Specialty Materials is new owner of Belle Ayr, Eagle Butte mines". Gilette News Record. Gilette. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "Mine Guide" (PDF). BNSF website. BNSF. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-11-21. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
- ^ "Major U.S. Coal Mines, 2008". Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy. September 2009. Archived from the original on 11 June 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
- ^ "Major U.S. Coal Mines, 2022" (PDF). Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy. October 3, 2023. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
- ^ "UP: Belle Ayr Mine". Union Pacific website. Union Pacific. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
- ^ "Belle Ayr Mine Receives Reclamation Award". Business Wire. Business Wire. September 19, 2007. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
- ^ "Two Wyoming coal mines close, idling 700 workers". The Hill. July 2, 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
- ^ "Belle Ayr Data". Wyoming Mining Association. June 13, 2010. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
- ^ "Powder River Basin Operations and Process Management" (PDF). Foundation Coal West. May 30, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2012. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
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