Belle Ayr Mine
Owner
Foundation Coal
Mine Contact
Tom J. Lien (VP and GM), (307) 687-3460, 2273 Bishop Road, Gillette, WY 82718-9356
Location
18 miles southeast of Gillette, Wyoming in Campbell County
Rail Loading Point
Belle Ayr Mine, Wyoming
Background on Mine
Belle Ayr is the oldest non-captive mine in the PRB. Coal production began in 1972, and the mine has produced and shipped over 325 million tons to date.
Mine Type
Open pit/Truck/Shovel
Recoverable Reserves
Approximately 500 million tons remaining
Annual Production (1996)
19,970,300 tons
Current Annual Production Capacity
23 million tons
Rail Loading Point Storage Capacity
61,000 tons
Loadout Description and/or Configuration
Batch weigh system with silo gravity feed back-up.
Weighing System
Batch weigh system and coupled-in-motion track scales.
System Used to Assure Maximum Loading Per Car
Batch system
Loading Rate per Hour
7,000 tons
Storage Recharge Rate
6,000 tons per hour
Load Track Configuration and Capacity
Loop track, two train capacity
Loading Mode
Load in motion
Maximum Cars Per Train
135+ cars
Washing Capability
None
Coal Specifications
Sub-bituminous coal, 8,550 Btu/lb., 0.31% Sulphur
| proximate analysis (%) | |
| Received: | |
| Moisture | 29. 9 |
| Ash | 4.6 |
| Volatile Matter | 31.5 |
| Fixed Carbon | 34.7 |
| Fusion Temperature of ash (°F) | |
| Softening (H=W) | 2,170 |
| other characteristics | |
| Hardgrove Grindability Index | 57 |