Black Thunder
Owner
Mine Contact
Paul Lang (307) 939-1300
Location
Southern Powder River Basin (12 miles southeast of Wright, Wyoming in Campbell County).
Rail Loading Point
Thunder Junction, Wyoming
Background on Mine
Black Thunder is one of the largest coal mine in the United States and is situated in one of the country's richest coal regions. Coal production was more than 67 million tons in 2001. The coal seam averages 69 feet in thickness. Total remaining reserves are approximately one billion tons. First shipment was in December 1977.
Mine Type
Dragline
Recoverable Reserves
750 million tons
Annual Production (Projected 2002)
67 million tons
Current Annual Production Capacity
70 million tons
Rail Loading Point Storage Capacity
126,000 tons
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Loadout Description and/or Configuration
Two high-speed unit train loadouts. Two silos and slot storage.
Weighing System
Three state-of-the-art batch loadout systems.
System Used to Assure Maximum Loading Per Car
Ramsey Weigh Bin System. Premeasured batch quantities sized to car capacity.
Loading Rate per Hour
12,000 tons (6000 tons per loop).
Storage Recharge Rate
12,000 tons per hour.
Load Track Configuration and Capacity
Two loop tracks, two loadouts; can hold four unit trains on track.
Loading Mode
Batch loadouts
Maximum Cars Per Train
135 cars
Washing Capability
None
Coal Specifications
Sub-bituminous coal 8,800 Btu/lb., 0.32% Sulphur
| composition analysis (%) | |
| Moisture | 27.0 |
| Ash | 5.5 |
| Volatile Matter | 29-35 |
| Fixed Carbon | 31.5-37.5 |
| Fusion Temperature of ash (°F) | |
| Initial Deformation | 2,100-2,170 |
| Fluid | 2,100-2,310 |