Coal Mine Directory

Jacobs Ranch

Owner

Rio Tinto Energy/America

Mine Contact

Ron Crispin (307) 464-5501

Location

50 miles southeast of Gillette, Wyoming

Rail Loading Point

Jacobs Junction, Wyoming

Background on Mine

Coal production at Jacobs Ranch mine began in 1978. By the end of 1996 over 283 million tons had been mined. Approximately 3,400 acres of federally-owned sub-bituminous coal are under lease. The coal appears in three seams: the Upper Wyodak, Middle Wyodak and Lower Wyodak. A shovel-truck method is used to mine the coal. The coal preparation plant is a single-stage (primary-secondary) crushing facility with storage for unit train loadout in seven silos. Coal sampling and analysis is performed in accordance with ASTM standards, with the laboratory run by the independent testing firm of Standard Laboratories, Inc. Quality assurance is maintained with a layer-loading system designed to ensure that each car's coal quality will meet customer specifications. The mine has the capability for sodium addition, and can apply side release agents and dust suppression chemicals as well.

Mine Type

Surface

Recoverable Reserves

250 million tons (as of June 1997)

Current Annual Production Capacity

35 million tons

Loadout Description and/or Configuration

A high-volume automated layer-loading system using multiple silos for blending to maintain uniform coal quality.

Weighing System

Coupled-in-motion axle weighing scales augmented by a top-loading system.

System Used to Assure Maximum Loading Per Car

Precision loading is capable of loading each car to a maximum gross allowable weight within 500 pounds.

Loading Rate per Hour

11,000 tons

Load Track Configuration and Capacity

Dual railroad track loops, with capability to load two trains simultaneously.

Maximum Cars Per Train

140 cars

Coal Specifications

Sub-bituminous coal, 8,686 Btu/lb., 0.430% Sulphur