Usibelli Coal Mine: Overview

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1943, Usibelli Coal Mine is located within the Alaska Range near the town of Healy, has a work force of about 125 employees and operates year-round. Usibelli coal is among the lowest sulfur coal produced in the world. Other environmental benefits include low nitrogen content, a high calcium content and excellent performance characteristics in equipment designed to clean flue-gas emission.

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Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. located in the picturesque Alaska Range has a 55-year history of reliable production, quality service and community support.

For over 50 years of operation, UCM's success in a harsh climate and remote location can be attributed to innovation in its operations. State-of-the-art equipment and modern methods have maximized efficiency. Currently, an average of 1.5 million tons of coal is produced annually. Approximately 750,000 tons per year is used in six Interior Alaska's power plants while an additional 750,000 tons is shipped through the Port of Seward to the Republic of Korea.

In 1997, UCM purchased Wishbone Hill, a bituminous coal deposit located 40 miles northeast of Anchorage, Alaska near the community of Sutton. Surface mineable coal reserves at Wishbone are estimated at 14 million tons, considerably less than at UCM's coal mine in Healy, where surface mineable are in excess of 80 million tons.

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UCM's building complex houses the shop, warehouse, laboratory and offices for engineering and administration.

These two coal deposits will allow Usibelli the ability to blend products to target customers' specifications and open new markets. Both coal deposits are ultra low in sulfur however, the Wishbone coal, when washed, has a much higher heat value.

Usibelli Coal Mine Facts

History

Founded:: 1943 by Emil Usibelli
Incorporated:: 1948, Territory of Alaska

Address

Mine Office: P.O. Box 1000
Healy, Alaska 99743
Phone: (907) 683-2226
Fax: (907) 683-2253
Marketing Department: 100 Cushman Street Suite 210
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701-4659
Phone: (907) 452-2625
Fax: (907) 451-6543

Officers and Directors

Joe Usibelli, Chairman
Joe Usibelli, Jr., President
Rosalie Whyel, Corporate Vice President
Kirk Lanterman, Secretary/Treasurer
Earl Beistline, Director
Marc Langland, Director
Richard Wien, Director
Charlie Boddy, Vice President Governmental Relations
Steve Denton, Vice President Engineering
Rick Hundrup, Vice President Finance
Warren Mattielli, Vice President Operations
John Sims, Vice President Marketing

Customers

Aurora Energy
Clear Air Force Station
Eielson Air Force Base
Fort Wainwright Army Post
Golden Valley Electric Association
R & L Coal Sales
Suneel Alaska Corporation
Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks

Production Record

(Last 10 years, short tons)

1997	1,424,000
1996	1,472,000
1995	1,665,000
1994	1,504,000
1993	1,598,000
1992	1,531,000
1991	1,483,000
1990	1,580,000
1989	1,452,000
1988	1,551,000

Coal Quality

	Healy Mine	Wishbone Hill (washed)
Rank:	Subbituminous C	Bituminious
Heating value:	7,800 Btu/lb	12,200 Btu/lb
Fixed carbon:	30%	46%
Volatile matter:	35%	36%
Moisture:	27%	5%
Ash:	8%	14%
Sulfur:	0.17%	0.41%

Work Force

120 - 125 active in mining operations

Mining Equipment

Excavators:: Bucyrus-Erie 1300W walking dragline, 33 c.y.
O&K RH170C shovel, 26 c.y.
O&K RH120C backhoe, 16 c.y.
O&K RH120C shovel, 16 c.y. (2)
Caterpillar 992 loader
Drill:: Drilltech D60K11, crawler
Dozers:: Caterpillars: D11N, D10 (2), D8N, D4
International Harvester: TD25
Trucks:: Caterpillar 785, 150-ton (4)
Dresser Haulpak, 95-ton (9)
WABCO 85-C, 75-ton (2)
Tipple