How is Wyoming Coal Mined?

Wyoming coal mines produced 432,481,322 million tons of low sulfur coal in 2009 and directly employed 6,822 people. This amount of coal accounts for about 40% of the nation's coal. Wyoming coal is used in 38 states (2008 data) to generate electricity.


Before award-winning reclamation can be planted, the coal must first be mined. However, before coal can be removed from the ground, the topsoil and dirt above the coal has to be removed. The topsoil is removed using scrapers. Generally, the topsoil is removed AHEAD of the pit and carried around BEHIND the pit and placed on reclaimed areas (or backfill). The dirt which lays on top of the coal (or overburden) follows the same pattern. The overburden is approximately 120 feet thick and is excavated in three, 40-foot benches. (See and hear a shovel loading a truck in the video above)
After the overburden has been removed, it is carried around behind the pit and placed in the spot where coal was removed. Now, the coal is exposed and can be dug out. The coal is first blasted to make it easier to remove it. (See and hear a real coal blast in the video below!)

	Mine trucks used in the Wyoming coal industry get bigger and bigger. To the left and right are photographs of a Liebherr 360 ton (327 metric ton) haul truck. This unit is powered by a 2750 horse power engine and weighs 443,000 pounds empty. (These photographs are courtesy of Liebherr Mining Equipment Company.