Leases and Reserves

Permitted Reserves

Poker Flats Mine
Approximately 27 million tons of coal have been produced at Poker Flats Mine since beginning production in the mid-1970s. Less than a half million tons remain to be mined. As part of the reclamation effort, during the past several years, more than 570 acres of land have been graded, re-contoured and planted with grasses, shrubs and trees.

Two Bull Ridge Mine
During November 2002 the dragline was repositioned from Poker Flats Mine on the south side of Hoseanna Creek to the north side in preparation for mining operations on Two Bull Ridge. More than 40 million tons of coal will be mined from Two Bull Ridge Mine during the next 25 to 30 years. Coal from the Suntrana Formation will be mined at a stripping ratio of 3.5 to 8 cubic yards of overburden to 1 ton of coal and has the same basic characteristics as coal from Poker Flats Mine. Typical thickness of seam number 3 is 18 feet; seam number 4 is 32 feet, and seam number 6 is 21 feet. More than 150 acres have been reclaimed.

Gold Run Pass Mine
UCM is nearing completion of its coal mining activities at Gold Run Pass Mine located 14 miles to the east of the main operations area.  Four of the five phases of operations have already been reclaimed which includes more than 100 acres.

Rosalie Mine
During 2002 UCM was granted permits to mine in the Healy Creek Valley located approximately seven miles southeast of the main operations. Rosalie Mine's mining operation has a very interesting history. The mine has an estimated 6.7 million tons of reserves and an estimated life of 13.5 years. This is the first new surface coal mine permit issued since 1997. During 1956 the grand opening of Rosalie Mine #1 was celebrated with Rosalie Usibelli (later Rosalie Whyel) and her father Emil Usibelli breaking a traditional bottle of champagne. Today Rosalie Whyel is Vice President and board member of Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc.

Future Reserves

Jumbo Dome Mine
The Jumbo Dome Mine is seven miles northeast of Two Bull Ridge and adjacent to UCM's existing properties. This mine enhances the corporate strategy for assuring a long-term, reliable supply of coal for future generations. The 100 million tons of coal in the Jumbo Dome Mine region have the same basic characteristics as the coal in Poker Flats and Two Bull Ridge; however, this area offers an attractive stripping ratio of 2 to 1. The Emma Creek Energy Project was a proposal presented by UCM to local utilities for consideration of a large scale, mine-mouth power plant. The mine site is a short distance, less than three miles, from the Railbelt electrical grid transmission intertie line.

Wishbone Hill Mine
Wishbone Hill is a historic mining area located approximately 40 miles northeast of Anchorage and 10 miles northeast of Palmer, Alaska, near the community of Sutton.  Commercial production of coal in this area began as early as 1916. Emil Usibelli, founder of UCM, first worked in the Sutton area when he came to Alaska in 1935. During June 1997, UCM finalized the purchase of the 7,434 - acre Wishbone Hill Mine. Potentially, surface mineable reserves at Wishbone are estimated at 14 million tons of clean bituminous coal.  Wishbone Hill coal, when washed, has an energy content of 12,200 British Thermal Units (BTU) per pound, a low sulfur content of 0.4% and an ash content of 9%.  Wishbone coal is suitable for sale directly into the domestic and international markets or as a blend with Healy coal. While Wishbone Hill Mine is permitted, UCM has not yet initiated mining activity at the Wishbone Hill location. The Wishbone Hill coal deposits were last mined on a small scale in the early 1980s.

Wishbone Hill Project Information