c. 1942

Emil, with son Joe, on his first Dozer in Suntrana around 1942. This used dozer, along with his logging truck, became the mining equipment utilized for surface mining - a first for coal in Alaska.
(02-043 UCM Archive, Usibelli Family Collection)

Emil & partner T.E. Sanford opened a surface mine in 1943 east of Suntrana, to fulfill a one-year Army contract to supply Ladd Field (later Fort Wainwright) in Fairbanks with coal. This early mining scene shows a creative method of loading a Truck with a Dozer.
(02-054 UCM Archive, Usibelli Family Collection)

1943

The first Usibelli & Sanford (U&S) Crew in the pit with the truck & dozers.
(20-001 UCM Archive, Sanford Family Collection)

1943-48

Innovation was a necessary ingredient to operational success, such as this creative solution for dumping coal from the truck into the tipple.
(20-006 - UCM Archive, Sanford Family Collection)

1943-48

The first U&S Tipple wasn't more than a gravity feed chute at Suntrana to load ARR coal cars. This loading method would occasionally knock the railroad cars over.
(02-058 UCM Archive, Usibelli Family Collection)

1948

Emil, (seated on stove in center), with his Crew, purchases his partner Sanfords's share & Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. (UCM) is incorporated in the Territory of Alaska.
(02-045 UCM Archive, Usibelli Family Collection)