Coal mining in Wyoming
Wyoming has been the largest producer of coal in the United States since 1986. At this point in time, around 40% of the nation's coal comes from Wyoming. Coal mining has long been a significant part of Wyoming's economy: in 2011 Wyoming's coal mines employed 7,000 people; a high was reached in 1981 when 38,500 Wyomingites were recorded as being employed in the mining industry. Most of Wyoming's coal mines are in the northeastern part of the state, especially Campbell County. More than 88% of the state's coal production was contributed by mines in the northeast in 1996. Five ports in Washington and Oregon are considering building export terminals to ship coal to Asia, the coal would come from Wyoming and Montana and be shipped to the Northwest via train.[1][2] Wyoming has 42 billion tons of reserve recoverable coal, and 1.4 trillion tons total that could become a reserve in the future. Most of the coal from Wyoming is sub-bituminous coal which burns at around 8400–8800 BTUs per pound.
Disasters
On June 30, 1903 coal gas ignited in the Chimney Springs mine, killing 169 of the miners. In 1908, the same mine exploded again, trapping 18 miners inside. The state mine inspector and 40 other men entered the mine to rescue the miners, while the men were at work trying to rescue the miners, another explosion occurred, killing all 59 of those inside.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ http://earthfix.opb.org/energy/article/what-wyoming-coal-means-for-the-northwest-the-view/
- ↑ Phuong Le (March 25, 2013). "NW governors ask White House to exam coal exports". The San Francisco Chronicle. Associated Press. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
- ↑ http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/robertshistory/coal_safety_07.htm