One of the most productive mines in the U.S., the Buckskin Mine produces more than 27 million tons of coal per year from the Anderson and Canyon Seams located within the Fort Union Formation. Since 1981, Buckskin has shipped more than 406 million tons of high-quality, low sulfur coal from the Southern Powder River Basin.

More than 70 million cubic yards of overburden are moved annually to uncover the 110-foot-thick coal seam.

Coal is currently produced at the Buckskin Mine from two coal seams, the Anderson and the Canyon. The blasting and shovel/truck fleet methods used to remove overburden are also used to recover the coal. Exposed coal seams are cleaned with a dozer, drilled, and blasted to facilitate efficient excavation. Coal is loaded with electric-powered shovels or hydraulic excavators into off-highway haul trucks for transport to the coal preparation plant.

The use of multiple silos, in-pit crushing and an on-line quality analyzer allow crews to complete sophisticated blending techniques and produce a “super compliant” fuel that meets customers' exact specifications.