Overview
| Stage | Production |
| Mine Type | Open Pit |
| Commodities |
|
| Mining Method |
- Truck & Shovel / Loader
- Dragline
|
Source:
BNI Energy, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE-ALE), owns and operates BNI Coal, ?enter mine.
Mining Methods
- Truck & Shovel / Loader
- Dragline
Summary:
In areas of thick overburden, a hydraulic excavator and a fleet of end dump trucks are used to remove part of the overburden prior to dragline operations. The excavator and truck overburden removal step was introduced into BNI’s mining process in 2012.
The primary overburden removal tool at the Center Mine is the dragline. These machines can remove overburden up to 120’ thick and place it in piles 140’ high. The buckets of these draglines are larger than a typical school bus. They are powered with electricity produced from the same lignite they uncover.
Summary:
After the lignite has been uncovered with the dragline, it must be broken into smaller pieces before it can be hauled to the power plant. This operation is done with bulldozers. The bulldozers at BNI are equipped with a large ripper shank built specifically for breaking coal into pieces small enough to be placed into BNI’s haul trucks.
Production:
| Commodity | Product | Units | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
|
Coal (thermal)
|
ROM coal
|
tons
| ......  | | | | | | |
|
Coal (thermal)
|
|
tons
| | 4,256,867 | 4,288,404 | 4,296,307 | 4,393,986 | 3,975,634 | 3,728,709 |
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Operational Metrics:
| Metrics | 2019 |
|
Raw coal annual capacity
| ...... |
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Reserves at December 31, 2019:
| Category | Tonnage | Commodity |
|
Proven & Probable
|
650 M tons
|
Coal (thermal)
|
Financials:
| | Units | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|
After-tax Income
|
M USD
| ...... | 6.8 | 4.5 |
6.8
|
6.7
|
6.1
|
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Heavy Mobile Equipment as of December 31, 2019:
| HME Type | Model | Quantity | Leased or
Contractor |
|
Dragline
|
.......................
|
1
|
|
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Corporate Filings & Presentations:
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Aerial view:
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