Type of Mine: Surface Lignite
Coal Formation: Wilcox Formation
Average Seam Thickness: 3 feet
Average Depth: 85 feet

Average Coal Quality (As received):
Heat Content - 6,448 BTUs/lb
Sulfur - 0.79%
Ash - 18.2%
Moisture - 32%

The Sabine Mining Company, whose parent company is North American Coal Corp., operates (long-term contract) the South Hallsville No. 1.

Located just outside of Hallsville, Sabine Mining Company’s expansion has led to more than 70,000 acres under permit across two northeastern Texas counties. Work was originally confined to Harrison County, but now has spread into Rusk County. Mongeon estimated that the mine’s operations open up roughly 400 acres per year. Lignite harvesting and reclamation efforts occur simultaneously.

The South Hallsville No. 1 Mine - dragline operation with 4 draglines.

Electrical power for the Sabine dragline operating in the South Marshall permit area is provided by Southwestern Electric Power Company. Electrical power for the draglines operating in Sabine's Rusk permit area is provided by Rusk County Electric Co-op.

Komatsu excavators and rigid-frame haul trucks play key roles in the pre-stripping process. Sabine Mining Company recently added the world’s first Tier 4 Final PC2000-11. Equipped with a 19-yard bucket, operators use the new hydraulic excavator to load 150-ton HD1500-5 trucks in seven to eight passes, depending on material.

Once oxidized material is removed, Sabine Mining Company moves its dragline in to take larger bites of earth to quickly uncover the seams – which can be up to 100-feet deep or more.

General description
Overburden, the material between the surface of the land and the coal seam, is removed using draglines, dozers and/or trucks and shovels, including electric rope shovels. Coal is then extracted and loaded onto haul trucks using surface miners, excavators, dozers, scrapers, backhoes and other machinery and equipment. Coal is taken to a stockpile or delivered directly to customers via conveyor or short haul rail. After mining, draglines and/or trucks and shovels are used to backfill the overburden that was removed at the beginning of the process to allow for site reclamation.