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Operations

Wyodak is a surface coal mine set up as a mine-mouth operation. That means that the coal produced at the mine is shipped directly to the adjacent power plant customers.

A surface coal mine removes the relatively shallow soils above the mineral resource. First, we remove and stockpile topsoil ahead of the mine advance. Topsoil removal and stockpiling is essential because reclamation efforts use this material to re-establish native environments after mining.

After the topsoil’s removed, overburden (the soil and rock above the coal seam) is blasted and removed. At Wyodak, there is approximately 200 feet of overburden on top of the coal. Four overburden benches, each about 50 feet tall, are advanced to uncover the coal resource. Electric shovels remove the overburden from these benches, and large end-dump haul trucks carry the overburden to the spoils where it’s used to build post-mining topography.

After we remove the overburden, we blast the coal seam to fragment the coal for safe and efficient digging. We use front-end loaders to mine the coal. The loaders place the coal into an in-pit crusher. It’s then transported by conveyor to the adjacent power plant complex.

Wyodak’s coal seam is approximately 80 feet thick, and average daily production is between 11,000 and 12,000 tons.

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Did You Know?

Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically, 44 percent of your energy bill goes for heating and cooling. Reducing use here saves you money on your utility bill.

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Rapid City Corporate Headquarters Black Hills Corporation

7001 Mount Rushmore Road Rapid City, SD 57702

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We're Improving Life with Energy by strengthening our communities through growth and development opportunities. That’s why we have a planning team focused on building strong partnerships with diverse businesses. Read more about economic development and our supplier diversity program network.

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Black Hills Corporation offers employees the opportunity for something more than a job. We provide challenging, exciting work that makes a profound difference in the lives of others. Find a job with Black Hills today.

Improving Life With Energy

Every day, we want to be “improving life with energy.” We produce, market and deliver the vital electricity, coal, oil and natural gas that our customers need. Through our efforts, products and services, we also share our personal energy to strengthen our communities and support growth and development.

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