The Black Thunder Coal Mine is a surface coal mine near Wright, in Campbell County, Wyoming. It is located in the Powder River Basin, which contains one of the world’s largest coal deposits. The Black Thunder Coal Mine was opened in 1977 under the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) until Arch Coal acquired it in 1998. Thunder Basin Coal Company, a subsidiary of Arch Coal, operates the mine.
Since its operations began, the Black Thunder Coal Mine has produced more than three billion tons of coal. The mine produces 4 tons of coal per second, and 20-25 coal trains per day, accounting for about 25% of Wyoming’s total coal production. In 2009, Black Thunder acquired Jacobs Ranch Mine to become the world’s top coal producer, with the highest output of an estimated 115 million tons in 2010. The world’s demand for coal has been on the decline and so is the company’s coal production. In 2022, Black Thunder produced about 62.2 million tons of coal, and is still among the largest coal producers in the country.
Black Thunder applies computer-controlled processes, including precision load-out systems and high-tech, near-pit crushing and conveying systems. The mining process uses six draglines to strip the 15-75m of overburden. Black Thunder has the world’s third largest $50M dragline, the Ursa Major, a Bucyrus-Erie (B-E) 2570WS model weighing 6,700t.
The coal is excavated and blasted by electric-powered shovels into haul trucks. It is then hauled to a near-pit dump and crusher station, and then fed into a 3.5km-long overland conveyor to the coal storage and loadout silos of 912,700t and 82,000t slot storage. Eventually, it is transferred into a system that feeds twin rail load-outs with capacities of 4,100t/h and 10,800t/h serviced by Burlington Northern and Union Pacific rail systems.
The topsoil removed during the mining process is stored for use during restoration. About 20% and 30% of the coal overburden is moved to the final position through cast blasting, and the remainder is handled by the draglines. The Black Thunder’s active mine footprint comprises approximately 25 square miles (60 square km).
Black Thunder’s proven and probable coal reserves were estimated at 747.7Mt as of 2019. The coal seams are 60 to 80 feet thick and relatively shallow (about 100 to 400 feet below the land surface). The mine produces high-quality, low-sulfur, sub-bituminous coal that does not require processing before its use as power station fuel. The Black Thunder’s coal heating value is 20.3MJ/kg, 5% ash content, and 25–30% “as received” moisture content.
File a Black Lung Claim
Black Thunder has employed thousands since its inception in 1977. The reported number of Black Thunder employees has fluctuated over the years with 575 employees in 2001, 1600 workers in 2009, 899 miners in 2021, and about 1057 in 2024. Coal miners are exposed to harmful coal dust containing other toxic elements such as silica. Prolonged exposure to these components is associated with respiratory problems collectively termed “the Black Lung diseases”. Coal miners who were totally disabled by the Black Lung disease and their survivors can file for benefits through the Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation, under the Black Lung Benefits Act of 1972. Black Lung Benefits include monthly payouts and medical benefits. Mining companies and insurers pay these benefits as well as legal fees for the lawyers representing eligible miners whose claims are successful.
Are you or a loved one affected by black lung disease? Did you work as a miner at Black Thunder Coal Mine? Contact Black lung attorney Hugh Stephens to help you file a claim for benefits or assist you through the black lung claim process.