Our Mine Operations

One of the facets making Western Fuels unique from other coal buyers is WFA is also a coal producer. To secure long term stable pricing and supply of fuel for WFA’s members WFA manages three coal mines. The Dry Fork Mine in Gillette, WY, the Colowyo Mine in Craig, CO and the New Horizon Mine in Nucla, CO. These three mines provide a hedge against market forces giving our members expanded choices when selecting their fuel sources.

Western Fuels manages – Dry Fork Mine in Gillette, Wyoming, Colowyo Mine near Craig, Colorado and New Horizon Mine in Nucla, Colorado.

Considering the growing importance of coal to electric utilities, WFA will continue to employ the latest advances in mining technology and rely upon its experienced workers to help ensure its Members continue to enjoy a reliable supply of coal.

Dry Fork Mine – Gillette, Wyoming

Western Fuels Association manages the Dry Fork Mine, which is owned by Western Fuels-Wyoming. Dry Fork produces approximately 6 million tons of coal annually. Customers include Basin Electric’s Laramie River Station in Wheatland, WY, the newly constructed Dry Fork Station located at the Dry Fork Mine, and Leland Olds Station in Stanton, ND. Other customers include Pacific Corps’ Dave Johnston Station in east-central WY, and Texas Municipal Power Agency’s Gibbons Creek Station near College Station, TX. With a total reserve base in excess of 250 million tons, Dry Fork’s customers are guaranteed a long term affordable fuel source.

Colowyo Mine - Craig, Colorado

The Colowyo Mine is the newest addition to the Western Fuels family. In September of 2011 Western Fuels-Colorado, LLC entered into an agreement with Rio Tinto Energy America to purchase the Colowyo Mine. The sale was finalized on December 1^st, 2011. Colowyo currently produces approximately 2.2 million tons of coal annually. All production is currently used to fill existing contracts with WFA Member Tri-State Generation and Transmission’s Craig Station in Craig, CO. With vast reserves available at Colowyo Western Fuels looks forward to maximizing Colowyo’s potential for the benefit of Tri-State and the exceptional employees at the mine.

New Horizon Mine – Nucla, Colorado

Western Fuels Association manages the New Horizon Mine for Western Fuels-Colorado, LLC. The New Horizon Mine is the exclusive supplier of coal to the Nucla Station, a 100-megawatt power plant owned by Tri-State Generation & Transmission in southwest Colorado. WFA is currently permitting a new mine in Nucla to replace the New Horizon Mine once reserves there are depleted in 2013.