PROJECT UPDATES
Photos by JR Ancheta, UAF UCM donates $75,000 to the UAF Athletics department to provide Nanook athletes with the facilities, training and support they need.
that will reduce particulate emissions by 45 percent. In fact, the new plant has the lowest particulate emissions ever guaranteed by a coal-fired plant manufacturer. On the heels of the University’s celebration, Golden Val- ley Electric Association’s Healy 2 power plant became operational the following month. The addition of the 50-megawatt coal-fired plant to GVEA’s energy mix means Fairbanks ratepayers will see lower electric bills as the utility reduces its costly use of diesel and oil- fired generators. This year, UCM expects to sell 1.1 million tons of coal to its six power plant customers. The mine re- cently added a 35-yard front-end-loader, a CAT 994K, that is used to excavate dirt and mine coal. The com- bination of modern mining equipment and a talented workforce has allowed UCM to set production records while still protecting safety. In early January, the mine surpassed its sec- ond-best safety record of 703 days without a lost time accident. The mine sponsors a program—called “Ev- eryday Safety—At Work. At Home. At Play.”— which aims to build a culture of safety both on and off the job. In 2019, UCM employees hope to surpass the all-time safety record of 797 days without a lost time incident.
Usibelli Coal Mine well-positioned to meet growing energy needs
Usibelli Coal Mine (UCM) recently concluded a year- long celebration commemorating the 75th anniversa- ry of its founding in 1943. Nearly 3,000 people visited the mine site in Healy for an Aug. 4 open house event that featured mine tours, equipment demonstrations, a BBQ lunch and entertainment for the whole family. UCM also released “The Story of Usibelli Coal Mine,” a 128-page pictorial history book that cap- tures the mine’s colorful history. A special video was produced by marketing students from the UAF School of Management that recounts the heritage of tenacity that has shaped Alaska’s only operational coal mine into what it is today. As the mine looks to the future, there are many exciting developments. In August, UAF celebrated the completion of its $245 million coal-fired power plant. The 17-megawatt plant replaces an old- er facility with one that is more modern and efficient. The new plant not only provides affordable energy, but also boasts state-of-the-art environmental controls
The Alaska Miner
January 2019
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