MINING NEWS: Usibelli sets lost time injury record

Usibelli Coal Mine in Healy, Alaska, has achieved an all-time safety record for no lost time injuries. The company said Jan. 17 that from Jan. 27, 2004, to the present, Usibelli’s employees have collectively achieved more than 720 days of continuous operations without a lost time injury.

“This is a significant accomplishment considering the challenging conditions we work in every day, while maintaining an impressive on-time delivery schedule to our customers,” said Keith Walters, Usibelli’s general manager. “We have produced approximately 1.5 million tons of coal each year during calendar year 2004 and 2005 for delivery to six Interior Alaska power plants and for export to South Korea and Chile.”

“I am tremendously proud of every employee,” said Usibelli Coal Mine President Joe Usibelli Jr. “We enjoy a very professional and dedicated workforce with great leadership and teamwork. Accomplishments like this don’t come easy. Two years without a lost time injury is outstanding.” Usibelli Coal Mine is a third-generation family owned business and the only operational coal mine in Alaska. The surface coal mine has been in operation since 1943.

—Sarah Hurst