The coal was first mined in 1923 by removing the overburden with horse drawn scrapers and then hauling coal to the surface with horse drawn wagons.

The Marion shovel and the P & H crane seen here were used 40 years ago and were some of the first mechanized pieces of equipment purchased for the mine. Wyodak Resources Development Corp. was incorporated in 1958 at which time it purchased mining equipment and leased coal reserves from Homestake Mining Company.

Located in the upper portion of what is known geologically as the Fort Union Formation are three important and remarkable coal seams. The three seams are composed of the upper Wyodak with a thickness of 40 feet, the middle Wyodak with a thickness of 12 feet, and the lower Wyodak with a thickness of 40 feet.

The coal lies in a practically continuous bed varying in thickness from 70 feet to about 110 feet. It is classified as subbituminous coal with an average heat content of 8,000 BTU’s per pound. The present coal reserves will provide home heating for the Gillette area and electrical generation until the year 2027.

Upon removal of the coal the area will be reclaimed providing rangeland for cattle grazing and additional habitat for deer and antelope.