By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News | Photo Courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management

Tucked away along the Manti skyline and right in between Salt Lake, Sanpete and Carbon County sits the Skyline Mine. Owned by Wolverine Fuels, the mine has been producing coal since 1981. Often talked about among the community, many do not understand what happens underneath Skyline.

Castle Country Radio had the unique opportunity to tour the mine’s facilities and experience what it’s like to work at Skyline Mine.

Culture

One of the first things you notice when spending time around coal miners is the camaraderie they share. At Skyline, this is no different. Walking through both the aboveground and underground facilities, you can see workers enjoying lunch together or engaging in hearty banter. There’s a friendship in this industry that is rarely seen, with bonds forming that tend to last a lifetime.

Rarely in the workplace do you see generational lines crossed in friendships. Older generations tend to avoid younger generations and vice versa. Here, veteran miners who have worked in the field for 30-plus years donning their black hard hats intermix with much younger “Blue Hard Hats,” the apt term given to rookie miners who have less than 1 year under their belts.

Administration at the mine looks to foster this exact environment. General Mine Manager Jake Wilson explained that the company routinely holds gatherings where workers are provided with a free lunch and presented with the opportunity to win safety prizes. 

When the company reaches its safety goals, give away items like hats, hoodies, coolers, jackets and blankets are handed out to all Skyline employees.

In addition, the mine has partnered with the Utah Transit Authority to use their carpool vans, which bring workers from northern Utah to the worksite.

Safety

Safety is at the forefront of everything the mine does. Even as a visitor, I was wearing full-body protective equipment, including a jumpsuit, steel-toed boots, eye protection and a hard hat. On the jumpsuit belt, I wore a rescue breather to be used in the extremely rare event of low oxygen, a headlamp battery pack and a tracking device that monitored my location at all times in the mine.

Employing over 400 workers, it’s a tall task to keep track of where workers are while on the clock. To aid in this, the mine utilizes a check-in/check-out board in which miners flip a name tag to show whether they are above ground or underground. This board is no window dressing either. Workers have been called back after clocking out to flip their tag to show they are out of the mine to ensure everyone is accounted for.

Safety is also drilled into workers’ heads. As you walk through the aboveground facilities, every few feet, you see another sign reminding you of dangers to look out for and other workplace safety practices. 

“Behavioral-based safety,” as it’s referred to in the mine, is at the forefront of everything that happens. Safety is a top priority whether it be personal accountability, near-miss reporting or general awareness.

This dedication to creating a safe workplace shows, as the mine has been awarded the National Mining Association Sentinels of Safety Award four times, with a potential fifth pending. This award recognizes coal and mineral mining operations in 10 categories for recording the most hours in a calendar year without a lost-time injury. A minimum of 4,000 hours is required for award consideration.

In addition, Skyline boasts one of the lowest incident rates in the country, having previously gone over two years without an underground lost time incident.

Environmental Concerns

One topic of discussion that always comes along with coal is its environmental impact. Many worry about the effects that coal mining can have on the water and the landscape surrounding mines. 

The federal government heavily regulates these mines, and the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the Department of Oil, Gas and Mines and the Department of Environmental Quality all play roles in Skyline’s operation.

Skyline is actually one of the biggest suppliers of water in Carbon County. It utilizes strong pumps to remove water from the mine and into Scofield Reservoir. The amount pumped is estimated to be enough to meet every citizen’s per diem in Carbon.

The coal produced at Skyline is known for its high BTU and low sulfur content, which helps limit pollutants and burns cleaner. Across the globe, Skyline Coal has earned the name “Uinta Premium Coal,” reflecting the high-quality product produced in the mine.

Inside the mine

Inside Skyline, you feel transported to a different world. Gone are the days of mine carts and railing, and miners are now transported to and from in pickup trucks. 

The ride is bumpy as you cruise underneath the mesh ceiling, passing crosscuts as you speed by. Truthfully it feels just like the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland – albeit without the giant snakes and evil masks. The 25 mph drive feels like a breakneck pace as you go further and further into the mine.

Upon stepping out, you are greeted by miners who are hard at work, operating a variety of machinery, including automatic miners, roof bolters and longwalls. The equipment whirls to life and the sounds of heavy machinery echo through the entries. Again, the safety measures taken are incredible. There’s a strong sense of caution and awareness from each individual.

Even as you exit, you observe the dedication to safety. Reflective lines and directional signs help miners and guests alike back to the surface.

Community Impact

The impact of the Skyline mine is far-reaching, not just impacting the workers and themselves. The saying goes that for every one coal mine job in a community, four to six jobs are created in the community. These can come in a variety of ways, whether it be equipment manufacturers, hospitality workers, or anything in between.

Every piece of equipment the mine uses is locally sourced. By utilizing community partners like Intermountain Electronics, Komatsu and Jennmar, Skyline helps to keep money flowing into Carbon County’s economy. Additionally, the mine creates a massive tax base for the counties it serves.

Other partners include Utah State University Eastern, which offers the mandatory 32-hour class needed to become a coal miner.

How to get involved

Applications are open on wolverinefuels.com for those looking to get involved with Skyline Mine. Applicants must be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have a valid driver’s license.

In-person recruiting opportunities are also available as Wolverine Fuels travels across the state looking for potential candidates. These events are posted in advance and can be found on their Facebook page.