Coal: The Choice for the Future

This mine opened in April 2001 and quickly became one of the most productive in state history. It started on a 150-acre block of coal with 15 miners producing 50,000 tons per month.

Today, there are eight miners and five contractors working at Pioneer. Two D-11 dozers are used here.The coal comes from Illinois #5 and #6 seams. Its sulfur content is 3.2 percent and ash is 10 percent. It burns at 11,200 BTUs. Pioneer is near the former Captain Mine rail facility. Coal can be trucked
there directly from the pit for transport to market. Pioneer has a raw coal processing plant with stokering capabilities. Coal can also be transported to any of the other plant facilities for washing.