Colowyo

Overview

Colowyo Coal Company produces thermal coal in northwest Colorado, USA.

On December 1, 2011 Rio Tinto announced that it has completed the divestment of its Colowyo Mine, a thermal coal mine located in western Colorado, to Western Fuels-Colorado LLC. The transaction represents the completion of Rio Tinto's divestment of all US thermal coal mines previously held by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Rio Tinto Energy America Inc. 

Location

The Colowyo mine is located in the northwest section of the Uinta Basin, between Craig and Meeker, Colorado, in Moffat County. 

Geology and Mineralization

Eight different coal seams are mined sequentially at the site. The seams range from 18 inches to 14 feet thick. The typical average quality of coal rates at 10,325 average Btu subbituminous thermal coal.

Mining & Operation

Conventional truck and shovel coal mining operation.

Processing

Coal is crushed to specifications then washed and stockpiled for delivery. Coal mined from Colowyo is sold to utilities in the western half of the United States, primarily into Colorado, Texas, Arkansas and Arizona.

Environment & Community

Colowyo coal mine was owned by Rio Tinto and sold in December 2011. Respect for the environment was central to Rio Tinto's approach to sustainable development. Wherever possible Rio Tinto prevented, or otherwise minimized, mitigated and remediated, harmful effects of the Group's operations on the environment. 

In line with Rio Tinto's Environment policy and associated standards, Rio Tinto have developed and implemented a number of practical programmes covering the management of air quality, ecosystems services, biodiversity, climate change,energy, land, water, waste, and closure. These programmes include input from our local communities as well as from experts in these fields.