Wilberg Mine
Encyclopedia
The Wilberg Mine is a coal mine in Emery County, Utah
, approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) northwest of Orangeville
, just north of State Route 29
, at the northern terminus of State Route 57
. The mine is operated by the Energy West Mining Company (out of Huntington
) and owned by PacifiCorp Energy(a division of power utility company PacifiCorp
).
Most of the coal is shipped by truck to Hunter Power Plant, a coal-fired power plant owned by PacifiCorp's Rocky Mountain Power division, just south of the town of Castle Dale
.
, who idled the mine except for limited exploratory mining until March of 1974, when energy prices saw a sharp rise. Utah Power & Light (UP&L) (now operated as Rocky Mountain Power a division of PacifiCorp
) purchased the rights to the mine on April 18, 1977, and then contracted out operating the mine to American Coal Company. In June 1979 Emery Mining Corporation (EMC) took over operations.
In December 1984 the mine employed 326 miners, and 290 of those were working underground on three shifts-a-day, five days a week. Production averaged 11,000 tons of coal per day.
After the fire, in 1985, the mine was divided into two separate mines. The mine workings on the west side of the fire seals became the Cottonwood Mine (MSHA ID No. 42-01944).
UP&L took over operating the mine, forming UP&L Mining Division, on April 29, 1986, retaining most of the EMC employees.
The fire was caused by a faulty air compressor
, which was allowed to run unattended in an area that was not fire-proofed. In his article, "Remembering the Wilberg Mine disaster" in The Salt Lake Tribune
, Mike Gorrell says: "MSHA concluded an air compressor with two defective safety devices started the fire, a theory rejected by Emery Mining and the union."
Emery County, Utah
Emery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. As of 2000 the population was 10,860, and by 2009 had been estimated to decrease to 10,629. It was named for George W. Emery, governor of the Utah Territory in 1875...
, approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) northwest of Orangeville
Orangeville, Utah
Orangeville is a city in northwestern Emery County, Utah, United States, at the edge of the Manti-La Sal National Forest. The city is at the junction of State Routes 29 and 57, straddling the banks of Cottonwood Creek...
, just north of State Route 29
Utah State Route 29
State Route 29 is a state highway in Emery County in the U.S. state of Utah. It runs for from the Sanpete-Emery County line near Joe's Valley Reservoir to SR-10 three miles north of Castle Dale.-Route description:...
, at the northern terminus of State Route 57
Utah State Route 57
State Route 57 is a state highway in Emery County in the U.S. state of Utah. It runs for from the junction with SR-10 three miles south of Castle Dale to the Wilberg Coal Mine, northwest of Orangeville.-Route description:...
. The mine is operated by the Energy West Mining Company (out of Huntington
Huntington, Utah
Huntington is a town in Emery County, Utah, United States. The population was 2,131 at the 2000 census. It is the largest town in Emery County.-History:...
) and owned by PacifiCorp Energy(a division of power utility company PacifiCorp
PacifiCorp
PacifiCorp is an electric power company in the northwestern United States.PacifiCorp has three primary subsidiaries:# Pacific Power is a regulated electric utility with service territory throughout Oregon, northern California, and southeastern Washington.# Rocky Mountain Power is a regulated...
).
Most of the coal is shipped by truck to Hunter Power Plant, a coal-fired power plant owned by PacifiCorp's Rocky Mountain Power division, just south of the town of Castle Dale
Castle Dale, Utah
Castle Dale is a city in Emery County, Utah, United States. The population was 1,657 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Emery County.-History:...
.
Location
The Wilberg Mine is located at 39°19′16"N 111°07′23"W (39.321078°, -111.122948°) with its entrance at an elevation of 7,602 feet (2,317 m).History
The mine was started by Cyrus Wilberg in September of 1949. In October 1968, the mining rights were bought by Peabody Coal CompanyPeabody Energy
Peabody Energy Corporation , previously Peabody Coal Company, is the largest private-sector coal company in the world. The company is headquartered in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri....
, who idled the mine except for limited exploratory mining until March of 1974, when energy prices saw a sharp rise. Utah Power & Light (UP&L) (now operated as Rocky Mountain Power a division of PacifiCorp
PacifiCorp
PacifiCorp is an electric power company in the northwestern United States.PacifiCorp has three primary subsidiaries:# Pacific Power is a regulated electric utility with service territory throughout Oregon, northern California, and southeastern Washington.# Rocky Mountain Power is a regulated...
) purchased the rights to the mine on April 18, 1977, and then contracted out operating the mine to American Coal Company. In June 1979 Emery Mining Corporation (EMC) took over operations.
In December 1984 the mine employed 326 miners, and 290 of those were working underground on three shifts-a-day, five days a week. Production averaged 11,000 tons of coal per day.
After the fire, in 1985, the mine was divided into two separate mines. The mine workings on the west side of the fire seals became the Cottonwood Mine (MSHA ID No. 42-01944).
UP&L took over operating the mine, forming UP&L Mining Division, on April 29, 1986, retaining most of the EMC employees.
1984 disaster
It is most notable for the fire on 19 December 1984 which claimed 27 lives: 18 miners and 9 company officials. The disaster was the worst coal mine fire in Utah history. The escape route of the 27 persons was cut off when the fire quickly engulfed the intake of the 5th Right longwall.The fire was caused by a faulty air compressor
Air compressor
An air compressor is a device that converts power into kinetic energy by compressing and pressurizing air, which, on command, can be released in quick bursts...
, which was allowed to run unattended in an area that was not fire-proofed. In his article, "Remembering the Wilberg Mine disaster" in The Salt Lake Tribune
The Salt Lake Tribune
The Salt Lake Tribune is the largest-circulated daily newspaper in the U.S. city of Salt Lake City. It is distributed by Newspaper Agency Corporation, which also distributes the Deseret News. The Tribune — or "Trib," as it is locally known — is currently owned by the Denver-based MediaNews Group....
, Mike Gorrell says: "MSHA concluded an air compressor with two defective safety devices started the fire, a theory rejected by Emery Mining and the union."
Lives lost
List of Emery Mining Corporation (EMC) employees who lost their life at the Wilberg Mine:- Phillip Bell
- Bert Bennett
- James Bertuzzi
- David Bocook - (Mine Manager)
- Ricci Camberlango
- Curtis Carter
- Robert Christensen
- Vic Cingolani - (General Mine Foreman)
- Gordon Conover
- Randy Curry
- Owen Curtis
- Roger Ellis
- James Hamlin - (EMC Vice President of Operations)
- Leroy Hersh
- Brian Howard
- Barry Jacobs
- Cary Jennings
- Lee Johansen
- Joel Nevitt
- Alex Poulos - (General Mine Foreman-Longwall)
- Kelly Riddle
- Ray Snow
- Lynn Robinson
- John Waldoch
- Lester Walls, Jr.
- Nanette Wheeler
- John Wilsey