An elevated, covered conveyor belt runs the raw coal nearly two miles down a narrow valley and up a ridge to the prep plant, which removes rock from the coal. It takes just two people to run the highly automated plant, processing 2,000 tons of raw coal an hour. One oversees and operates the entire system, from the mine down to the Ben Creek load-out, with computers and a bank of video monitors connected to 32 cameras. The operator can tweak volumes and adjust chemical baths with a key stroke. The other patrols the processing plant, keeping another eye on operations.
Clean coal is required for making steel.
Raw coal can be burned to produce electricity. Ben Creek runs clear and cold behind it. As each rail hopper car is pushed under the load-out, sensors read the car's serial number and capacity. It takes just two workers to operate the load-out. Coal rushes in like water.