Mining

Location

Decker, MT

Operator

Decker Coal Company

The Decker Coal Fields, located near Decker, Montana, were discovered by Kiewit in 1961. Decker Coal Company developed the mine in the early 1970s and began shipments in 1972. Since then, Decker has dispatched more than 340 million tons of low sulfur coal to utility companies throughout the United States. Decker is currently under the management of Kiewit Mining Group Inc.

The Decker Coal Mine consists of two distinct mining areas, East Decker and West Decker. Each mine maintains its own independent facilities area. Mine development and construction of both were carried out by Kiewit.

West Decker, which began shipments in 1972, was the highest producing coal mine in the United States in 1975 and 1976 (9.2 and 10.2 million tons per year). Decker Coal Company is served by spur lines of the Burlington Northern Railroad.