This robust resource combined with a strong business environment for coal mining – including a well-built refining infrastructure, productive and well-educated workforce, and rich mining history – is likely to keep Montana at the forefront of coal production.
Looking at the Montana business environment over the next decade, coal mining has the potential to play a significant role in Montana’s future economic viability. Montana has the largest coal bed reserves in the country, with some of the highest quality coal available, and the Montana business environment recognizes the great potential in developing its coal beds.
With demand for the premium coal found in Montana’s abundant coal beds, the Montana business environment is likely going to be largely focused on coal mining in the coming years. Indeed, Montana’s coal beds contain over one-fourth of America’s coal, totaling an estimated 120 billion tons of demonstrated reserve base.
This robust resource combined with a strong business environment for coal mining – including a well-built refining infrastructure, productive and well-educated workforce, and rich mining history – is likely to keep Montana at the forefront of coal production.
The quality of Montana’s coal seams is another factor that will keep coal mining an important part of the Montana business environment. Western coal typically produces less carbon emissions when burned and therefore fewer pollutants. Montana’s proximity to premium Mountain and West Coast markets seeking clean fuel and power will help contribute to its economic success.
With Montana coal reserves largely undeveloped, we will continue to see new projects and businesses looking to take advantage of the resource, and the pro-coal business environment in Montana will certainly remain supportive.
The Governor of Montana has already approved the nation’s first Coal-to-Liquid plant in Montana, which should be a boost to the Montana business environment. An economic analysis prepared by a researcher at Montana State University-Billings projects a boost to the Montana business environment with nearly 1,764 full-time jobs from operation of the plant and related work such as mining and rail transportation of coal. Annual wages and benefits for those jobs are projected at $194 million.
Montana contains the nation’s largest underground coal reserves, and with many Appalachian mines reducing their production numbers, coal developers are looking into the construction of new mines in Montana. The coal in Bearcreek and Bridger-Fromberg holds potential to produce the valuable fuels that investors are seeking. This high-quality coal has caught the attention of coal investors looking to capitalize on Montana’s great potential for coal production.