Lignite (sub-bituminous coal) is mined from the Eocene Wilcox Sandstone Shale rock (60 million years old). The mine is the SW extension of the Alcoa mining and Aluminum smelting operation that closed this year after more than 50 years of operation. The Lignite is used to generate electricity that is fed into the general Texas electric network. Wilcox lignite was formed from the partially decayed, lush tropical swamp vegetation that grew along the Texas coast during Eocene time.

Marty Irwin, explains mining operations	Marty Irwin explains the lignite mine layout	Operating mine
Black lignite with about 50 feet of sandstone overburden	Overburden being removed from the Lignite layer	Vehicle transporting lignite
Approaching the lignite mine	Approaching the lignite mine	Mining the lignite
Black lignite with about 50 feet of sandstone overburden	Lignite being mined	Overburden being removed from the Lignite layer
Black lignite with about 50 feet of sandstone overburden	Overburden being removed from the Lignite layer	Lignite and overburden
Lignite and overburden	Mixing of different grades of lignite to get the optimum for the furnace	Operating Crane
Mixing of different grades of lignite to get the optimum for the furnace	Mixing of different grades of lignite to get the optimum for the furnace	Mixing of different grades of lignite to get the optimum for the furnace

  Back