Hitachi brings the heat to Fairbanks

Image from Hitachi.

Winters in Healy, Alaska, aren't for the fainthearted. Located just outside Denali National Park and Preserve, the daylight is short and the cold lingers into spring.

Sometimes, temperatures plummet to as low as -60 ?F. Amidst these harsh temperatures, the work continues at Usibelli Coal Mine.

"We work in extreme conditions," said Alex Legrismith, a Usibelli mining engineer. "Steel can shatter in these low temperatures."

Notonly does the work continue through the winter, but for Usibelli, it's peakseason.

"The middle of the winter is our largest production time," Legrismith said. "Fairbanks is just up the road, and it's the coldest city in the United States. Our coal keeps Fairbanks warm."

Usibelli is a family-owned mine started in 1943 by Emil Usibelli. Not only does the mine singlehandedly heat Fairbanks, but its production has increased steadily through the years.

Today, the mine outputs 1.2-2 million tonnes of coal per year.

"We'reall about production," Legrismith said. "And we've worked to make our operationas efficient as possible to output more high-quality coal."

Productivity through reliability

Usibelli utilizes one powerful Hitachi excavator - an EX1900-6 - to output about 50% of the mine's production. The machine was purchased in 2012 and has been a workhorse ever since.

"It's just so reliable," said Robert Bohanon, a Usibelli operator. "I've run plenty of other machines. The Hitachi is smoother and has more power."

Legrismithechoed the machine's reliability.

"Our EX1900 excavator is one of the most reliable pieces of equipment we have on the mine," he said. "It's had almost no mechanical issues. It's always running. Its motto should really be, 'productivity through reliability.'"

Witha customized 19.5 cubic-yard bucket, it not only boasts big productivity, butalso a comfortable working environment.

"Withour operators spending so much time in the cab, it's important that the cab iscomfortable," Legrismith said. "With the EX1900, the ergonomics and visibilityfrom the cab are much better than other pieces of equipment."

Thecomfort of this machine's cab has become a bit legendary on the site.

"As the story goes, our primary coal loading operator, who has been here for over 30 years now, says the EX1900 is the only machine that doesn't leave him with a stiff neck at the end of the day," Legrismith said.

"I think the visibility is so much better than other machines, and it runs smoother, which leaves our operators feeling way better."

Thinking of tomorrow, today

Working in conjunction with the EX1900-6, drone surveying has recently revolutionized Usibelli's mining process, streamlining it for efficiency and quality.

Legrismith spearheaded the efforts to bring drone surveying to the mine and has experienced positive results since.

"Drone surveying is safer and more efficient," Legrismith said.

"Before, we used GPS and had to walk around, getting to the crests by foot. Now, we just set out some control points and fly the drone. The result is a perfect survey of the area in very little time."

Oneof the biggest advantages to drone surveying is to pinpoint where the "goodcoal" is located so operators can dig in more precisely. This is especiallyimportant in Usibelli's challenging environment.

"We're mining coal that has a parting or 'seam' about halfway through it," Legrismith said.

"The drone survey allows us to have great elevation control and hone-in on where this parting is, and where it will be projected in the future. All of this quality variation occurs within 30 feet. We've got our Hitachi excavator in these pits, and it's been doing great because we've been able to selectively mine the coal."

Whilethis drone surveying push is a great advancement, Legrismith is always lookingahead, eager to utilize technology and keep the mine moving forward.

"Next,I would love to see machine control, or have an autonomous truck," Legrismithsaid.

Excavators for the last frontier

AsLegrismith anticipates the future of mining, there's one piece of equipment hewants to see stick around for years to come.

"With the performance we've seen from the Hitachi, we trust the brand," Legrismith said.

"The next piece of equipment I would love to see here at Usibelli Coal Mine is another Hitachi shovel. I think for the mining we have coming up in the next five to ten years, it would be perfect for us."

Workingwith a company that values the community connection is no surprise, as Usibellihas gained brand recognition locally by giving back through sponsoringscholarships and grants to more than 80 organizations annually.

"Growingup in Alaska, you learn to love it and its community," Legrismith said. "It'sthe last frontier, and it takes a special type of person to love thelifestyle."

Luckilyfor Legrismith, he's found the right fit at a company with more than 115employees who live for the community and outdoor atmosphere like him.

"We've been family-owned and run for going on 76 years now," he said.

"Working here is like working for a giant family."