Chevron owns interests in coal and molybdenum resources in the United States through our subsidiary Chevron Mining Inc.
Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, Chevron Mining announced in early 2011 that it was selling Chevron's remaining coal assets but would continue to maintain its molybdenum assets.
Coal Assets in Transition
In the second quarter of 2011, we completed the sale of the North River Mine and other coal-related assets in Alabama. In early 2012, we sold the Kemmerer surface coal mine in Wyoming.
The company is pursuing the sale of its 50 percent interest in Youngs Creek Mining Company, LLC, which was formed to develop a coal mine in northern Wyoming. Efforts continue to divest the company of adjoining coal assets as well.
In 2011, the McKinley Mine in New Mexico focused on final reclamation activities. In 2009, Chevron donated 208 acres (0.84 sq km) of adjacent unmined land to the Navajo Code Talkers Association for a museum and future veterans' center in recognition of the mine's longtime partnership with the Navajo Nation. In 2011, the McKinley Mine was inducted into the New Mexico Mining Association Mining Hall of Fame in recognition of the company's restoration efforts.
Molybdenum Adjusting to the Minerals Market
Chevron also operates an underground molybdenum mine in Questa, New Mexico. Molybdenum is primarily used to strengthen steel. Development and production continues at reduced levels at Questa due to weak molybdenum prices that began in 2008 and moderated in 2011.
On the tailing site of the Questa mine, Chevron Mining and Chevron Technology Ventures began operating a 1-megawatt concentrating solar photovoltaic facility in April 2011. The demonstration project generates enough electricity to power 300 homes.
Mine Safety
Protecting people and the environment is one of Chevron's core values. In 2011, Chevron Mining joined other major mining companies and the National Mining Association in sharing safety processes and procedures. The initiative seeks to create a systematic, industrywide approach to health and safety management across the mining industry.
Updated: April 2012