1. HOME
  2.  | 
  3. Industry
  4.  | 
  5. Mining
  6.  | Usibelli Coal Mine Marks 1,000 Days Without a Lost-Time Incident

Usibelli Coal Mine Marks 1,000 Days Without a Lost-Time Incident

Sep 11, 2023 | Mining, News

The Caterpillar 785G 150-ton haul truck is one of the newest additions to the UCM vehicle fleet.

Usibelli Coal Mine & Judy Patrick Photography

The last time an accident resulted in lost work time at Alaska’s only active coal mine was more than a thousand days ago. Usibelli Coal Mine (UCM) announced the milestone of nearly three years of consistently safe operations.

Everyday Safety

“We are proud to celebrate 1,000 days without a lost time accident,” says UCM President Joe Usibelli Jr. “This achievement reflects our commitment to safety as a core value and the foundation of our company culture. Every team member is accountable for their safety and the safety of their fellow coal miners.”

UCM is one of eleven mines nationwide to have received CORESafety certification from the National Mining Association in 2020. By implementing CORESafety and the mine’s internal “Everyday Safety – At Work. At Home. At Play.” campaign, employees are empowered to be safety leaders, fostering a collaborative approach to identifying and mitigating potential hazards.

Current Issue

Alaska Business Magazine August 2026 cover

August 2026

Usibelli states, “I also want to thank the families of our employees who support and encourage a commitment to Everyday Safety and for supporting their loved ones to maintain a safety-first mindset.”

Extending the clean streak into December would set an all-time record for UCM.

“Beyond our commitment to safety, we also recognize our responsibility to the environment and the communities we serve,” Usibelli adds. “We strive to leave a positive legacy for future generations.”

Alaska Business Magazine August 2026 cover
In This Issue
New Oil on the North Slope
August 2026
In mid-May it was 19°F and windy at the Aurora Hotel in Deadhorse. As I stood in the parking lot surveying the surroundings, I chatted with a gentleman from Texas who works for Nabors Alaska Drilling and was in town as part of a crew tasked with getting a previously inactive drill rig up and running. He said that, according to his supervisor, spring is the windy season on the North Slope. The gusts were bracing, numbing the fingers holding my camera, but most of my attention was focused on what I could capture through the lens: work trucks, shipping containers, buildings obscured by snow whipped up by the wind.
Share This