Global Mines

Number three on our list of the most productive mines in the world is the Black Thunder Coal Mine . Located in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming , US , the surface mining complex first opened its doors in 1977 by Arco Coal , later being acquired by Arch Coal in 1998 . The mine site utilizes seven active mining deposits and utilizes the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads for coal shipping .

Since commencing production in 1985 , the Cerrejon open-pit coal mine has produced 32 million tons annually . Located in the Guajira Peninsula of Colombia , the mine is divided into three primary deposits : Cerrejon North Zone , Cerrejon Central Zone and Cerrejon South Zone . The mine , which is owned by a joint venture partnership with Anglo American , BHP Billiton and Glencore , is estimated to contain roughly 754 million tons

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