We’ve already looked at how National Firesleeve helps to protect the US mining sector. But just how big is the mining industry in the US, and where can you find the biggest mines?
From mines that are bigger than Washington DC, to shafts that sink almost two miles deep into the earth, we’ve mined the incredible facts and figures behind America’s colossal digs to bring you the biggest and the best.
America’s deepest mine
The Number 4 shaft at Lucky Friday Mine, located near Mullan in Indiana, holds the record for the deepest currently active mineshaft in the US, reaching a staggering 9,587 feet or 1.82 miles down. The 18 foot wide shaft was completed in 2016 and today produces around 3 million ounces of silver per year, along with lead and zinc.
Remarkably, even this huge hole doesn’t come close to the world’s deepest mine. The Mponeng gold mine, near Johannesburg in South Africa, plummets two and a half miles down. It takes over an hour to reach the bottom, where you’ll find temperatures in excess of 150°F (65°C). Fortunately, National Firesleeve products can withstand operating temperatures up to 500°F, so however deep your mine, your team and your equipment will remain totally protected.
America’s largest mine
It may not be the deepest mine, but the epic Brigham Canyon mine in Utah is truly massive. Stretching two and a half miles across and three quarters of a mile deep, it is the world’s largest man-made excavation and can even be seen from space!
Everything is on a massive scale at Brigham Canyon, with no less than 400,000 tons of material removed every single day. With that level of intense working, it’s good to know that National Firesleeve products are tough and abrasion resistant in even the most demanding of environments.
America’s most productive coal mine
America also boasts the largest coal mine in the world, which is larger than Washington D.C. The North Antelope Rochelle mine, in Campbell County, Wyoming, covers over 100 square miles and produced an incredible 85 million tons of coal in 2019, which is more than many entire countries consume.
EIA experts estimate that this one mine alone provides enough coal for almost 5% of the United States’ annual electricity requirement. Naturally, National Firesleeve will be there to protect cables and wires every step of the way as that power is distributed to homes and businesses across the nation.
The world’s largest mining companies
Along with the largest open mine and the most productive coal mine, the US is also home to two of the largest mining companies on the planet, both coincidentally based in Phoenix. Southern Copper is the fourth biggest mining company in the world, with a market capitalization of $71.91 billion. They are closely followed by their neighbors, Freeport McMoRan, who are the sixth largest in the world, with a market capitalization of $52.84 billion.
However, you’d need to add these two huge companies together to get the world’s largest mining company. BHP Group, based in Australia, has a massive market capitalization of no less than $122.35 billion.
According to US Government figures, mining contributed over $105 billion to the US economy in 2023, with 12,500 mines supporting over half a million jobs. And with the new administration’s push to exploit the country’s natural resources, this figure is only going to increase.
National Firesleeve supporting US mining
From the largest and deepest mines, to the smallest, specialist digs, National Firesleeve has the protection solutions you need. Our wide range of MSHA approved fire protection products will help your company to take care of equipment and workers, maintain dependable production and keep supplying America’s industry and energy services with the minerals they need.
To find out more about how National Firesleeve supports the mining industry, get in touch with our team today.
