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Who We Are

Meet America’s Largest Lignite Mine

Powering America with American Energy.

Located in Beulah, ND, Coteau’s Freedom Mine produces between 11.5 and 13.5 million tons of coal annually. Since coal deliveries began in 1983, our aptly-named mine has played a significant role in freeing America from its dependence on foreign energy sources. Our award-winning reclamation efforts demonstrate a long-standing commitment to the community. Nearly 500 employees strong, we work 365 days a year to safely and responsibly provide dependable energy.

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We are The Freedom Mine: The Coteau Story

Safety

Be Aware. Be Engaged. Be Safe.

We operate in a culture of safety and accountability. All employees share the responsibility of maintaining the highest safety standards for themselves and their coworkers. We're proud to say this approach works. The Freedom Mine has received numerous awards that recognize its outstanding safety achievements, including the Sentinels of Safety Awards in the large surface coal group.

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Who We Serve

Powering the Great Plains

All coal produced at the mine is delivered to Dakota Coal Company, a subsidiary of Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Ultimately, coal from the Freedom Mine fuels up to 1,600 megawatts of low-cost, reliable electricity each day at the Antelope Valley Station and Leland Olds Station power plants and approximately 160 million cubic feet of natural gas daily at the Great Plains Synfuels Plant. These plants are located in Mercer County, ND. Additionally, coal from the Freedom Mine provides the basis for the production of other value-added products including fertilizers utilized by family farms across the Great Plains Region.

Our Mining and Reclamation Process

  • 01
    Research: Baseline environmental research and data collection provide a detailed pre-mining analysis of the land’s resources, characteristics and composition.
  • 02
    Permitting: Permits are approved by the North Dakota Public Service Commission and include pre-mine environmental information and mining and reclamation plans.
  • 03
    Conservation: Sedimentation ponds capture and settle runoff water. Topsoil and subsoil are removed and stockpiled for future reclamation work.
  • 04
    Mining: Overburden is removed by large draglines and other equipment works to uncover the coal. Coal is blasted, loaded, blended, crushed and delivered. Dragline spoils are graded into an approved topography and covered with stockpiled soils.
  • 05
    Reclamation: Soil is prepared and rock picking and seeding occur immediately after topsoil spreading. Farmers and ranchers use the reclaimed land for agricultural purposes. In addition, wildlife returns to the reestablished habitat.
Environmental

Environmental Excellence

We strive to minimize the impacts of surface disturbance, and we practice contemporaneous reclamation. We are committed to restoring areas disturbed by mining to ensure beneficial use for future generations. The Freedom Mine has received numerous Awards for Excellence in Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation from the North Dakota Public Service Commission and the U.S. Department of Interior. The mine has also been awarded the EPA’s Environmental Excellence Award and honors from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.