Wayne Boich
Signal Peak Energy is considered the partnership between Wayne Boich and FirstEnergy, an Ohio run utility company. Early in the year of 2008, Boich and FirstEnergy acquired the Signal Peak Coal Mine. The mining venture can be found south of Roundup in Montana. The mine was formerly owned by the Bull Mountain Coal Co but, in spite of wishing to reopen the mine in the early 1990s, the company was unsuccessful and their efforts brought about several lawsuits.
Boich Companies and FirstEnergy are equal partners in Signal Peak Energy and now have spent a large amount of cash on the Signal Peak Project to help get the mine back up and running efficiently. They are going to insure that it is the most prosperous underground mine of this type in America with the coal being marketed throughout the United States of America along with the Pacific Rim Countries.
In just one year of fast building, a whole new infrastructure was built and the mine site was converted from a couple of older buildings and little external infrastructure to a large industrial complex. The Signal Peak Energy mine site now includes a new office, warehouse and shop. On top of that, there is a new wash plant capable of cleaning 2,000 tons of coal per hour, 2 massive storage silos and an extensive conveyor system and naturally the railroad spur.
The cost of constructing the 36-mile railroad spur alone was $105 million. This rail spur ties into the BNSF main line 3 miles to the south of Broadview at a crossing which was named “Walter” in honor of the world’s oldest man, 112-year-old Walter Breuning of Great Falls. For half a century, this Montanan worked for BNSF’s predecessor, the Great Northern Railway.
The Signal Peak Mine hires 190 people and it is anticipated to supply 7 million tonnes of coal annually. This is about one-third of the coal needed by FirstEnergy who have signed a 20 year contract with Signal Peak Energy. At maximum capacity, the Signal Peak mine can easily load seven trains each day of 120 to 150 cars. Montana coal has been found to produce more heat per ton than Powder River coal: 10,300 British thermal units compared to 8,000 Btus. Which means FirstEnergy can ship less coal to produce the same energy, which helps compensate for railroad shipping costs. It is this combination that will allow coal to be competitive with alternative fuels in Ohio.
The opening of the Signal Peak Mine and Dedication of the railroad junction was commemorated by an illustrious group from The Boich Group, Signal Peak Energy, FirstEnergy, Montana politicians, BNSF Railway executives and Governor Brian Schweitzer.
For more information about Signal Peak Energy visit our website: Wayne Boich
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