The company said January 20 that the new marker represents more than 83 million man-hours and the loading of 17 million train cars and more than 125,000 trains.
NARM met its first billion-ton milestone in 2006, 23 years after the first coal was taken from the mine.
Peabody officials pointed out that, if the complex were a nation, it would place near the top 10 countries globally for coal production.
“Two billion tons makes for a lot of zeroes… and a lot of low-cost, reliable electricity to power homes and businesses all across the country,” President of the Americas Kemal Williamson said. “As the world’s largest and most productive coal mine, North Antelope Rochelle produces nearly 15% of the coal used for generation in the United States and by itself fuels 5% of the electricity used in the United States — over eight times more than all the solar power in the country.”
The North Antelope mine began operating in 1983, and the Rochelle mine began production in late 1985. The two mines were combined in 1999, and they now employ about 1,400 people.
NARM coal is used by more than 40 electricity generating customers operating more than 80 power plants across the U.S.
