A coal mine that is located about one mile east of the community of Somerset along Highway 133.

The mine has been operating since 1982. It was owned by Mountain Coal Company LLC, a subsidiary of Arch Coal. Arch Coal changed its name to Arch Resources in 2020. Then, Arch Resources merged with Consol Energy in January 2025 to form Core Natural Resources.

It was Colorado's top coal producer in 2023.

List of minerals for each chemical element

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

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USA

Green River FormationFormation

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References

https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/west-elk-mine-owner-plans-merger/article_0818f4b0-6011-11ef-a731-2b53eb979336.html

https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/west-elk-mine-continues-to-lead-in-coal-production-in-colorado/article_6c21fcfc-eaf2-11ee-ae70-0304448a35c2.html

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West Elk Mine, Gunnison County, Colorado, USAiRegional Level TypesWest Elk MineMine (Active) Gunnison CountyCounty ColoradoState USACountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

List of minerals for each chemical element

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References

West Elk Mine, Gunnison County, Colorado, USA i
Regional Level Types
West Elk Mine Mine (Active)
Gunnison County County
Colorado State
USA Country