Louisville, KY - Petroleum prices continue to rise across the United States, but here in Kentucky, two underground mining operations have not missed a beat. They are using a blend of Biodiesel in all of their underground equipment. The Maysville mine continues to use a 99 percent Biodiesel blend.  The Black River mine has used a blend that is comprised of between 50 and 99 percent Biodiesel.

Carmeuse mines limestone for the production of lime, which is used as aggregate and sold to power plants as a sulfur removal agent. Carmeuse began using a 99 percent blend of Biodiesel one year ago at both their Black River (Pendleton County) and Maysville (Mason County) sites. Combined, the mines use approximately 1 million gallons of fuel annually and store it on site.

Carmeuse has over 400 employees in their surface and mine operations in Kentucky.  Over half of these employees work in the mines operating approximately 150 pieces of equipment with diesel engines.  In terms of tons of lime produced, the Maysville site is the second largest in the nation with the Black River site following right behind as third largest.

By utilizing Biodiesel as their primary fuel, Carmeuse supports the health of their workers and the health of the Kentucky and U.S. farm economy,” said Jeff Lykins, President of the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition.

Biodiesel was not an unfamiliar fuel when Carmeuse began using it at the higher blend in 2007.

A joint air quality-testing program took place at both sites in 2003 when blends of 20 percent and 50 percent were tested.  The results, published by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), showed a significant reduction in Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM).

MSHA is the governing body that sets limits for the concentrations of DPM in the air in a mine as well as limits for personnel exposure. The testing was done in conjunction with the Governor’s Office of Energy Policy and the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coaltion.

Biodiesel is typically used as a fuel additive to petroleum diesel.  It can be produced from vegetable oils or animal tallow. It is renewable and biodegradable

Carmeuse is a leading global producer of lime, with more than 140 years of experience in the extraction and processing of high calcium limestone and dolomitic stone into lime and lime-related products for many different industrial customers.  Lime is used in multiple products and industries of everyday life, such as steel, construction, agriculture, paper, chemicals, plastics, carpets, paints, water treatment, and pollution and gas control.