Quick answer
The producing mines are two surface mines.[1] They produced lignite coal, and EIA places them in the Other Western coal supply region.[1] Mines in the county produced 13,546,617 short tons in 2023, so output rose by about 2 percent in 2024.[1]
| Mine | Type | Coal rank | Short tons, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom Mine | Surface | Lignite | 11,860,169 |
| Coyote Creek Mine | Surface | Lignite | 1,913,979 |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Coal Report mine-level data for 2024, released November 19, 2025. Data compiled November 1, 2026.
Surface mining is often used when coal is less than 200 feet underground, and underground mining is used when coal lies deeper.[2] The coal leases in a 2020 West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals decision carried a tonnage royalty, a minimum annual royalty and a fixed term of years.[3] North Dakota is one of the 24 states with an approved coal regulatory program, so the state is the primary regulator of coal mining there and handles permitting, inspection and enforcement, with oversight from the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.[4]
The Western coal region includes Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Colorado and other states, and surface mines produce most of its coal.[5]
Lignite was produced in five states in 2022, led by North Dakota and Texas, with smaller amounts from Mississippi, Louisiana and Montana.[6]
What Buckhead buys depends on the deal, and Buckhead tells the seller up front which interest it is offering to buy — for example, the payments for the rest of the current lease term, a term easement, or a longer-term interest. The coal leases in a 2020 West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals decision carried a tonnage royalty, a minimum annual royalty and a fixed term of years.[3] Coal rights can also be divided by seam: in one West Virginia case, the leases covered all the coal in all seams above a named seam on the leased tracts.[3]
Educational information only — not legal, tax, or investment advice. The figures are public reference data, not a valuation or appraisal of any interest. Consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or landman about your specific situation.
Mercer County, North Dakota had two producing coal mines in 2024, which produced 13,774,148 short tons of coal, according to mine-level data in the U.S. Energy Information Administration's Annual Coal Report for 2024.[1] Mines in the county produced 13,546,617 short tons in 2023, so output rose by about 2 percent in 2024.[1]
The mines were Freedom Mine (surface, 11,860,169 short tons) and Coyote Creek Mine (surface, 1,913,979 short tons).[1]
Buckhead Energy buys coal mineral rights and coal royalties. What Buckhead buys depends on the deal, and Buckhead tells the seller up front which interest it is offering to buy — for example, the payments for the rest of the current lease term, a term easement, or a longer-term interest.
The producing mines are two surface mines.[1] Surface mining is often used when coal is less than 200 feet underground, and underground mining is used when coal lies deeper.[2]
North Dakota is one of the 24 states with an approved coal regulatory program, so the state is the primary regulator of coal mining there and handles permitting, inspection and enforcement, with oversight from the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.[4]
Nearby North Dakota counties with producing coal mines include McLean County (7,400,184 short tons in 2024) and Oliver County (4,240,336 short tons in 2024).[1]
Coal Mineral Rights and Royalties in North Dakota
Selling Coal Mineral Rights and Coal Royalties
Oil and gas mineral rights in Mercer County, North Dakota
Mineral rights in North Dakota
Wind Royalties and Lease Payments in Mercer County
[1] Annual Coal Report, mine-level production (2024 data, released November 19, 2025) — U.S. Energy Information Administration (accessed November 1, 2026)
[2] Coal explained: Coal mining and transportation — U.S. Energy Information Administration (accessed November 1, 2026)
[3] Iaeger Energy Development, LLC v. Moore, No. 18-0409 (memorandum decision, Jan. 13, 2020) — Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia (accessed November 1, 2026)
[4] Regulating Active Coal Mines — Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (accessed November 1, 2026)
[5] Coal explained: Where our coal comes from — U.S. Energy Information Administration (accessed November 1, 2026)
[6] Coal explained — U.S. Energy Information Administration (accessed November 1, 2026)
Buckhead Energy buys coal mineral rights and coal royalties.
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