FAIRBANKS -- It could be a record-breaking year for Usibelli Coal Mine.

Aurora Energy Services, a subsidiary of Usibelli, says it expects to exceed 1 million metric tons of coal exports this year.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (http://bit.ly/tywPNj ) says it would be the first time the company reached that milestone in 26 years.

About four trains travel the Alaska Railroad between Healy and Seward each week. Each train carries about 7,000 tons of coal destined for Chile, Japan and South Korea

Usibelli began mining coal in Healy in 1943. The company started by producing coal for the Army.

The company supplies fuel to Alaska's six coal-fired power plants.

Coal exportations through Seward began in 1985.