Navajo Mine begins large-scale mining operations in 1963 by its original operator, Utah International in areas south of Fruitland, New Mexico on the Navajo Nation. Over the years, it has become one of the largest surface mining operations in the United States. The Navajo Mine is the sole supplier of coal to the adjacent Four Corners Power Plant (FCPP).  The electricity generated from the Navajo Mine coal plays a significant role in meeting the energy needs of the rapidly growing Southwest.

Navajo Mine is acquired by BHP.

BHP Billiton and the owners of the FCPP are unable to reach agreement on the renewal of the coal supply agreement.  BHP Billiton decides to divest its interest in the Navajo Mine and begins to search for a suitable buyer.

The Navajo Nation creates NTEC under Navajo law as an autonomous commercial entity to “promote the development of the Navajo Nation’s resources and new sources of energy, power, transmission and attendant resources to develop the economic, financial, social and cultural well-being of the Navajo People and the Navajo Nation.” NTEC is formed as an LLC with the Navajo Nation as its sole shareholder. 

Department of Interior and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement issue a record of decision approving a 25-year site lease extension for Navajo Mine and Four Corners Power Plant.

NTEC receives the Western Regional Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation award from the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

NTEC finalized the acquisition of seven-percent ownership of Four Corners Power Plant, a 1,550 MW power plant. This makes NTEC the only tribal company in the United States to have partial ownership of a coal-fired power plant.

With the closure of NGS and Kayenta mine, NTEC massively expands its free coal distribution program to provide essential heating coal across the Navajo Nation and to the Hopi communities.

In October 2019, NTEC acquired the assets of Cloud Peak Energy through a bankruptcy auction process.  These include three coal mines in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana (Antelope, Cordero Rojo, and Spring Creek). NTEC becomes the third-largest producer of coal in the United States.

The Navajo Mine is spending approximately $4 million each year with qualified Navajo vendors and businesses.