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In 1935 Emil Usibelli came to Alaska and worked as an underground miner in the Evans Jones Mine near Palmer. Eight years later, Emil and his friend, Thad Sanford, went into the coal mining business for themselves. In 1948 Emil bought out his partner and incorporated the company. Over the next few years, UCM increased its share of the military's coal demand and began its first commercial sales to Fairbanks area utilities. In 1961, UCM purchased Suntrana Mining Company and became the predominant supplier to the military. In 1964 at age 70, Emil was killed in a mining accident. Joe Usibelli, his only son, took over operations at the age of 25.

In 1967, the construction of Golden Valley's electrical plant was complete thus supplying UCM with another large customer. In 1971, UCM purchased the neighboring Vitro Mine and became the sole producing coal mine in Alaska. In 1977 UCM purchased an enormous dragline capable of removing up to 37 cubic yards of dirt with each bucket. In 1981 construction was completed on the new train loading coal tipple along the Nenana River. A fifteen year contract was signed with Korea electric Power Corporation in 1984. This resulted in the construction of the Seward coal loading facility. In May of 1995, construction began on the Healy Clean Coal Project, a 50 megawatt power plant adjacent to Golden valley's existing 25 megawatt plant. This plant began operations in 1998 and completed a successful demonstration in 1999.