BILLINGS, Mont. — A company with coal mines in Wyoming and Montana said Thursday that it’s begun exporting fuel to Asia through a Canadian port — a rare bit of a positive news for an industry that’s been in a prolonged tailspin.

Details on the announcement from Lighthouse Resources were obtained in advance by The Associated Press.

The Utah-based company had been seeking approval since 2011 for a coal export terminal in Oregon and since 2010 for a terminal in Washington. It’s faced strong opposition from environmentalists, American Indian tribes and some state officials concerned over coal dust pollution and potential damage to fisheries on the Columbia River.

With the company’s coal now going through British Columbia’s Westshore Terminals, Lighthouse Chief Executive Officer Everett King said it was pulling out of the proposed coal terminal at Port of Morrow in Boardman, Ore., after that project stalled.

“Though we are disappointed for our Morrow Pacific Project supporters, we are very excited to commence delivery of products to our customers,” King said.

The fuel was destined for coal-burning power plants in South Korea, the company said. It declined to give shipment volumes.

The Washington state project, known as Millennium Bulk Terminals and located near the town of Longview, continues to move forward. It received a favorable review in a preliminary environmental assessment last month by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Overseas exports of U.S. coal have been touted as a lifeline for an industry wracked by a wave of bankruptcies and declining domestic demand for the fuel.

However, shipments to foreign nations peaked in 2012 and have since fallen sharply, as China and other countries have reduced their imports of the fuel, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Lighthouse Resources operates the Decker Mine in Montana and the Black Butte Mine in Wyoming. Combined, the mines employ more than 300 people and extracted roughly 6 million tons of fuel last year, according to data submitted to the U.S. Labor Department.

Black Butte is co-owned with Anadarko Petroleum.