Eighteen companies were recognized on Friday for excellence in mine reclamation for 2006. The awards were made at the concluding luncheon of the 34th Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium at the Charleston House Holiday Inn.
The awards are co-sponsored by the West Virginia Coal Association and the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection. To be eligible, a mining operation must be nominated by their local state inspector.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Eighteen companies were recognized on Friday for excellence in mine reclamation for 2006. The awards were made at the concluding luncheon of the 34th Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium at the Charleston House Holiday Inn.
The awards are co-sponsored by the West Virginia Coal Association and the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection. To be eligible, a mining operation must be nominated by their local state inspector.
The awards included special presentations by two conservation groups. Ducks Unlimited presented the Wetlands West Virginia Award to the Kiah Creek No. 1 Mine of Argus Energy, LLC for its wetlands development in Wayne County. The West Virginia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation gave the Wildlife West Virginia Award to Phoenix No. 1 Mine of Coal-Mac, Inc. for it work in establishing wildlife habitat in Mingo and Logan counties.
The Green Lands Award, given annually to the most outstanding operation for the previous year, went to the newly developed Mountain Laurel Complex, near Sharples, in Logan County. Mountain Laurel is a part of Mingo Logan Coal Co.
"It is always a great pleasure to make these awards," said WVCA President Bill Raney, "These companies go far beyond requirements of the law in order to be good stewards of West Virginia’s environment. These operations represent the best efforts of an overall outstanding job by the industry in 2006."
For more information, contact Bill Raney. He can be reached at (304) 342-4153.
2007 RECLAMATION AWARDS
WETLANDS WEST VIRGINIA AWARD
Argus Energy WV, LLC Kiah Creek No.1
WILDLIFE WEST VIRGINIA AWARD
Coal-Mac, Inc. Phoenix No. 1 Mine
AML NORTH AWARD
Ground Breakers, Inc.
In Preston County, for the efficient and successful completion of the “Kingwood 52.6 Waterline Extension Project,” in which the company installed nearly 13,000 linear feet of waterlines and related facilities, which restored high quality reliable water service to 154 residences and 15 businesses.
AML SOUTH AWARD
J&B Excavating, Inc.
In Fayette County, for the efficient and successful completion of the “McDunn (Hughes) Refuse Pile project,” in which the company regraded and revegetated 10 acres of refuse and constructed a sediment control barrier which resulted in additional flood protection for local residents.
Apogee Coal Co., LLC
Ruffner Complex
In Logan County, for long term overall excellence in the mining and reclamation of a large scale surface mine in steep terrain. Over the life of the operation, the company has eliminated more than 8 miles of pre-existing highwall and employed drainage and sediment control techniques that have resulted in the significant enhancement of wildlife habitat.
Black Wolf Mining Co.
Miracle Mountain Surface Mine
In McDowell County, for the diligent protection of an adjacent recreation area while carrying out mining operations and for outstanding revegetation performance in restoring 150 acres to post mining wildlife habitat.
Coal-Mac, Inc.
Holden 22 Surface Mine
In Mingo and Logan counties, for the acquisition and subsequent environmental restoration of a previously existing mine site that was near bond forfeiture. In just two years, the company had brought the site into full compliance, including the restoration of nearly two miles of highwall and the completion of three valley fills.
D&L Coal Co., Inc.
Oakmont Surface Mine
In Mineral County, for overall exemplary performance in responsible mining techniques and successful reclamation in restoring a steep slope site to a forestland post mining land use. The site has been transformed into a natural habitat for deer, turkey, bear, ducks, geese and other species.
Eastern Associated Coal, LLC
Federal No. 2 Complex
In Monongalia County, for overall exemplary performance in the operation of the Federal No. 2 underground mining and preparation plant complex. The company has consistently displayed diligence and outstanding attention to detail on this site, which has been in continuous production since 1968.
Eastern Associated Coal, LLC
Kopperston Refuse
In Wyoming County, for outstanding reclamation results in the restoration of the Kopperston Refuse site. Particularly effective was the company’s use of direct seeding methods to achieve high quality revegetation and the planting of 25 acres in well established hardwood tree species.
ICG Eastern
O’Brien Fork #1 Surface Mine
In Webster County, for exemplary design and construction of sediment control facilities during all phases of operation. The company and its contractor, Butler Construction and Excavation, employed consistently effective techniques in sediment control throughout the mining and reclamation processes.
J.F. Allen Co., Inc.
Mashey Gap Quarry
In Randolph County, for exemplary design and construction of roads, fills and drainage systems on a quarry site, resulting in the protection of local trout streams and the overall enhancement of wildlife habitat.
Kingwood Mining
Albright Preparation Plant
In Preston County, for the efficient reclamation of a preparation plant site, as well as the associated coal storage areas, particularly for the use of materials and techniques to achieve soil neutralization in an environmentally sensitive area.
Laurel Run Mining Co.
Potomac Mine – East Complex
In Monongalia County, for the complete and highly effective restoration of a 25 year old mine site, including the removal of a preparation plant, overland conveyor system, pond drainage and the reclamation of refuse disposal areas, as well as the maintenance of an acid mine drainage treatment system.
Loadout, LLC
No. 36 Mine
In Kanawha County, for innovative and successful techniques demonstrated in the construction of a wetland treatment system which effectively eliminated acid mine drainage for 1500 acres of a thirty year old underground mining complex.
Mid-Vol Coal Sales, Inc.
Road Fork No. 2 Mine
In McDowell County, for performance in remining beyond requirements of the law, which resulted in the return to approximate original contour of 26,000 feet of existing highwall and the restoration of 188 acres of previously mined land.
Pioneer Fuel Corp.
Pax Load-Out
In Fayette County, for exceptional performance in the construction of a state-of-the-art unit train and batch weigh loadout facility, and for the simultaneous protection of local trout streams. The company also mitigated the disturbance of 5 acres of existing wetlands by establishing approximately 25 acres of new wetlands.
GREEN LANDS AWARD
Mingo Logan Coal Co.
Mountain Laurel Complex
In Logan County, for large scale excellence in the construction and early operation of the Mountain Laurel Complex near Sharples. In additional to state-of-the art design and construction techniques, the company has initiated a Community Advisory Council, which has built and maintained excellent relations with local residents. In short, the employees of the Mountain Laurel Complex of the Mingo Logan Coal Co. have conducted the type of mining operation and achieved the superlative results to which all mining operations should aspire.�
