CHARLESTON – Coal-Mac’s New Ridge East Surface Mine in Mingo County took home the Turkey Habitat Award for its work in restoring former surface mine land for wildlife habitat, during the West Virginia Coal Association’s 40th Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium held Mar. 6-8 in Charleston.
Jason Bostic, vice president of the West Virginia Coal Association, said, “Coal-Mac’s work at the New Ridge East Surface Mine site combined the best of mountaintop removal, returning the area to a post-mine land use of hay land and pasture while integrating the development of a habitat for wild turkeys.”
Bostic noted that the site had already hosted several guided turkey hunts for area youth.