Consol Coal Co. Claims Greenlands Award; Coal-Mac Receives Turkey Habitat Award
CHARLESTON – Consolidation Coal Company and their Turkey Gap Refuse Impoundment in Mercer County claimed the state’s top award for environmental stewardship – the Greenlands Award – at the West Virginia Coal Association’s 40th Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium held Mar. 6-8 in Charleston.
Thirteen other companies were also recognized for their commitment to the environment at the Symposium, one of the nation’s top coal industry events.
“We would like to congratulate Consolidation Coal Company and all the other companies who were recognized for their hard work and responsible reclamation,” said Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association. “Each of these companies goes far beyond what is required to restore former mine lands. We always say coal miners are the real environmentalists. They don’t just talk about doing something… they go out and do it. They do it because this is their home. We are proud to represent these companies and the 63,000 coal mining families who live and work here in West Virginia.”
In presenting the Greenland’s Award to Consol, West Virginia Coal Association Vice President Jason Bostic said, “This award is for their work in reclaiming a refuse area, preparation plant and a deep mine complex. After reclamation of the mining complex was completed, Consol initiated reclamation of the impoundment in 2011 and finished it in 2012, leaving an aesthetically pleasing and highly functional end result.”
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. Bostic said Coal-Mac’s work “combined the best of mountaintop mining, 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.
“These winners demonstrate the importance our industry places on being environmentally responsible,” Bostic said. “Our companies are at the cutting edge of the science of environmental reclamation, recognized the world over for their work.”
The following companies also took home individual awards for environmental restoration at the Symposium:
- ·Surface Mine Reclamation South Award: Alex Energy, Inc.’s Whitman Surface Mine (Logan Co.).
- ·Coal Refuse Reclamation South Award: Pocahontas Coal Co.’s East Gulf Complex (Raleigh Co.).
- ·Deep Mine Reclamation South Award: Consol Coal Co.’s Itmann #3 Mine (Wyoming Co.).
- ·Refuse Reclamation North Award: Wolf Run Mining Co.’s Reed Hollow Refuse (Upshur Co.).
- ·Surface Mine Reclamation North Award: Ten-A Coal Co.’s Koon Surface Mine (Marion Co.).
- ·Drainage and Sediment Control South Award: Met Resources, LLC’s McComas Surface Mine #1 (Mercer Co.).
- ·Refuse Reclamation North Award: Kanawha Energy Co.’s Jackson Hollow Refuse (Barbour Co.).
- ·Pool Dewatering Project Award: Mingo-Logan Coal Co.’s Mountain Laurel Complex (Boone & Logan Co’s.).
- ·Drainage and Sediment Control Award: Apogee Coal Co.’s Guyan Surface Mine (Logan Co.).
- ·Haulroad Construction South Award: Met Resources, LLC’s McComas Haulroad (Mercer Co.).
- ·AML North Award: Collins Building & Contracting (Tucker Co.)
- ·AML South Award: Eastern Arrow, Sugar Branch Burning Refuse (Logan Co.)