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.
Also during the WV Mining Symposium, Consol’s Turkey Gap Refuse Impoundment in Mercer County claimed the state’s top award for environmental stewardship, the Greenlands Award, and several other companies were also recognized for their commitment to the environment.“We would like to congratulate Coal-Mac 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.”
“Those being recognized show 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.)