Taggart Global, an engineering firm based in Pittsburgh that specializes in prep plant construction, announced this week that it was acquired by Forge Group, an EPCM firm based in Perth, Australia, for $43 million plus a further $25 million of potential earn-out payments. Founded in 1993, Taggart has some of the world’s leading blue chip resources and utility companies as customers with long-term contracts and relationships spanning many years. The company employs 600 people.

Westmoreland Coal Co. officials announced that the Jewett mine in Jewett, Texas, has been recognized by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Railroad Commission of Texas–Surface Mining and Reclamation Division and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for dedication to environmental excellence. Company officials were pleased given the scope of the competition. “It was competing against all industries and businesses in the state, not just other mining companies,” said Westmoreland CEO Robert P. King.