The winners of the 2012 Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Awards demonstrated a wide range of technical innovation, addressing agricultural productivity, protection of birds of prey, providing water for wildlife in semi-arid regions, and working effectively with people in coal-producing communities. This year, OSM chose award winners in two categories: the Good Neighbor Award and the National Award.
Two mining companies are the winners of the Good Neighbor Awards, given to operators that work closely with communities while executing reclamation plans. Aloca’s Sandow mine, located in Sandow, Texas, won for integrating several non-profit groups into its long-running and extensive reclamation plans. Alcoa encouraged community participation in its tree planting and water resource development plans, formed a Community Advisory Panel to engage local citizens, introduced sustainability and redevelopment plans, and worked closely with state biologists to help manage wildlife at the 17,000-acre mine site.
Cloud Peak Energy’s Antelope, Cordero Rojo and Spring Creek mines won for their contributions to three different communities near its mines in Montana and Wyoming. The three mine sites, which employ about 1,500 people, developed reclamation plans to build new shrub habitat in semi-arid climates. At the same time, the company sponsored local science fairs, provided displays at state fairs, and sponsored both non-profit service and educational support organizations.
