Alpha Natural Resources Wins Top National Reclamation Honor for Second Consecutive Year
ABINGDON, Va., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. announced that its Paramont Coal Co. Virginia LLC subsidiary won the 2007 National Mine Reclamation Award for the second straight year.
The award, given by the National Association of State Land Reclamationists (NASLR), recognizes Paramont’s innovative remining and forestry practices in reclaiming 250 acres on its former Black Bear #4 surface coal mine in Russell County, Va.
Black Bear #4 had previously received awards for reclamation excellence from the Virginia Department of Mined Land Reclamation and Virginia Mining Association, the federal Office of Surface Mining, and the Virginia Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative. An adjacent Paramont property, Black Bear #1, won five national and state awards previously including the NASLR’s National Mine Reclamation Award and the Interstate Mining Compact Commission’s top nationwide reclamation award. Black Bear #1 was the first reclaimed mine site in Virginia to have a natural stream channel restored on the property.
“Mining coal must go hand-in-hand with responsible reclamation of the land, and we take a lot of pride in returning our properties to a useful and valuable state,” said Kevin Crutchfield, President of Alpha Natural Resources. “In the case of Black Bear #4, by planting a dozen different tree species totaling more than 147,000 saplings, supplemented with native ground cover, we created a habitat for wildlife, an appealing space for recreation, and a potential revenue source for the landowner through harvestable timber.”
A recognized authority on the reclamation of mined lands, NASLR is composed of about 25 states and Canadian provinces that have regulatory programs to restore lands and waters affected by mining.
About Alpha Natural Resources
Alpha Natural Resources is a leading supplier of high-quality Appalachian coal to electric utilities, steel and coke producers, and industrial customers. Approximately 91 percent of the company’s reserve base is high Btu coal and 82 percent is low sulfur, qualities that are in high demand among electric utilities which use steam coal. Alpha is also one of the nation’s largest producers and exporters of metallurgical coal, a key ingredient in steel manufacturing. Alpha and its subsidiaries currently operate mining complexes in four states, consisting of 62 mines feeding 10 coal preparation and blending plants. The company and its subsidiaries employ more than 3,500 people.
Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.
CONTACT: Ted Pile of Alpha Natural Resources, +1-276-623-2920