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Westmoreland's Rosebud Mine Receives Top National Reclamation Award

Posted on: Wednesday, 21 September 2005, 12:00 CDT

Westmoreland Coal Company (AMEX: WLB) announced today that its Rosebud Mine, located in Colstrip, Montana, has received a National Award for Excellence in Surface Mining from the Office of Surface Mining and Enforcement (OSM) of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). The Rosebud Mine was recognized for its innovative engineering design for final pit reclamation. The design preserved and blended native topographic features that include several steep slopes, sandstone cliffs, and rock outcrops. The final design enhances valuable habitat features by minimizing disturbance within permit requirements. The objective of the reclamation was to minimize disturbance, approximate the original landscape, and reduce impact to fish, wildlife, vegetation, and other environmental values. As an example, approximately 5,000 ponderosa pine trees and associated plant and animal species were left undisturbed.

Jeffrey Jarrett, Director of the OSM, presented the award to Bob Montgomery, Technical Services Manager, and Jesse Noel, Senior Engineer for the Rosebud Mine, at an awards ceremony honoring award recipients held last evening in Washington, DC. Also in attendance were officials from the DOI and its Bureau of Land Management, the National Mining Association (NMA) and several Members of Congress. "These awards testify to the extraordinary progress made by modern mining in exceeding the environmental expectations of the American people and demonstrate our deep commitment to the communities in which we operate," said NMA President and CEO Kraig R. Naasz.

John V. O'Laughlin, Vice President of Coal Operations for Westmoreland Coal Company, commented: "I am extremely proud of the initiative taken by the Rosebud Mine to achieve an improvement of environmental resources within the reclaimed area. The work of the engineering staff, led by Bob Montgomery, serves as a practical solution to reclamation challenges that resulted in an outstanding on-the-ground reclamation demonstration. Bob, his team, and the employees of the Rosebud Mine are to be congratulated on this prestigious award."

Christopher K. Seglem, Westmoreland Coal Company's Chairman, President and CEO, added: "This project is a great example of how our people are working to fulfill our mission of meeting America's duel goals of low-cost power and a clean environment through safe, efficient and responsible mining."

Westmoreland Coal Company is the oldest independent coal company in the United States and ranked among the top ten U.S. coal producers again in 2004. Westmoreland's coal operations include Powder River Basin coal mining in Montana and lignite mining operations in Montana, Texas and North Dakota. The Company also owns interests in three independent power projects. Westmoreland is implementing a growth strategy dedicated to meeting America's dual goals of low-cost power and a clean environment through the acquisition and development of complementary, niche opportunities in coal, power and other segments of the energy sector. For more information about Westmoreland visit www.westmoreland.com.

Source: Business Wire

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