U.S. Coal Mining Companies Reclaim Nearly 2.4 Million Acres of Land 

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. coal mining companies have successfully reclaimed 2,376,805 acres of formerly mined lands from 1978 through FY 2009, according to government statistics updated this week. The data include projects that have successfully completed approved plans for restoring mined land to a beneficial use. Thousands of additional acres have been reclaimed, but await formal release by regulatory authorities.

According to National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO Hal Quinn, Mine land reclamation is a tremendous success story for U.S. coal mining and the federal and state regulatory agencies that oversee these projects. NMA is pleased to partner each year with the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement (OSM) to recognize the nation's most outstanding achievement in environmentally sound surface mining and reclamation, and Wyoming projects have been consistent winners of these prestigious awards. The Antelope Mine south of Gillette, Wyoming, is a good example. In October, it won OSM's award for Excellence in Surface Mining Reclamation for successfully targeting and planting five shrub species that improved habitat for sage-grouse and other wildlife enhancing the science of reclamation and biodiversity on reclaimed lands, Quinn explained. These reclaimed lands represent active sustainable development that relies on the expertise of specialists employed by coal mines as well as state and federal personnel. Examples of successful coal mine reclamation in Wyoming that promote biodiversity in both plant material and wildlife include reclaimed lands in the Powder River Basin that now provide crucial winter habitat for elk as part of the conservation easement through the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. In other areas, prey base habitats have been replaced for eagles and other predators. Wyoming coal mines also have constructed many extraordinary wetlands that provide a home to game birds. Wyoming coal mining demonstrates that environment performance can go hand-in-hand with economic opportunity, Quinn continued. Wyoming coal provides about 20 percent of the nation's electricity, directly employs nearly 7,000 people and annually contributes more than $1.8 billion in revenue to state and local governments. The company's address is 101 Constitution Ave. NW, Suite 500 East, Washington, D.C. 20001, (202) 463-2600, fax: (202) 463-2666, email: [email protected].