The Department of the Interior began the environmental awards program for mining in 1986 with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) “Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Award.” A parallel program for abandoned mine land reclamation was launched in 1992. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) first presented its mining awards in 2003 to recognize sustainable development practices that include separate categories for environmental practices throughout the mining community.

Today the awards are presented to mines making outstanding contributions to the environment, mine reclamation and community outreach. 

The winners of the Department of the Interior’s annual Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards are:

BLM Hardrock Mineral Environmental Award:

Barrick Gold Corporation, Golden Sunlight Mine, Jefferson County, Montana

BLM Hardrock Mineral Small Operator Award:

Taiga Mining Company, Bear Creek Operation, Alaska

BLM Community Outreach and Economic Security Award:

Newmont Mining Corporation, Community Investment and Sustainability Programs, Nevada

OSM National Awards:

Peabody Energy, Cottage Grove Mine, Equality, Illinois

Glenrock Coal Company, Dave Johnson Mine, Glenrock, Wyoming

Peabody Powder River Mining, LLC, North Antelope Rochelle Mine, Wright, Wyoming

OSM Good Neighbor Awards

Alcoa Inc., Sandow Mine, Rockdale, Texas

Cloud Peak Energy Resources LLC, Antelope, Cordero Rojo, and Spring Creek Mines, Gillette, Wyoming

The five winners of the 2012 Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Awards are:

National Winner: The Dents Run AML/AMD Ecosystem Restoration Project, Benezette Township, Elk County, Pennsylvania

Appalachian Region Winner: Lower Rock Creek Watershed Restoration Project, McCreary County, Kentucky

Mid-Continent Region Winner: I-72 Piers 3 Sag Subsidence Emergency, Sangamon County, Illinois

Western Region Winner: Spring Meadow Lake Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project, Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana

Small Project Winner: Maclean 3 Abandoned Mine Reclamation Project, Carbon County, Utah

The 2012 Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Award winners are:

National Award: Cottage Grove Mine, Peabody Energy, Equality, Illinois

National Award: Dave Johnston Mine, Glenrock Coal Company, Glenrock, Wyoming

National Award: North Antelope Rochelle Mine, Peabody Powder River Mining, LLC, Wright, Wyoming

Good Neighbor Award: Alcoa Sandow Mine, Alcoa, Inc., Rockdale, Texas

Good Neighbor Award: Antelope, Cordero Rojo, and Spring Creek Mines, Cloud Peak Energy Resources LLC, Gillette, Wyoming

To learn more about the Department of the Interior awards, please visit www.doi.gov