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Karen Batra (202) 463-2651

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2001

MINING ORGANIZATIONS HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

WASHINGTON -- Peabody Energy Corporation, Hecla Mining Company, the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota, and Joy Mining Machinery were presented the National Mining Association's Chairman's Award for Excellence in Mining Education at an awards event held today here in Washington.

Since its inception in 1997, the award has been given annually to recognize exceptional efforts by mining companies and associations to promote mining literacy among the nation's schools, teachers and students.

Peabody Energy Corporation, which won in the coal category; created a "virtual classroom" in one of Arizona's most remote communities, the Navajo town of Forest Lake, where students live 50 miles from their classrooms in the Kayenta United School District. A public and private partnership between Peabody, the school district, Navajo Communications and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service has brought telephone service, video conferencing and Internet access to the Forest Lake community. The virtual classroom includes 15 computer work stations offering students in remote areas access to their teachers and classrooms in Kayenta. Peabody's Arizona Operations also presents an annual energy workshop to science and math educators, placing particular emphasis on technology and the environment.

Hecla Mining Company won in the hardrock category for their comprehensive mineral education program. Hecla has a long history in the Silver Valley area of Idaho and offers the area's educational community a wide range of opportunities such as mine tours, research support, workshops, a teacher mentor program, and a teacher summer internship program that encourages teachers to truly understand the important of mining. The intern program has been in place since 1984 and provides participants the opportunity to spend one month each summer as paid employees, working on everything from minerals exploration and mining methods to accounting and shareholder services. The teacher spends a week at an underground mine and several days in the field with geologist and environmental specialists and then can pass their new knowledge of mining to students and faculty within the local school districts. Another popular program is their "mad scientist award" that encourages a hands-on, creative approach to teaching science in the classroom.

Joy Mining Machinery was the winner in the manufacturers and services category. Joy's success this year was the result of a well-thought-out plan supported by the company's top executives and launched in January 2001. "Education Leaders" from Joy's locations around the country were trained in giving classroom presentations, given Classroom Speaker Go-Kits and other classroom materials, and encouraged to present the benefits of mining in their local classrooms. By the end of the school year, these employees had taught 2,288 students and 85 teachers about mining and have more visits planned for the coming year. Joy also awarded $1,000 scholarships to mining engineering students at eight universities, another new program for 2001.

The winner from the associations category, the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota, created a minerals-education program for 6th grade students. Taconite rocks were delivered to more than 90 sixth-grade teachers in more than 20 school districts, and each teacher was invited to tour a local mine and processing plant to give him or her first-hand knowledge of the subject matter. In addition, mini-grants of up to $500 were given to 16 teachers for innovative educational projects that focus on mining, geology, science, business or mathematics. Since 1996 the association has been honoring the top 10 percent of seniors graduating from area high schools at a Day of Excellence, including a tour of a taconite operation, lunch and gifts.

The U.S. mining industry produces coal, metals, building materials, and many other essential minerals that define the daily lives of 267 million Americans. The mining industry generates over $500 billion in total economic benefit each year and helps to sustain nearly 3 million U.S. jobs.