Alex Energy’s Whitman surface mine was given the Surface Reclamation South Award by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and West Virginia Coal Association at the recent WVCA symposium in Charleston, West Virginia.

The Logan County operation was recognized for its work to prepare soil for permanent vegetative cover and site work that produced an extraordinary diversity in tree species including more than 60% native hardwoods and a two-acre apple orchard.

The 22 different species of trees have consistently had a significant growth rate and a survival rate of 85-90%, the company said.

Receiving the Exemplary Reclamation of a Refuse Facility award was Alpha’s Kanawha Energy Jackson Hollow Refuse.

The Barbour County property was renovated and had ditches installed as well as improvements to water flow and the repair to and prevention of future erosion.

Crews at Jackson Hollow worked closely with the WVDEP throughout the reclamation work, which took about four months, the producer said.

“We care about our environment and proactively take steps to be good stewards,” senior vice president of environmental affairs Gene Kitts said.

“We congratulate these operations for a job well done. Their hard work and dedication are examples of our commitment to doing what is right."

Alpha’s other mining complexes and facility properties are located in Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Wyoming.