Of the seven awards handed out, PBS won one for mining and reclaiming 241 acres of farmland in Somerset County. Soil zones were systematically removed, segregated and redistributed to the pre-mining configuration.

Amerikohl won awards for three sites, mining and reclaiming 132 acres – of which 36 acres were previously abandoned mine lands in Indiana, Clarion and Beaver counties.

Work involved the removal of 230,000 tons of coal refuse from an old deep mine, reclamation of 2200 feet of highwall and amending soil and revegetating areas with grasses, legumes and trees to return sites back to pastureland, forests and unmanaged wildlife habitat.

Black Cat Coal was honored for mining and reclaiming work over 29 acres in Clearfield County, five being previously abandoned mine lands. The site was completed in 2012, returning the land to forest and cropland.

Coal Loaders earned recognition for mining and reclaiming 43 acres in Westmoreland County, 20 of which were previously abandoned mine lands. The reclaimed work included 700 feet of highwall and 19 acres of underground mining earthwork prior to revegetating with various cover crops and topsoil replacement methods in cooperation with the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative.

Mepco arm Shannopin Materials mined and reclaimed 53 acres, all of which were previously abandoned surface and deep mines in Greene County, and earned a PCA reclamation honor for the effort.

The reclamation involved removal of approximately 8000 feet of abandoned highwall, daylighting 20 acres of abandoned deep mine works, and reclaiming pit areas and an abandoned coal refuse pile.

Waroquier Coal was honored for mining and reclaiming 295 acres in Clearfield County, 271 of which were previously abandoned mine lands.

The reclamation included elimination of a 50-foot highway, elimination of a public dumping site and the continuation of a good quality public water spring.

Finally, PBS division Croner took home an award for mining and reclaiming about 261 acres in Somerset County, including six acres of abandoned mine lands. The site was reclaimed and graded to support 156 acres of prime farmland, as well as unmanaged natural habitat and woodlands.

“PBS and its employees continue to share a balanced commitment to ensure our values toward safety and efficiency while continuing to be good stewards of our environment,” PBS president D Lynn Shanks said.

“These awards demonstrate that these commitments can be achieved.

“Although the coal industry is too often given a black eye in the national media, our results verify that we are committed as an industry to ensuring environmental compliance. We as an industry must remain true to our values regarding safety and environmental stewardship.”