The company was praised at the West Virginia Environmental Awards, which were held during the 39th annual West Virginia Coal Association Mining Symposium earlier this month.
This year’s surface mine reclamation award recognised Walter Energy's surface mines at Nicholas county for excellence in design, operation and reclamation of a surface mining operation.
Eligible mining operations were nominated for the awards by their local state inspector in recognition of the operation's commitment to the stewardship of the state's natural resources.
Water Energy president of West Virginia Operations Dan Stickel said: “We are proud to have been recognized by the West Virginia Coal Association for our commitment to environmental stewardship at our Lower Muddlety No .1 and No. 2 surface mines.
“Our company strives to comply with all environmental regulations in order to be good stewards of the resources in West Virginia.”
The nomination process analyzed the reclamation nominees' performance according to six criteria – valley fills and regrade, sediment control, roads, material handling, blasting, and water quality and violations.
In his award nomination West Virginia inspector Cam Ford cited the company’s commitment to workplace safety and excellent safety record.
