ANR’s Black Bear No. 4 mine, an Appalachian complex in Russell County, Virginia, owned by the company’s Paramont division, was given the 2007 Overall Award for Excellence in Mining and Reclamation from the Virginia Division of Mined Land Reclamation and the Virginia Mining Association (VMA).

It is the second year in a row the property has taken the honour, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

The operation was also given this year’s Virginia Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) Award for reforestation. The reclamation efforts at the property, it said, included the planting of 147,000 trees of varying species as well as native and non-competitive ground cover.

Both awards were accepted by ANR at the 36th Annual VMA Awards ceremony on April 12.

“All our reclamation plans are carefully thought out to create an attractive post-mining environment for future generations to enjoy,” said Paramont Mining president Eddie Bateman.

“This and other reclamation successes are tangible proof that mining and environmental stewardship can be compatible goals.”

Alpha Natural Resources currently controls 65 mines in four states as well as 10 coal preparation facilities.