The awards were presented at the 107th National Western Mining Conference and Exhibition at the Hyatt Regency in Denver. The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology and the Colorado Mining Association (CMA) presented West Elk with the awards.

West Elk Mine was honoured for outstanding land reclamation in two separate projects over the past three years. West Elk has operated for more than five years without a state environmental violation.

West Elk was also recognised for its outstanding contribution to Colorado's Pollution Prevention Program, including the development of an outstanding environmental, health, and safety plan for all employees.

Additionally, West Elk was honoured for improvements in underground mine safety, attributed to an extensive safety training program. In 2004 West Elk's safety performance was at least 70% better than the coal industry's national average (based on lost-time incident rates).

"Our objective is to protect our employees and the environment while providing clean-burning, low-sulfur coal to America," said Arch Western Bituminous Group president Gene DiClaudio.

"The men and women at West Elk are to be congratulated for earning three significant awards for their tremendous efforts in safety and reclamation practices."

Operated by Arch subsidiary Mountain Coal Company, West Elk Mine was ranked eighth most productive longwall mine in the US in the Weir IMC Statistical Review. The mine produces about 6.5 million tons per year at an average productivity rate of 90 tons per employee-shift.