The company was recognised for its excellence in safety performance, environmental stewardship and leadership in advancing technology solutions. No mention was made of its ability to manage a balance sheet.   

The inaugural Energy & Mining Awards recognise the "most influential firms and individuals that stand out in their field from all corners of the world". 

The judges were particularly impressed by "Peabody's emphasis on responsible coal mining and coal use, and its role as a pioneer in sustainability".

Peabody Energy CEO Glenn Kellow said the company had been globally recognised for its sustainable approach to mining.

"We take great pride in operating safely, restoring high-value lands and being a leading voice for advanced coal technologies," he said.

Safety is Peabody's first value and a leading measure of operational excellence, according to the company.

In 2016 the company set a record for safety, with a global incidence rate of 1.22 per 200,000 hours worked, representing a 35% improvement over the past five years.

Sustainability is also a core value.

The company views land restoration as an essential part of the coal mining process and has spent more than $175 million restoring some 48,000 acres of mined lands into rangeland, wildlife habitat, hardwood forests, prime farmland and wetlands during the past decade.

 

For nearly two decades Peabody also widely advocated the use of technology to lower emissions in power generation and other industrial uses, while investing hundreds of millions of dollars in clean coal technology projects and partnerships.