The award is for best overall environmental design and construction and is the 10th won by an Arch subsidiary since 2001.

The WV Division of Environmental Protection also dished out environmental awards for construction and innovative drainage techniques to Arch’s Mingo Logan coal company, its Mountain Laurel mining complex, plus Arch-owned Coal-Mac's Pine Branch mine and Vindex Energy.

Coal-Mac further won the 2013 West Virginia good neighbour award while Arch picked up four WV 2013 safety awards last week.

Among these was the Eustace E Frederick milestones of safety award won by Mountain Laurel's Mountaineer for best safety performance out of WV’s large underground coal mines.

Coal-Mac's Holden 22 mine won the Bart B Lay Jr milestones of safety award for best safety performance for the state’s surface coal mines.

Rounding out the 10 awards, Mountain Laurel's Cardinal preparation plant and the Sentinel mine both won West Virginia mountaineer guardian award for exemplary safety records last year.

“Year after year, our West Virginia miners continue to prove themselves as leaders in safety and environmental care," Arch chief operating office Paul Lang said.

"It's an honour and a privilege to be recognised state wide by government regulators and industry peers for our deep commitment to responsible practices."