Feb 23 2015
Arch Coal, Inc. today announced that Mountain Coal Company's West Elk mine employees were honored with Colorado's top coal mine safety award and two state environmental awards at the 117th annual National Western Mining Conference and Exhibition in Denver.
"Through the dedication of its employees, West Elk continues to stand out among peers in safety and environmental performance," said John W. Eaves, Arch's president and chief executive officer. "I am extremely proud of their achievements and challenge them to build upon their record of excellence and to strive for continuous improvement in the future."
The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety presented the 2014 Excellence in Safety Award to West Elk, the state's leader in mine safety among large underground coal mines in Colorado. This marks the sixth consecutive year that West Elk has been recognized as the safest underground coal mine in Colorado, a record unmatched by any other large underground coal mine in the state. In late 2014, West Elk was also honored by the National Mining Association with the prestigious Sentinels of Safety Award for exceptional safety performance by a large underground coal mine.
In addition, West Elk was recognized by the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (CDRMS) for outstanding reclamation and the successful stabilization and remediation of a large native landslide area. The close proximity of this area to State Highway 133 underscored the importance of this work.
The CDRMS also recognized the mine with an Environmental Stewardship-Pollution Prevention Senior Participant Award with special recognition. West Elk again achieved its goals of remaining a zero water discharge facility by recycling water used during the mining process. West Elk also recycled more than 761,000 pounds of metal materials and continues to minimize the creation of waste rock by effectively utilizing its coal preparation facility.
Mountain Coal Company is a subsidiary of Arch Coal, Inc. Mountain Coal Company's West Elk mine is located in Somerset, Colo. More than 350 people are employed at the operation.
U.S.-based Arch Coal, Inc. is one of the world's top coal producers for the global steel and power generation industries, serving customers on five continents. Its network of mining complexes is the most diversified in the United States, spanning every major coal basin in the nation. The company controls more than 5 billion tons of high-quality metallurgical and thermal coal reserves, with access to all major railroads, inland waterways and a growing number of seaborne trade channels. For more information, visit www.archcoal.com.