ST. LOUIS, March 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Seneca Coal Company has earned the 2006 Excellence in Reclamation Award from the Colorado Mining Association (CMA) and Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) for reclaiming more than 4,000 acres of land for wildlife habitat and livestock grazing, and establishing best practices for re-establishing native trees to provide enhanced wildlife habitat.
The former Seneca Mine was nominated by CMA and DRMS for participating in a study to evaluate native tree establishment on reclaimed lands. In 2004, Seneca partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service to analyze planting and watering techniques for restoring native aspen trees. Seneca has planted more than 140,000 trees and shrubs on reclaimed land.
"Seneca has a long history of excellence in stewardship and serves as an industry model, returning lands to a condition that is better than when we found it," says Kemal Williamson, Group Vice President for Peabody's U.S. Western Operations. "We are proud to be recognized among the state's most innovative for results that will benefit communities for years to come."
Peabody operations and affiliates earned a dozen awards for stewardship in 2006, including five major awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior for environmental excellence in Colorado, Illinois and Indiana.
Peabody Energy is the world's largest private-sector coal company, with 2006 sales of 248 million tons of coal and $5.3 billion in revenues. Its coal products fuel approximately 10 percent of all U.S. electricity generation and more than 2 percent of worldwide electricity.
The use of "Peabody," "the company," and "our" relate to Peabody, its subsidiaries and majority-owned affiliates.
CONTACT:
Beth Sutton
(314) 342-7573
