Excellence in Reclamation Award
The Excellence in Reclamation Award was initiated in 1996 to recognize excellence in coal, hard rock, aggregate, and abandoned mine land reclamation projects, and other industry-related initiatives worthy of recognition. EMNRD-MMD presents the awards at the annual New Mexico Mining Association Convention.
Examples of appropriate nomination topics include, but are not limited to: 1) advancing reclamation science through studies at the mine site, using the scientific method; 2) applying state-of-the-art, innovative reclamation techniques which mitigate mining-related impacts to people and/or the environment (surface water, ground water, livestock, wildlife habitat, plants, soils, or cultural resources); 3) developing state-of-the art, innovative post-mine land use applications to reclaimed portions of the mine site; 4) voluntary reclamation of a mine by an operator that is not required by any regulatory program; 5) increasing public awareness of mining issues through open public processes (e.g., stakeholder meetings, voluntary public meetings, publications, etc.); or, 6) other related efforts or initiatives deserving special recognition.
Nomination criteria:
- Eligible nominees include any entity involved in the reclamation of a mine site or portion of a mine site in New Mexico; or other related efforts or initiatives deserving recognition.
- Not eligible nominees include those currently in violation of any state or federal environmental law.
- Nominations can be for a site that is either an active or inactive mining operation in the state, regardless of whether they are under MMD’s jurisdiction.
- Nominations can include reclamation or safeguarding on abandoned mine land.
- Nominations can include educational or instructional programs aimed at raising awareness of and interest in mining-related professions.
- Nominations for awards may be made by any interested person, group or company including: consulting groups, environmental groups, the owner or operator of the mine, government agencies, or the contractor performing the reclamation.
Past award winners and projects are listed below.
YEAR | AWARDEE(S) | PROJECT(S) |
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2022 | Press Release | Project Information, Videos: Chinde Pond; Badlands with Wetlands |
Navajo Transitional Energy Company, LLC | “Chinde Wash Wetland and Riparian Mitigation” project further demonstrates NTEC’s commitment to offset mining impacts through responsible actions and practices to restore land, water, and natural resources to a balanced state for future beneficial use. This project also received the 2022 OSMRE National Award for Coal Mine Reclamation in November. | |
2021 | Press Release | Project Information |
Peabody Natural Resources Company | For its reclamation work at El Segundo Mine implementing geomorphic principals into contemporaneous reclamation that improved material handling and reclamation outcomes. | |
Navajo Transitional Energy Company, LLC, and Bisti Fuels Company, LLC |
For their project: “Navajo Mine – Restoring the Land, One Watershed at a Time” that holistically applies geomorphic principles and other innovative methods to return thousands of acres of Navajo Nation land to a self-sustaining post mine land grazing use | |
2020 | Press Release | Project Information |
Picuris Pueblo | U.S. Hill Mine reclamation project to provide access to important spiritual sites and traditional sources of materials collected by Picuris pot makers for many generations | |
The Española Mercantile Company, and Matt Lane | Erosion correction projects at Las Conchas and El Cajete pumice mines using adaptive and creative approaches in reclamation of particularly challenging sites | |
2019 | Press Release | Presentation |
Navajo Transitional Energy Company, and North American Coal Corporation – Bisti Fuels Company | Navajo Mine – Powering the Navajo Nation through Education: Dedication to cultivate interest in mining, reclamation, and STEM-related careers through education, outreach, and community service to help students and residents from the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities | |
Freeport McMoRan Chino Mines, Borderlands Restoration Network, Gila Watershed Partnership, Bat Conservation International | Agave Roundup in Grant County: Salvaging more than 750 agave plants for use in mine reclamation areas and non-mining areas for the benefit of improved bat habitat and environmental awareness | |
2018 | Miocene, LLC | Small mine operation reclamation, Section 2 Mine |
Presentation | ||
2017 | Press Release | Presentation |
Rangeland Hands, Inc. Riverbend Engineering, LLC |
Madrid Low Impact Stormwater Project (this project also received the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s 2017 Western Region Award, presented at the National Association of Abandoned Mine Lands Programs’ annual conference – read the announcement) | |
2016 | Press Release | Presentation |
Oxbow Ecological Engineering, LLC, and Duran Bokich Enterprises, LLC | Grants Uranium-Spencer Mine Safeguard and Reclamation Project Awards presented for innovative landforming design, and for meeting high standards of construction excellence. |
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2015 | Press Release | Presentation |
Bureau of Land Management Las Cruces District Office | Abandoned mine safeguarding projects in the Cerrillos, Lemitar, and Florida mining districts; and significant field reconnaissance and data collection on abandoned mines in New Mexico | |
2014 | Press Release | Presentation |
Duran Bokich Enterprises, LLC and Peabody Natural Resources Company | Bradley Group Mine Safeguard Project – Phase I El Segundo Coal Mine Contemporaneous Reclamation |
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2013 | Press Release | Presentation |
Ames Construction, Inc. | La Plata Transportation Corridor Project | |
River Source, Inc. | Education and Community Outreach – Swastika Mine | |
2012 | Press Release | Presentation |
Kiewit New Mexico Company 814 Solutions LLC Water and Earth Technologies Inc. Habitat Management Inc. |
Swastika Mine and Dutchman Canyon Project
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Trihydro Corporation Dillon Land Company |
York Canyon Complex Reclamation Maintenance | |
Freeport-McMoRan Tyrone Inc. | Tyrone Tailing Dam Reclamation | |
2011 | Larry M. Coons, P.E. | Velarde Mill |
Runyan Construction | Harding Pegmatite Mine | |
2010 | INTERA Incorporated | JJ No. 1 Mine |
2009 | St. Cloud Mining Company | Yankee Mine Reclamation Project |
Rangeland Hands, Inc. | Yankee Stream Maintenance | |
2008 | Chevron Mining, Inc. | McKinley Mine |
Cobre Mining Company | Hanover Empire Zinc, Zinc Hill and Shaft/Adit Closures on Cobre Property | |
St. Cloud Mining Company, Inc. | Lake Valley Mine Safeguard Project Phase II | |
2007 | San Juan Coal Company | San Juan, La Plata and Black Diamond Mines |
Pueblo of Sandia | ARP North Aggregate Mine | |
Waycor Materials, Inc. | ARP North Aggregate Mine | |
2006 | GCC Rio Grande, Inc. | Tijeras Mine and Mill |
Samcon, Inc. | Sugarite Gob Reclamation – Phase V | |
2005 | Molycorp, Inc. | Questa Mine, Goat Hill North Rockpile Mitigation |
St. Cloud Mining Company | Lake Valley Mine Safeguard Project Phase I | |
2004 | No awards were presented. Presentations were made on the AML Cerrillos South project and the award-winning reclamation of the San Juan Coal Cottonwood Pit. | |
2003 | Yampa Mining Company | De-Na-Zin Mine |
2002 | St. Cloud Mining Company | Orogrande Mine Safeguard Project |
2001 | San Juan Coal Company | La Plata Mine |
Vulcan Materials | Bernalillo and State Lands Project | |
2000 | Phelps Dodge Mining Company | Pinos Altos Mine |
Smith Construction Company | Abandoned mines near Abermarle and Bland | |
St. Cloud Mining Company | San Pedro Mine | |
1999 | St. Cloud Mining Company | Carthage Abandoned Mine Project |
Salt River Project | Fence Lake No. 1 Surface Coal Mine | |
1998 | Carbon Coal Company | Mentmore and Carbon II Mines |
Cyprus Amax Minerals | El Molino Operations Unit, Terrero Mine | |
LAC Minerals (USA) Inc. | Cunningham Hill Mine | |
1997 | Homestake Mining Company of California | Grants Mill Site, Soil Removal Area |
San Juan Coal Company | San Juan Mine | |
The Lordsburg Mining Company | Westar Leaching Facility | |
Union Oil – Molycorp Questa Division | Questa Mine and Tailings Facility | |
1996 | Atlantic Richfield Company and Homestake Mining Company of California |
F-33 Underground Mine |
LAC Minerals (USA) Inc., and Pegasus Gold Corporation |
Cunningham Hill Mine | |
Phelps Dodge Mining Company and ASARCO Incorporated | Black Hawk Tailings Facility | |
Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mine Company | McKinley Mine |