Developing Resources Responsibly

Natural resources are at the heart of mining, therefore good environmental stewardship is an industry imperative and a core requirement. Mining and its employees are at the center of our communities, underscoring our commitment to being good neighbors wherever we operate.

Twenty first century mining projects begin with extensive environmental and engineering studies, public involvement in major decision-making, and compliance with scores of state and federal laws and regulations governing every facet of the environment, from wildlife habitat protection to water quality monitoring.

Projects end with land reclamation that often includes making reclaimed mining sites useful to the community for developed recreation, wildlife enhancement and other local community needs.

Today’s mining is committed to continuing the extraordinary environmental progress that we have made in recent decades, with technological advancements that minimize mining’s impact on the environment.

U.S. mining is dedicated to upholding U.S. environmental standards while providing the critical resources that fuel the economy, foster innovation, build infrastructure, promote job creation and secure the nation’s energy future.

Member Feature Story

Recognition in Conservation

The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) annually recognizes achievements in corporate conservation across various industry sectors. The 2023 Corporate Conservation Leadership Award was awarded to Freeport-McMoRan. This top award honors one company’s overall achievement in conservation efforts and reflects... Read More

Developing Resources Responsibly

A Climate Leader

Being a leader means pushing ahead through difficult challenges. The “USA Today Climate Leader” list is data-driven and recognizes companies’ efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. This year Caterpillar was named one of America’s Climate Leaders for 2023. “Caterpillar has a long-standing commitment... Read More

Legacy Mine Cleanup

Reclamation is important work, which is why Perpetua Resources has teamed up with Iron Woman for legacy mine cleanup. Iron Woman Construction and Environmental Services is a Native American-owned company that works on civil and environmental projects. Together, they will move over 300,000 tons of legacy... Read More

Funding Reclamation

Reclamation is a cornerstone of the mining process, restoring the lands used by mining and bringing them back to an equal or improved state once mining is complete.  But reclamation requires funding, and organizations like the Appalachian Region Independent Power Producers Association (ARIPPA) help to... Read More

Leading the Way to a Sustainable Future

Sustainability is a crucial pillar of mining, from the producers to the equipment manufacturers. That’s why companies like Draslovka are investing in green technologies. Currently the world’s largest supplier of sodium cyanide to the gold mining industry, Draslovka is also investing in its patented Glycine... Read More

Zero-Emissions Fuel for the Future

The First Movers Coalition is a global coalition of companies committed to creating early markets for clean technologies. Commitments for the first four sectors (aviation, shipping, steel and trucking) were launched in late 2021. Companies agree to use their purchasing power to support clean technologies... Read More

Wildlife Habitat Council Awards

The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) recently recognized Freeport-McMoRan at its annual Conservation Conference with top awards for five projects that protect a range of animals, including everything from bats to bighorn sheep. The winning Freeport projects were all in Arizona, with Sierrita and Morenci... Read More

Reclamationist of the Year

Reclamation, the process of returning mined land to the same or an improved state than it was prior to mining, is an important part of the mining process, which is why the American Society of Reclamations Sciences (ASRS) recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the field of reclamation. In 2022, Usibelli... Read More

Emissions Reduction in Mines

Newmont ended 2021 with an ambitious pledge: a 32 percent reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030, and 30 percent reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030. The company has closed the industry’s first sustainability-linked bond in relation to the commitment, raising proceeds of $992 million.... Read More

Poker Flats Restoration in Alaska

In September 2021, Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources determined that Usibelli Coal Mine kept its promise of 40 years: the Poker Flats area near Healy, Alaska, has been successfully restored. “In successfully achieving Phase III bond release, Usibelli has demonstrated the fundamental strength... Read More

Reclamation in Alaska

In April 2021, Kinross Alaska announced a partnership with Trout Unlimited on the Alaska Abandoned Mine Restoration Initiative, which is the first partnership of its kind in Alaska. Kinross, a major mining company, and the Trout Unlimited conservation organization are working alongside federal and state... Read More

The Future for Copper

Florence Copper is working to be the “greenest copper mine in the world,” and it is hoping to start construction of commercial facilities this year. The project will be a large-scale commercial copper mining facility in Arizona. But Florence Copper isn’t waiting for final permits to consider the mine’s... Read More

A Partnership to Improve the Upper Blackfoot River

Some projects are improved by collaboration. That’s why Bayer, J.R. Simplot and Nutrien teamed up with two conservation groups to create the Upper Blackfoot Confluence (UBC), a partnership dedicated to improving the streams and trout fishery of the Upper Blackfoot River watershed.  This area contains... Read More

Lithium Americas, Lithium Powers the Future

Electric vehicles (EVs) will be a huge part of the world’s efforts to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. EVs produce zero direct emissions, and they also produce fewer life cycle emissions than conventional vehicles because most emissions are lower for electricity generation than burning... Read More

Freeport-McMoRan and Rio Tinto, The Copper Mark

Sustainability has a pivotal role to play in mining, as demonstrated by The Copper Mark, the first and only assurance framework of the copper industry which demonstrates responsible production practices and industry contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of sustainable production... Read More

McLanahan Corporation: Reusable Water in Mining

Water is essential to mining operations, and it’s imperative that water usage be as sustainable as possible. Mining uses water in mineral processing, dust suppression and slurry transport, among other needs. Removing suspended solids from water is generally considered one of the minimum requirements... Read More

American Voters Want to Prioritize Pro-Mining Policies

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the president prepares to deliver his third State of the Union address, U.S. voters want to see government action on a number of issues key to the mining industry – from reducing the nation’s alarming mineral import reliance by encouraging domestic mining to leading in developing... Read More

Contura Energy: Exemplary Work in Reclamation

The Earth is a critically important resource, and it is up to us to respect and care for it. That’s why the mining industry takes such pride in its reclamation efforts. After mining has finished, mining companies restore the land to wildlife areas and wetlands, recreation areas and farms. 88 Strip... Read More

LinkedIn Blog: Caring for our Planet Through Reclamation

Environmental stewardship is at the very heart of modern mining. Today’s mining projects begin with extensive environmental studies and end with land that is improved for a variety of uses, depending on the location and community needs. But what do we mean by reclamation, anyway? Reclamation is the... Read More

Newmont and IUCN Form Partnership on Biodiversity Conservation

Newmont Mining Corporation is doubling down on its commitment to sustainability by partnering with an international organization focused on nature conservation and the sustainable use of resources. Recently, Newmont announced a three-year collaborative agreement with the International Union for Conservation... Read More

Peabody's Wild Boar Mine Honored with National Reclamation Award

Peabody's Wild Boar Mine recently received the 2018 National Reclamation Award for reclamation work on the Barren Fork Pit near Lynnville, Ind. Awarded by the Interstate Mining Compact Commission in the coal category, the award recognizes the company's “dedication to the maintenance of environmental... Read More

Newmont Mining: Ensuring Reliable and Healthy Watersheds

Water impacts economic development, business growth and social well-being in many regions of the world. For Newmont, water is a critical resource to its business and the environments in which the company operates. Newmont has developed a Global Water Strategy (GWS) that supports water stewardship and... Read More

Peabody: Honored for Excellence in Responsible Mining

Peabody recently was recognized by London-based Capital Finance International as the most responsible global mining company in 2017, marking the second consecutive year the company has been recognized for excellence in environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards and performance. The international... Read More

Kinross Gold: A Shining Example of Caring for Our Neighbors

Mining and its employees are at the center of communities all across America, and the mining industry is committed to being good neighbors wherever operations are located. That means our mining companies are dedicated to upholding environmental standards while providing the critical resources that fuel... Read More

Newmont Goes ‘Beyond the Mine’ with Sustainability Report

Newmont Mining Corporation recently published Beyond the Mine, the company’s annual report on its efforts to create value and improve lives through sustainable and responsible mining. “Building a healthier, safer and more environmentally sound and socially responsible business is embedded in our long-term... Read More

Newmont: Recycling and Repurposing to Protect the Environment

The Colorado Mining Association (CMA) honored winners of the Environmental Stewardship and Pollution Prevention Awards on Feb. 21 at the 119th annual National Western Mining Conference and Exhibition in Denver. Conference attendees at the awards banquet gathered to celebrate the very best mining company... Read More

Land Restoration a Natural Part of the Mining Process for Peabody

Peabody, like many responsible coal producers, views land restoration as an essential part of the mining process, restoring high-value lands for rangeland, wildlife habitat, hardwood forest, prime farmland and wetlands. Over the past decade, Peabody has spent $185 million to restore approximately... Read More