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.
Today’s mining industry is strongly focused on working every day to improve environmental and safety performance. That’s why First Mode, which develops decarbonization products for heavy industry, became a participant of ICMM’s Innovation for Cleaner, Safer Vehicles (ICSV) initiative. The ICSV initiative... Read More
NewRange Copper Nickel, which controls one of the world’s largest undeveloped deposits of copper and nickel, recently announced a forward-looking study encompassing four key areas of its NorthMet project to explore opportunities to enhance environmental safeguards and mining performance. The four key... Read More
Water is a precious resource, necessary for many applications and scarce in numerous parts of the world, including locations for mining projects. That’s why mining projects like A1 Lithium’s proposed lithium extraction project in southern Utah are finding ways to use less water while still producing... Read More
In January, Arch Resources announced that its Leer Mine achieved Level A verification for all protocols comprising the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative. This is a major achievement as Leer is the first US mine of any type to achieve and verify this performance level. The TSM standard is a... Read More
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Newmont, the world’s leading gold company and a producer of copper, silver, zinc and lead, was recently recognized by three different organizations for strong management performance and social responsibility, coordinated action on climate related issues, and advancing women in the workplace. “Continuing... Read More
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
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
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
Publication: The Farmington Daily Times
Publication: Harrisburg Patriot News
Publication: The Foster's Daily Democrat
Contura Energy knows that continuous improvement is an important part of reclamation. As a leading U.S. coal supplier, Contura takes its responsibility to land reclamation and sustainability seriously. Seeking innovative methods to restore and enhance mined lands is part of their commitment to the communities... Read More
Publication: RealClear Energy
Publication: Los Angeles Times
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
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) recognized Peabody, and three of its mines, as well as Trapper Mining Inc., as the winners of the Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards for their outstanding environmental performance, mine reclamation accomplishments and... Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Mining Association (NMA), the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), will gather this week to honor outstanding... Read More
Earlier this month, Newmont Mining Corp. announced a partnership with the Project WET Foundation to build awareness and advance responsible water use through community-based teacher training in Peru and Suriname, where Newmont has mining operations. Since 1984, the Project WET ("Water Education for... Read More
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
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 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
Cloud Peak Energy’s Spring Creek Mine, located near Decker, Mont, has received the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) 2017 Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Award for enhanced reclamation success through the diversity of topography, soil and vegetation. The award... Read More
Barrick recognizes that water is a shared, vital and, in many places, scarce resource. It’s why the company strives to use only what it needs and reduce its impact on other water users in the communities in which Barrick operates. As the company mines in increasingly remote areas with wide variations... Read More
In the spirit of responsible mining and a strong commitment to environmental conservation, Kinross Gold partnered with Trout Unlimited and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to announce an agreement to protect and conserve important fish and wildlife habitat adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. As... Read More
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 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
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
In August 2016, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved Kinross Gold’s 3,097-acre expansion of its Bald Mountain mine in Nevada. This approval is another example of Kinross’ commitment to environmental stewardship. The expansion plan incorporates new ways to protect wildlife, including mule... Read More
Newmont Mining Corporation recently announced an agreement with the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service on a sagebrush ecosystem conservation program that will guide management of more... Read More
In addition to the distinction of being in the oldest independent coal company in the United States, Westmoreland Coal Company is also a leader in mine reclamation and environmental stewardship. Westmoreland Coal Company and Westmoreland Resource Partners recently announced that their Daron-Consol... Read More
Department of the Interior Annual Environment, Reclamation Awards Pay Tribute to Seven U.S. Coal, Mineral Mines LAS VEGAS – Four U.S. coal mines and three mineral mines today won annual awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior for their outstanding environmental performance, mine reclamation... Read More
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
Department of the Interior Annual Environment, Reclamation Awards for Eight U.S. Coal, Mineral Mines Las Vegas, Nev.– American coal and mineral mines today won awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) for the mines’ outstanding contributions to the environment, mine reclamation and... Read More
Department of the Interior Annual Environment, Reclamation Awards Pay Tribute to Eight U.S. Coal, Mineral Mines in 2011 Washington, D.C. – Five U.S. coal mines, three mineral mines and one state association today won annual awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior for their outstanding... Read More
