The first award was the best post-mining land use award, bestowed to Paramount for its reclamation efforts at the Hawk's Nest surface mine near Prater.

The affiliate reclaimed almost 1000 acres at the Buchanan County property for beneficial land uses, with homes and businesses now residing on the land.

The best active surface mine award was given to the division to recognize work at its Red Onion surface mining operation, located on about 950 acres near Pound.

Red Onion is mining an area previously mined by both surface and underground methods and the permit eliminated several hundred feet of abandoned highwalls.

Alpha said multiple post-mining land uses were planned, including farmland, commercial development and fish and wildlife habitats.

“We care about the environment and are committed to doing what is right at all of our mining operations,” southern operations senior vice president Eddie Bateman said.

“We pride ourselves on demonstrating how the land can bring opportunities to the region after our mining work is completed.”

Both awards were given to Paramount on March 23.

In addition to Virginia, Alpha also has operations in West Virginia, Wyoming, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.