The award recognises the efforts of the Arch Coal subsidiary’s Maryland-based operation for its exemplary performance among mines in seven states.

It is not the first time Vindex has been lauded for its green efforts either.

It picked up the Maryland state excellence in reforestation award in 2007, 2008 and 2012, as well as the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s 2013 reclamation award and the Maryland Land Reclamation Committee’s 2009, 2011 and 2012 reclamation awards for outstanding mine reclamation accomplishments.

The ARRI coalition was formed in 2004 and is supported by the US Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining.

The Maryland Department of the Environment adopted the forestry reclamation approach in 2005.

The approach expedites the establishment of forest habitat and encourages planting high-value hardwood trees.