WVCA president Bill Raney said all were being honored for their "stellar" projects proving the mines' owners are "stewards of the land" in the state.
"[They] are fantastic examples of that stewardship and they are all to be commended."
Birch River's reclamation of its large surface mine and associated coal preparation and handling properties made them "greatly deserving", according to Raney.
"[It] has taken steps above and beyond what is required by state and federal regulations and they are a true steward of the environment."
Other awards were bestowed under the following classifications:
- Underground Coal Mine South Award - Colony Bay Coal Stockton Mine
- Underground Coal Mine North Award - Burn Coal
- Surface Mine South Award - Rum Creek Coal Sales Anna Branch surface mine
- Surface Mine North Award - Coal-Mac Phoenix No 1 Surface Mine
- Coal Refuse Facility South Award - Kepler Processing Company Big Branch Coarse Refuse Facility
- Coal Refuse Facility North Award - Patriot Mining Company Albright Refuse Facility
- Haul Road South Award - Aracoma Coal Ethel Hollow Haul Road
- Haul Road North Award - Wolf Run Mining Imperial Mine
- Special Recognition Award - Lexington Coal Notomine Operation
- Mitigation Awards - Fola Coal Surface Mine No 4 and Laurel Fork Surface Mine and Coal River Energy's Coal River Complex, Little Coal River
- West Virginia Woodlands Award 2007 - Fola Coal Company
- West Virginia Woodlands Award 2006 - Elk Run Coal Black Castle Mining
- Quarry Awards - Letart Corporation and Boxley Aggregates of West Virginia Mill Point Quarry
- AML North Award - Eastern Arrow Weaver Portals and Mine Drainage Project
- AML South Award - Green Mountain, Carswell Eroding Refuse Project
The WVCA's reclamation awards are given annually to companies who demonstrate excellent environmental performance through nominations by West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's Mining & Reclamation Division inspectors.
Both Massey Energy and International Coal Group responded Monday to the award news.
"It is particularly rewarding that a wide variety of initiatives were highlighted, including the design and operation of our surface mines and haul roads, our consideration for users of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System, successful mine reclamation efforts, and the planting of hundreds of acres with hardwoods," said Massey chairman Don Blankenship.
"These awards highlight our constant commitment and efforts to protect the environment and improve the quality of life in West Virginia."
ICG Ben Hatfield said the Greenlands Award was a reflection of a strong commitment by the company for environmental stewardship.
"We at ICG are committed to complying with environmental regulations at all of our operations and to reducing the effects of our activity on the surrounding area by employing the highest standards in mining and reclamation practices."
