The honour for excellence in environmental achievements in 2007 was given to the mine, operated by Arch subsidiary Mountain Coal, at the Colorado Mining Association's 100th National Western Mining Conference and Exhibition held last month in Denver.
“West Elk mine and its employees were honoured for the application of environmentally sound practices in the engineering design and construction of Sylvester Road … [a] 1.3 mile road built on private and US Forest Service property to reduce traffic through the town of Paonia," officials for the producer said.
“In addition, West Elk was recognised for operating more than eight years without a state environmental violation."
The 400-worker West Elk mine was also recognised for its participation in the state's Pollution Prevention Program, including the establishment of an employee health and safety program and plan for water resource conservation and solid waste compaction.
