The inspector named the 230-worker mine the Surface Coal Safe Operator of the Year for the period between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.

During that time, staff logged more than 400,000 work hours without a single reportable incident.

The operation also received the Safety and Health Innovator award as well as the Rescue Response honor from the state of New Mexico.

All of the awards were presented recently by the inspector and the New Mexico Mining Association.

Peabody executive vice-president and chief operating officer Eric Ford said the mine’s crew had set a commendable standard.

"The health and safety of our employees guides us in all we do, and the team at El Segundo is living our safety vision of zero incidents of any kind," he said.

The state’s Rescue Response award is given to individuals and groups for the demonstration of excellent first aid, first responder or rescue skills in an emergency.

Five El Segundo emergency response team members were recognized for responding to revive a female contract archeologist who was struck by lightning on mine property last July.

The Safety and Health Innovator honor was given to the mine for its design of a communication program developed to reinforce safety best practices and safety alerts via signage in high-traffic areas.

El Segundo (The Second) was opened in northwest New Mexico in 2008 next to its sister operation Lee Ranch. It shipped 5.1 million tons of coal last year.

According to Peabody, the mine is ramping up to 6Mt of medium sulfur product annually to serve a 19-year contract.