Source: Department of Environmental Protection news
release
HARRISBURG (April 25) -- On behalf of Gov. Mark Schweiker, Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) Deputy Secretary for Mineral Resources
Management J. Scott Roberts today congratulated three Pennsylvania mining
companies that were selected for national awards by the Interstate Mining
Compact Commission (IMCC).
Signor Brothers of Arnot, Tioga County, is the winner of the National
Mine Reclamation Award in the Small Operator Category for its Babb Creek
Operation in Tioga County. Joy Mining Machinery of Warrendale, Allegheny
County, and Pennsy Supply Inc. of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, were honored
for public outreach.
“These companies went above and beyond their regular operation
to help restore our environment and educate Pennsylvanians about mining,
minerals and modern reclamation,” said Roberts, who is Gov. Schweiker’s
designated representative for the IMCC. “These awards recognize
the important role that mining companies should play in their host communities.”
Signor Brothers received special recognition as a small coal operator
for excellence in reclamation. The company’s mining operation removed
22,000 tons of coal refuse that had been used to build a railroad bed
along Babb Creek in the late 1800s. The coal refuse was polluting Babb
Creek with acid mine drainage. Signor Brothers designed the project
with stream bank protection methods to remove the refuse without impacting
the stream.
The project used downed trees along the stream bank to turn Babb Creek
away from the refuse removal, a move that also provided a fish habitat.
As a result of the refuse removal, one of the last major pollution sources
in the stream was eliminated. The company used only four employees to
complete the reclamation.
Joy Mining was honored with the 2002 Public Outreach Award for its efforts
to increase mining and mineral literacy for school children in the communities
where it mines. Through classroom and community presentations, the company
educates the public about the need for minerals and the environmental
stewardship that is necessary in mining. The company spoke to more then
5,000 students in 2001.
Pennsy Supply received an honorable mention for the development and
implementation of its innovative “Rockman” curriculum. The
program introduces students to mining techniques and equipment, with
special emphasis on reclamation during and after mining. Pennsy is also
a partner in DEP’s “Stay Out – Stay Alive” mine
hazard awareness campaign.
The awards were presented at an April 23 banquet in Lexington, Kentucky,
as part of the IMCC Annual Meeting.
This is the second consecutive year that Pennsylvania companies have
been honored by the IMCC. Last year, Pioneer Mid-Atlantic Inc. was recognized
for its Baggaley Quarry in Westmoreland County and ACV Power Corp. for
its Wildwood Project in Allegheny County.
The IMCC is a multi-state government organization representing the natural
resource and environmental protection interests of its 20 member states.
The annual awards program recognizes outstanding achievement in reclamation
and promotes reclamation on a national level. Winners are selected based
on compliance, contemporaneous reclamation, drainage control, post-mining
land use and innovative practices.
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