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Peabody Coal Company has earned an Indiana Excellence in Mining and Reclamation Award for exemplary restoration of nearly 4,500 acres of fish and wildlife habitat, native grassland, prime farmland and forest in Warrick County.

A unique aspect of the reclaimed habitat, which the award commended, are efforts to establish more than 400 acres of warm-season native grasslands that provide excellent habitat for birds and other wildlife while creating one of the largest prairie grass sites in the state. Six native grasses provide a more diverse habitat, increase ground cover, produce hay crops and enhance the aesthetic value of the area. At the same time, more than 30 ponds were developed to provide habitat for fish, waterfowl and small amphibians. The honors relate to the Squaw Creek Mine operated from 1965 through 1997 as a joint venture between Peabody and Alcoa.

"Using innovative reclamation techniques enables us to create improved wildlife habitat and productive range to provide a valuable resource for generations," said Peabody Vice President of Resource Development and Conservancy Kenneth E. Allen. "We're proud to be recognized among our peers for a standard of reclamation that ensures continuous environmental improvement."

The company's commitment to reclamation excellence is driven by Peabody's mission statement, which says that when the mining is complete, we will leave the land in a condition equal to or better than we found it. Peabody operations and affiliates have earned 23 national, state and professional reclamation awards in the past three years. The honors include recognition for developing prime farmland in Indiana and Illinois, creating exemplary reforestation in Western Kentucky and protecting cultural and historic resources in Arizona, in addition to numerous other innovative programs.

Peabody Energy is the world's largest private-sector coal company, with 2001 sales of 194 million tons of coal and $2.6 billion in revenues. Its coal products fuel more than 9 percent of all U.S. electricity generation and more than 2 percent of worldwide electricity generation.

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SOURCE: Peabody Energy