Press Releases

Peabody Energy's Miller Creek Mine in Indiana has earned the 2008 U.S. Department of the Interior's National Award of Excellence in Surface Mining for innovative techniques to restore prime farmland and wildlife habitat at its Sugar Ridge Pit in South Central Indiana. The award was presented at the Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Awards ceremony in Las Vegas.

Miller Creek's 140 employees were honored for reclaiming nearly 1,100 acres of highly productive farmland, using best practices in soil replacement and handling techniques that overcomply with regulatory requirements. Reclaimed farmland at Miller Creek's Sugar Ridge Pit has produced corn, soybean, wheat and alfalfa yields that have equaled or surpassed pre-mining harvests.

"This recognition reinforces our commitment to stewardship and sustainability through best practices at our operations," said Peabody Energy Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Eric Ford. "We are proud of our world-class environmental and reclamation team, which is consistently recognized for achieving the highest and most enduring benefits from our mining and reclaiming activities."

Peabody operations earned more than a dozen state and national awards for stewardship and sustainability in 2007. The company reclaimed more than 7,900 acres, planted more than 525,000 trees and recycled nearly 14,000 tons of metals, petroleum products and other materials in 2007. Peabody has a 125-year legacy of innovation, creating environmental solutions that return lands to a condition that is equal to or better than before mining occurred.

An expert panel from U.S. Interior's Office of Surface Mining annually selects mining operations from around the nation for sustainable programs to reclaim mined lands and demonstrate community involvement and social responsibility.

Peabody Energy is the world's largest private-sector coal company, with 2007 sales of 238 million tons and $4.6 billion in revenues. Its coal products fuel approximately 10 percent of all U.S. electricity generation and 2 percent of worldwide electricity.

Editor's note: Images depicting the project can be downloaded at PeabodyEnergy.com.

Use of the words "Peabody," "the company" and "our" relate to Peabody, our subsidiaries and our majority-owned affiliates.

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SOURCE: Peabody Energy