ST. LOUIS, Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
Mongolia's Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism has honored
Peabody Energy's Senior Manager of International Reclamation Vern
Pfannenstiel as a 'Distinguished Environmentalist' for his leadership to
establish best scientific practices in land restoration to protect
Mongolia's environment.
The award is a credit to Pfannenstiel's work directing Mongolia's first
coal mine restoration project near the community of Bulgan, which
included collaboration with joint venture partner Peabody-Winsway, based
in Ulaanbaatar. The Ereen Mine restoration project was designed in
consultation with the Mongolian government, the Mongolian Agricultural
University and the Mongolian Forage Seed Producers Association. Many of
the principles applied were pioneered at Peabody operations on
indigenous lands in the United States where there are similar
environmental conditions and cultural needs.
"Peabody is a global leader advancing world-class mining and restoration
practices founded on key principles of excellence in safety,
operations, and environmental and social responsibility," said Peabody
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gregory Boyce. "We are proud of
Vern's leadership in establishing practices that will create a lasting
legacy for the Mongolian people."
Project team members included 60 U.S. and Mongolian environmental
scientists, engineers and technicians who restored an 18 hectare area to
hardy, productive rangeland. Notably, a local workforce was recruited
and trained to accomplish the job, completing more than 60,000 project
hours without a safety incident.
The Ereen project also developed a new water source for livestock and a
fresh drinking water source for area residents who previously had no
nearby access to potable water, demonstrating the importance of
sustainable practice.
One year following project completion, the former Ereen mine site is a
productive pasture that ultimately will be used for traditional
livestock grazing or hay production. Seeding results exceeded the
accepted criteria for excellent plant establishment, and the forage in
the seeded areas is more than four times that of the adjacent native
lands.
Peabody Energy is the world's largest private-sector coal company and a
global leader in clean coal solutions. With 2010 sales of 246 million
tons and nearly $7 billion in revenues, Peabody fuels 10 percent of U.S.
power and 2 percent of worldwide electricity.
Editor's Note: Images may be downloaded at PeabodyEnergy.com.
CONTACT:Beth Sutton(928) 699-8243
SOURCE Peabody Energy
Copyright (C) 2011 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
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