EMNRD Deputy Secretary Todd Leahy presents the 2019 Excellence in Reclamation Award to Sherry Burt-Kested FMI Chino Mines Company Environmental Services Manager; and Tom Shelley, Freeport McMoRan Reclamation Manager, New Mexico Operations.Awards Presented at the 2019 New Mexico Mining Association Convention

SOCORRO, N.M. – The Mining and Minerals Division of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) presented the 2019 Excellence in Reclamation Awards to two projects: Navajo Transitional Energy Company and North American Coal Corporation – Bisti Fuels Company for their dedication to cultivate interest in mining, reclamation, and STEM-related careers through education, outreach, and community service to help students and residents from the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities; and Freeport McMoRan Chino Mines, Borderlands Restoration Network, Gila Watershed Partnership, and Bat Conservation International for their successful “Agave Roundup in Grant County” project that salvaged more than 750 agave plants for use in mine reclamation areas and non-mining areas for the benefit of improved bat habitat and environmental awareness.

"The awards this year are presented to projects and initiatives deserving special recognition,” said Todd Leahy, Deputy Cabinet Secretary of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department who presented the awards. “The companies operating the Navajo Mine are dedicated to building and maintaining strong relationships with the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities. And the Agave Roundup Project was an innovative effort that went above and beyond the reclamation conditions of the mine permit. We applaud their successes.”

Instituted in 1996, the Excellence in Reclamation Award recognizes excellence and innovation in coal, hard rock and aggregate mine reclamation and abandoned mine land reclamation projects, and other related efforts or initiatives deserving special recognition. The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department presents the awards at the annual New Mexico Mining Association Conference.

The award presentation and information on previous award winners are posted on MMD’s website at:http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/mmd/ExcellenceReclamation.html.