Peabody Energy has completed Mongolia“s first
coal mine restoration project at the former Ereen Mine near the city of Bulgan
in northern Mongolia. The project restores
a 16-hectare area to hardy pastureland with native forage species, and develops
a new community well and a surface pond for livestock.
“Peabody is proud to work with the Mongolian people to create a model
for best practices in mining and land restoration that leaves a valuable
legacy,” said Peabody Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gregory H. Boyce. “We have 126 years of mining
expertise and a long record of world-class practices in safety, productivity
and land restoration. We continue to extend our hand of friendship to help the
Mongolian people unlock the energy and economic benefits of their vast coal
reserves in a way that preserves their rich environmental and cultural
heritage.”
Project completion was commemorated by Peabody and area officials including
the Governor of the local Saihan suom, officials from the Bulgan aimag, and the
Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy.
It was designed in consultation with the Mongolian government and developed
by an international team, which included Peabody environmental scientists and
engineers, Mongolian engineers from Peabody”s Mongolian joint venture, the
Mongolian Agricultural University and Dr. D. Tumenjargal
of the Mongolian Forage Seed Producers Association. Restoration
activities were carried out by a local Mongolian workforce.
The project has great importance to the Mongolian people, according to
Mongolian Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy Representative B. Altsukh:
“Bulgan aimag was always famous as a pioneer. We had the first
Mongolian Olympic medalist from Bulgan, and now we have the first Mongolian
coal mine reclamation. This project is the benchmark for responsible mining.
It means a lot to us as Mongolians.”
Peabody has a representative office in Ulaanbaatar and is working with the
government to pursue development opportunities for the Tavan Tolgoi reserve.
A key principle of Peabody”s mission is to return mined lands to a condition
that is equal to or better than before mining occurred. During the past
three years, the company has restored thousands of acres of lands, planted 1
million trees and earned more than two dozen global honors for environmental
excellence. Peabody”s global operations are a powerful economic force,
creating more than $15 billion in direct and
implied economic benefits in 2009.
Peabody Energy is the world”s largest private-sector coal company and a
global leader in clean coal solutions.
