Alpha Natural Resources Announces Reclamation Milestones

ABINGDON, Va., April 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ANR), a leading U.S. coal producer, today announced that four of its affiliates have been recognized for their reclamation efforts.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100414/CG86037)

Blake Hall, head of Alpha's Virginia/Kentucky business unit, congratulated the management and work force at each of the affiliates that received recognition.  "The miners, support personnel and management at the mines deserve to be recognized for their careful stewardship of the environment.  Receiving these very prestigious awards demonstrates that mining interests and environmental protection can complement each other," Hall said.

Kentucky Reclamation Award

The Big Branch South surface mine located in Knott County, Kentucky is the 2010 recipient of the National Reclamation Award in the coal category, presented by the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC).

The mine is operated by Enterprise Mining Company, LLC, an affiliate of Alpha Natural Resources.  The National Mine Reclamation Award recognizes demonstrated excellence in reclamation based on achievement in five categories: compliance; contemporaneous reclamation; drainage control; bond release; and innovativeness.

In honoring the Big Branch South mine, Gregory E. Conrad, executive director of IMCC, said, "This award reflects your company's dedication to the maintenance of environmental protection through efficient mining and reclamation practices. I congratulate you for your diligent efforts."

Active mining and subsequent reclamation at the Big Branch South surface mine concluded in the summer of 2009.  On average, Big Branch South employed from 130 to 150 people and produced approximately 100,000 tons of coal monthly.

Prior to mining, the landscape was mainly an un-travelable ridge line of mixed un-managed forest land with previous disturbances from logging, gas wells and mining.  The majority of landowners wanted the post-mining land use to be pastureland due to the mine's proximity to the Carr Fork Lake recreational areas.  The final contour of the reclaimed land is gently rolling mountains, which is ideal for grass and hay production.  The softly-sloped mountains facilitate cattle grazing and wildlife preservation.

Virginia Reclamation Awards

Alpha affiliates received three reclamation awards at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Members & Awards Banquet of the Virginia Mining Association.  Awards were presented by Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia's Attorney General, who also was the keynote speaker at the event.  Recognized as the "Best Active Deep Mine" was the Cherokee Deep Mine, which is just north of Haysi in Dickenson County and is operated by Dickenson-Russell Coal Company, LLC.  The underground mine produces approximately 300,000 tons of coal annually.  The mine has reclaimed approximately 13 percent of the 26 acres that were disturbed during mining.

The "5 Year Legacy Award" was presented to Paramont Coal Company Virginia, LLC for the Black Bear #1 surface mine, located in the Wilder section of Russell County, Virginia.  A past winner of the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Award, the seedlings planted on this site's non-compacted soils continue to flourish.  The "10 Year Legacy Award" was earned by Paramont Coal Company Virginia, LLC for a reclaimed mine near Clintwood, in Dickenson County, Virginia, that has been restored to hay and pasture usage and is now a working farm.

About the IMCC

The Interstate Mining Compact Commission is a multi-state governmental organization representing the natural resource and environmental protection interests of its 24-member states in Washington, D.C.  Its website is www.imcc.isa.us.

About the Virginia Mining Association

The Virginia Mining Association, Inc. is a non-profit trade association representing Virginia's coal mining companies and the vendors and suppliers who support the industry.  Its website is http://virginiaminingassoc.com/

About Alpha Natural Resources

Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. is one of America's premier coal suppliers with affiliate coal production capacity of more than 90 million tons a year.  Alpha is the nation's leading supplier and exporter of metallurgical coal used in the steel-making process and is a major supplier of thermal coal to electric utilities and manufacturing industries across the country.  Alpha affiliates employ approximately 6,400 people and operate more than 60 mines and 14 coal preparation facilities in the regions of Northern and Central Appalachia and the Powder River Basin.  More information about Alpha can be found at www.alphanr.com.

SOURCE Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.