Peabody Energy Completes Mongolia's First Coal Mine Restoration Project

ST. LOUIS, July 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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 (community), officials from the Bulgan aimag (province), 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.

Mongolia is strategically located to serve high-demand China and Asia markets, which are expected to represent about 90 percent of coal's demand growth in the next two decades.  

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 (NYSE: BTU) is the world's largest private-sector coal company and a global leader in clean coal solutions.  With 2009 sales of 244 million tons and $6 billion in revenues, Peabody fuels 10 percent of U.S. power and 2 percent of worldwide electricity, lighting cities on six continents. Peabody is energizing the world, one Btu at a time.

Editor's Note: Mine restoration images may be downloaded at www.PeabodyEnergy.com.

SOURCE Peabody Energy