The Black Diamond Co. earned an award for the Best Public Interest project in Virginia. The permit for the project involved 392 acres in Buchanan County, Virginia, and included the removal of the former Grundy Municipal Airport and the construction of durable rock fills, site regrading and preparation to leave the rough grade runway development for the new Breaks Regional Airport.
Outstanding achievements in the Virginia coal industry were recognized Thursday, October 30, 2025, during the annual Metallurgical Coal Producers Association (MCPA) and Virginia Energy awards banquet. The event was held at the Russell County Conference Center in Lebanon, Va., and recognized the best in the industry in mining, reclamation and safety.
“We enjoy taking this opportunity every year to recognize the best of the best companies who are engaged daily in mining metallurgical coal in Virginia,” said MCPA Board Chairman J.P. Richardson. Awards were presented as follows:
Best Active Underground Mine: Buchanan Mine No. 1
Buchanan Minerals LLC’s Buchanan Mine No. 1, located at Keen Mountain, Va., was recognized as the Best Active Underground Mine. Established in 1983, the Buchanan mine specializes in room-and-pillar development and longwall extraction within the Pocahontas No. 3 seam. The mine consistently produces 4.3 million tons per year (tpy) of premium clean coal and, with the imminent addition of a second production skip, Buchanan is poised to elevate its production capacity to 5 million tpy, further solidifying its position as an industry leader.
Best Reclaimed Underground Mine: StoneCoal Mine
Paramont Contura’s Deep Mine (StoneCoal), located four miles southeast of Dante on Stone Coal Creek, where operations mined the Aily seam, was named the Best Reclaimed Underground Mine. The permit was originally issued on September 6, 2006, covering 8.18 acres. From initial mining through final reclamation, it was noted the site exemplified outstanding operational stewardship, compliance and environmental responsibility.
Reclamation was completed promptly and in accordance with all regulatory requirements, with the site exhibiting a healthy, self-sustaining vegetative cover reflective of careful planning and execution. The haul road remains in excellent condition, serving as access for current gas well operations, as well as for public access to Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources land.
Best Active Surface Mine: Big Creek Surface Mine
Ramaco Resources Land Holdings LLC, which operates the Big Creek Surface Mine, an active surface coal mining site located in Tazewell County, Virginia, was named the winner of the Best Active Surface Mine. The operation began in July 2020 and encompasses approximately 481 acres targeting coal recovery from the Jawbone and Tiller seams. Mining methods approved for the site include surface-contour mining, auger/highwall mining and underground mining. Currently, the operation is conducting surface mining activities.
The site includes the construction and quarterly certification of four engineered fills, designed in accordance with regulatory standards for mined land reclamation. Of these, one fill has successfully received final construction certification, indicating it has met all necessary engineering criteria.
Best Reclaimed Surface Mine: Greater Wise No. 1
Red River Coal Co.’s Greater Wise No. 1 Surface Mine has been transformed into a thriving landscape blending natural and agricultural value, and was named the 2025 Best Reclaimed Surface Mine site. The unmanaged forest on the permit provides wildlife habitat for elk, deer and other wildlife native to the area, along with soil stabilization. Planted tree and shrub species include eastern white pine, apple, pear, Chinese chestnut, red mulberry and a mix of native hardwoods. The nearby hay land and pasture area has provided open grazing for cattle for several years. Together, the mix of young forest and pasture creates a patchwork of habitats supporting biodiversity, encouraging pollinators and restoring ecological balance.
Best Active Preparation Plant: Toms Creek Preparation Plant
The Toms Creek Preparation Plant, operated by Paramont Contura, LLC, was recognized for its commitment to operational excellence and environmental stewardship in coal processing, and was named the Best Active Preparation Plant.
Located two miles north of Coeburn, Va., the 502-acre facility has a long history of coal processing dating back to the plant’s construction in 1979. It was noted the facility exemplifies industry leadership through its consistent operation, incorporating a well-maintained preparation plant, coarse refuse disposal and slurry impoundment, ensuring efficient and responsible coal processing.
It was also noted the Toms Creek prep plant upholds exceptional standards, environmental compliance and operational integrity, maintaining an exemplary drainage system, consistently meeting NPDES parameters. To mitigate environmental impact, all coal haulage roads are paved, equipped with sprinkler systems and supported by a water truck with sprayers to suppress dust and prevent tracking onto Route 652. Additionally, sprinklers on clean coal stockpiles further enhance dust control.
Best Impoundment: Jamison Creek Impoundment
The Jamison Creek Impoundment, operated by Ramaco Resources, has been in continuous use since its establishment in 1983 and was named the Best Impoundment. This engineered structure receives coarse refuse and slurry generated by the adjacent Ramaco coal preparation plant. To ensure ongoing safety and structural integrity, the company
contracts routine inspections every seven days, in accordance with regulatory requirements.
The company consistently maintains a coarse refuse compaction rate of 95% or higher, reflecting a strong commitment to best practices in impoundment management. Sediment control is achieved through a system of three ponds strategically located downstream of the underdrain system, designed to manage runoff and maintain water quality.
In 2025, Ramaco undertook a proactive maintenance initiative to clear dense brush from the perimeter of the sediment ponds. This work improved visibility and enhanced safe access for sediment removal activities. Following the clearing, accumulated sediment was systematically removed to prevent the ponds from nearing regulatory cleanout thresholds and to maintain their full functional capacity.
Best Public Interest: Buchanan County Airport Project
The Black Diamond Co.’s Surface Mine Permit — which encompasses 392 acres, authorizing the extraction of coal from the Eagle Nos. 1, 2 and 3 seams, as well as the Blair 1, 4 and 5 seams — was named the Best Public Interest project.
This strategic mining operation necessitated the removal of the former Grundy Municipal Airport, paving the way for the development of the state-of-the-art Breaks Regional Airport, which will be managed by the Breaks Regional Airport Authority. To accommodate the extended runway specifications essential for modern aviation, the company engineered and constructed Durable Rock Fills Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Through meticulous site regrading and preparation, it was noted Black Diamond has positioned the location for seamless transition into a premier airport facility.
Best Reclaimed Vent Shaft Sites: Buchanan Mine No. 1
Buchanan Minerals LLC’s Buchanan Mine No. 1 mine began final reclamation of ventilation shafts and sites that are no longer needed for ventilation of the mine, which was first permitted in 1983. Buchanan Minerals LLC was recognized and awarded for the Best Reclaimed Ventilation Shafts.
During 2024, the company completed reclamation of both Ventilation Shaft Nos. 2 and 3. It was noted the company has done a great job of sealing the shafts and completing backfill and regrade of the sites. The mine continues to excel in best management practices toward protecting the environment while achieving production goals.
Best Reclaimed Fill: Dixiana Permit Fill No. 1
Red River Coal Co.’s Fill No. 1 was named the Best Reclaimed Fill. It was noted that the company demonstrates how proper restoration practices can return mined land to a stable and beneficial condition.
Fill No. 1 consists of 63 acres of previously mined land graded to blend with the natural landscape, designed to properly drain to prevent erosion and covered with quality topsoil capable of supporting vegetation, helping control runoff, improving water quality and providing wildlife habitat. It was noted the site is not only safe and stable, but also useful for agriculture and grazing of wildlife native to the area.
Best Active Fill: The Black Diamond Co. – Fill No. 1
The Black Diamond Co.’s Hackney Creek Refuse Facility, located at the head of Hackney Creek, a tributary of the Levisa River, was named the Best Active Fill. The facility is the disposal site for the refuse from the Wellmore No. 8 prep plant. Historically, both coarse and fine refuse have been placed in this fill.
Since the fill was started, it has risen 650 feet in elevation to the ridgetop. The ultimate design for this facility is to raise it another 150 feet with coarse refuse. The face of the fill is currently well vegetated with tree cover to the active area of the fill.
Source: www.coalage.com
