AWARD WINNERS IN THE FIELD OF MINERAL RESOURCES HONORED AT SEVENTH ANNUAL APPLIED RESEARCH CONFERENCE

COLUMBUS, OH –  Professionals in oil and gas production, industrial minerals mining, abandoned mine land reclamation and resource education were recently honored for their outstanding achievements during the Seventh Annual Applied Research Conference in Athens, and sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

“The land-restoration techniques practiced by these award winners represent innovative approaches that serve as examples to others seeking to assist in the recovery of Ohio’s natural resources,” said John Husted, chief of the ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management.

MFC Drilling, Inc., of Coshocton received the Oilfield Operations Award for performing beyond the requirements of construction for drilling of wells in coal bearing areas. The placement of 60 feet to 150 feet of conductor pipe, and cementing through coal and drift areas, prevents the contamination of underground drinking water from mine water and helps protect the surface casing that runs through fresh water zones.

The Olen Corporation earned the Industrial Minerals Mining Reclamation Award for accomplishing and maintaining high quality reclamation at the Fredericktown Plant in Knox County. Through their efforts, a diversity of vegetation was planted along shorelines to prevent erosion, a training and conference center was constructed and aggregate materials were used in the construction of a school building, playground and a local church.

ATC Associates Inc. of Indianapolis, The DJ Group, Inc of Beverly and the Moxahala Watershed Restoration Commission of Crooksville, shared the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Award for the Misco West Gob Pile Reclamation Project. They were recognized for their work in reclaiming a burning coal refuse pile in Perry County. The $1.3 million project addressed acid mine drainage problems through the installation of a bentonite slurry wall between a three-acre impoundment and the coal refuse to cut off the groundwater infiltrating the refuse pile. The work has substantially reduced the amount of mine drainage discharged into Bennett Run, a tributary in the Black Water subwatershed.

Stoneco, Inc. received the Minerals Education Public Outreach Award for their contribution to the surrounding community by hosting biennial open houses and school tours at their Celina Quarry in Findlay. These open houses educate the public and raise awareness concerning the use of minerals and the issues associated with mining and the environment.

Cravat Coal Company of Cadiz received the Coal Mining Reclamation Award and the Excellence in Reforestation Award for reclamation that included unique reforestation of the Jockey Hollow East Mine in Harrison County. The site is the first in Ohio to be reclaimed using the Forestry Reclamation Approach.

Also awarded for their commitment to the reforestation initiative was Oxford Coal Company, Inc. of Coshocton for reclamation operations at their Belmont County mine. Sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, the award recognizes mine operators who have implemented the latest technology to improve reforestation and reclamation practices on mine sites in the Appalachian region.

The Applied Research Conference is an annual forum sponsored by the ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management that focuses on the newest scientific information in mineral resources extraction and reclamation. The goal of the conference is to find ways that improve the restoration of land productivity and water quality in areas that have been impacted by mining and drilling operations.

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