November 2, 2026 - Outstanding achievements in the Virginia coal industry were recognized Thursday, October 29 during the annual Metallurgical Coal Producers Association (MCPA) and Virginia Energy Excellence in Mining 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.

“Taking this opportunity every year to recognize the best of the best companies who are engaged daily in mining metallurgical coal in Virginia is something we enjoy,” said MCPA President Ben Beakes. “Met coal makes steel and through the efforts of these companies and their employees, the coal needed by our nation to make steel is mined. The companies honored here tonight make us proud in the way they approach mining with a focus on safety, environmental responsibility and reclamation.”

2026 Awards presented included those for Best Active Underground Mine; Best Active Surface Mine; Best Preparation Plant; Best Impoundment; Best Active Fill; Best Reclaimed Underground Mine; Best Reclaimed Surface Mine; Best Reclaimed Fill; and Best Public Interest. The awards were as follows:

Best Active Underground Mine: Buchanan Minerals LLC, Buchanan Mine #1  

Established in 1983, Buchanan Mine #1, winner of this year’s Best Active Underground Mine award, stands as a premier underground mining operation specializing in room-and-pillar development and longwall extraction within the Pocahontas #3 seam, at Keen Mountain, VA.

Buchanan miners mined 4.1 million tons of premium coal in the past year. With the addition of a second production skip, raw coal stockpile and support structures, the mine is positioned to elevate its production capacity to 5 million tons per year, further solidifying its position as an industry leader.

Best Active Underground Mine winner was Buchanan Minerals LLC, Buchanan Mine #1. Buchanan employees Jerome McGlothlin, Wayne Tolliver, Brian Richardson, Tim LaForce, Greg Smith, Bob Dills, and Paul Welch are pictured with Cody Mumpower, Congressman Morgan Griffith’s office; Barbara Altizer, MCPA; and Randy Moore, Virginia Energy.

Employing a skilled workforce of 650 professionals, the Buchanan Mine site exemplifies operational excellence, maintaining rigorous standards in safety, efficiency and environmental stewardship. Buchanan Minerals LLC remains committed to sustainable mining practices, continuously advancing best management protocols to protect natural resources while achieving ambitious production targets.

The mine’s compliance and performance are closely monitored by Inspector Lail Deel.

Best Active Surface Mine: Ramaco Resources Land Holdings LLC,

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, VA, is the winner of the Best Active Surface Mine award. The site encompasses approximately 762 acres targeting coal recovery from the Jawbone and Tiller seams and has been ongoing since July 2020. Mining methods approved for the site include surface-contour mining, auger/highwall mining and underground mining. Currently, the operation is conducting surface mining activities.

Best Active Surface Mine winner was Ramaco Resources Land Holdings LLC, Big Creek Surface Mine. Ramaco employees Jason Hess, Tony Honaker, James Pennington and Josh Blevins are pictured with Cody Mumpower, Congressman Morgan Griffith’s office; Barbara Altizer, MCPA; and Randy Moore and Jody Collins, Virginia Energy.

Ramaco Resources has demonstrated a consistent commitment to reclamation practices, aiming to minimize environmental impacts while ensuring full regulatory compliance, including the revegetation of disturbed areas and implementation of sediment control measures. Inspectors are Matthew Crouse and Daniel Young.

Best Preparation Plant: Dickenson-Russell Contura, LLC, McClure Prep Plant

Dickenson-Russell Contura, LLC operates the McClure Preparation Plant, winner of the Best Preparation Plant award. The 505.55-acre permitted facility is located approximately one mile from McClure along Caney Creek. The operation employs 74 people and processes coal from Paramont Contura, LLC's Deep Mine No. 41 in the Jawbone seam. Following processing, clean coal is transported from the facility by rail.

The McClure Preparation Plant demonstrates careful management and environmental controls through continued attention to site maintenance, water management, transportation and protection of the surrounding environment. A series of sediment ponds provide protection to Caney Creek by controlling runoff from the operation. The operator takes a proactive approach to maintaining the structures, routinely cleaning accumulated sediment to preserve capacity and effectiveness. The operator also places emphasis on maintaining its transportation areas. A paved haul road provides truck access to the facility, while regular watering helps control dust and prevents tracking from becoming an issue on surrounding roadways. 

Maintaining these standards during daily operations reflects the continued effort of employees responsible for the site. Inspector is Robert Case.

Best Impoundment: Ramaco Resources, Jamison Creek Impoundment

Ramaco’s Jamison Creek Impoundment, originally permitted in 1983, is the winner of the Best Impoundment award. The impoundment receives coarse refuse and slurry from the adjacent preparation plant. The impoundment is inspected every seven days to ensure continued safety and stability, with coarse refuse compaction consistently maintained at 95 percent or greater.

Sediment control is provided by three ponds below the underdrain system. The ponds are routinely maintained and dredged to ensure adequate sediment capacity.

Ramaco’s consistent inspection, maintenance and operational practices demonstrate a strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and responsible impoundment management. Inspector is Josh McCoy.

Best Active Fill: Dickenson-Russell Contura, LLC, McClure Prep Plant Fill

The active fill at the McClure Prep Plant demonstrates how an operating coal refuse disposal facility can successfully combine continued operations with progressive reclamation, environmental protection and long-term site stability, making it the winner of the Best Active Fill award.

The McClure facility has operated for decades in the steep terrain of Dickenson County, VA. The current permit was issued to Dickenson-Russell Contura, LLC in December 2016 as a successor to a prior permit. Continued development of the fill has required careful planning and construction because of the limited space and challenging topography characteristic of the Southwest Virginia coalfields.

As the active fill advances, completed areas are progressively graded, stabilized and revegetated, reducing the amount of disturbed ground and allowing vegetation to become established while operations continue on other portions of the site. Inspector is Robert Case.

Best Reclaimed Underground Mine: Paramont Contura, LLC, Dwale Area 

Paramont Contura's Underground Mine, located approximately one mile southeast of Dwale along the Cranes Nest River in Dickenson County, VA, is the winner of the Best Reclaimed Underground Mine award. The underground operation mined the Upper Banner seam and encompassed approximately 44.74 permitted acres. The permit was issued November 2, 2016, as a successor to the original permit. Reclamation of the mine site was completed in the fall of 2024. Since completion, the reclaimed areas have developed well-established vegetative cover, providing stabilization while allowing the site to blend naturally with the surrounding landscape. 

The completed reclamation reflects careful attention to grading, drainage, erosion control and revegetation. Another notable feature is the condition and continued usefulness of the former mine haul road. The road has remained in excellent condition following reclamation and continues to provide access to existing gas wells, allowing part of the former mining infrastructure to remain useful after mining operations ended. Inspector is Robert Case.

Best Reclaimed Surface Mine: Red River Coal Company, Hollow Fill A

Red River Coal Company’s Hollow Fill A is a successfully reclaimed surface mine and demonstrates a strong commitment to responsible mine land reclamation, making it the winner of the Best Reclaimed Surface Mine award. Located approximately six miles northwest of Norton, VA, the site has been reclaimed to support approved post-mine land uses, including unmanaged forest and light industrial use, along with gas wells and gas lines. During reclamation, native topsoil was carefully utilized to restore the land’s natural growing medium and to provide a suitable foundation for revegetation. This approach promoted the establishment of vegetation and helped return the site to a stable, productive condition while supporting the approved post-mine land uses.

Red River Coal Company demonstrated a strong commitment to quality reclamation throughout the project. Its efforts restored the mined area and left the property in a condition suitable for its intended future uses. Inspector is Steve Williams.

Best Reclaimed Fill: Red River Coal Company, Hollow Fill A, Black Creek 

Red River Coal Company’s Hollow Fill A has shown how careful engineering and environmental stewardship can return previously disturbed ground to a stable, productive and beneficial condition, making it the winner of the Best Reclaimed Fill award.

Completed in 2024, the project involved the placement of 9.8 million cubic yards of durable rock backfill on previously mined land. Topsoil material was graded so the finished surface blended smoothly with the surrounding natural landscape. A well-engineered drainage system directs water away from critical areas, significantly reducing the risk of erosion. A layer of quality topsoil was then applied across the surface, providing a medium capable of supporting healthy vegetation. The vegetative cover not only stabilized the soil, but also helped control surface runoff and contributed to improved water quality in the Powell River watershed. 

The site is both safe and stable, while the established vegetation has transformed the area into productive habitat. Native grazing animals already make use of the restored land, confirming the reclamation has succeeded in creating lasting ecological value. Inspector is John Clevinger.

Best Public Interest: The Black Diamond Company

The Black Diamond Company’s Surface Mine in Grundy, VA, is the winner of the Best Public Interest Award. The permit, issued in January 2020, encompasses 392 acres, authorizing the extraction of coal from the Eagle 1, 2 and 3 seams, as well as the 1-4 and 5 Blair seams. 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 expertly engineered and constructed Durable Rock Fills 1, 2, and 3. Through meticulous site regrading and preparation, Black Diamond has positioned the location for seamless transition into a premier airport facility.

The forthcoming Breaks Regional Airport is poised to serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Buchanan County, attracting new businesses and generating diverse employment opportunities for the community. Inspector is Lail Deel.

About MCPA: The Metallurgical Coal Producers Association is a non-profit trade organization comprised of metallurgical coal producers in Appalachia and those who support its producing members’ operations.  The six coal producers are: Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Allegheny Met, Blackhawk Mining, Coronado Global, Ramaco Resources, Inc., Robindale Energy. Together, MCPA members make up the majority of met coal produced in the U.S. Its mission is to advance the opportunities of the metallurgical coal industry through advocacy, education and outreach. Learn more at www.metcoalproducers.com.