2024 EXCELLENCE IN RECLAMATION NOMINATIONS DUE JUNE 28, 2024

2024 Excellence in Reclamation Open Letter

Please send your nominations to:
Stephanie Rodriguez
EMNRD – Mining and Minerals Division
1220 South St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe NM 87505

Electronic submissions may be sent to stephanie.rodriguez@emnrd.nm.gov

The Excellence in Reclamation Award was initiated in 1996 to recognize excellence in coal, hard rock, aggregate, and abandoned mine land reclamation projects, and other industry-related initiatives worthy of recognition. EMNRD-MMD presents the awards at the annual New Mexico Mining Association Convention.

Examples of appropriate nomination topics include, but are not limited to:

1. Advancing reclamation science through studies at the mine site, using the scientific method.
2. Applying state-of-the-art, innovative reclamation techniques which mitigate mining-related impacts to people and/or the environment (surface water, ground water, livestock, wildlife habitat, plants, soils, or cultural resources).
3. Developing state-of-the art, innovative post-mine land use applications to reclaimed portions of the mine site.
4. Voluntary reclamation of a mine by an operator that is not required by any regulatory program.
5. Increasing public awareness of mining issues through open public processes (e.g., stakeholder meetings, voluntary public meetings, publications, etc.).

Selection Criteria:

1. Eligible nominees include any entity involved in the reclamation of a mine site or portion of a mine site in New Mexico, or other deserving efforts or initiatives.
2. Non-eligible nominees include those currently in violation of any state or federal environmental laws.
3. Nominations can be for a site that is either an active or inactive mining operation in the state, regardless of whether they are under MMD’s jurisdiction.
4. Nominations can include reclamation or safeguarding on abandoned mine land.
5. Nominations for awards may be made by any interested person, group, or company including: consulting groups, environmental groups, the owner or operator of the mine, government agencies, or the contractor performing the reclamation.

Each nomination should include the following:

1. The party making the nomination (include address and phone number).
2. The party responsible for the reclamation, safeguarding or permitting process innovation (include address and phone number).
3. Location of the site (must be in New Mexico).
4. Nominations should characterize the degree of effort and level of innovation related to the reclamation or safeguarding project and why it is worthy of recognition.
5. Electronic images or photographs of reclamation/safeguarding also should be provided and may be used in a presentation the day of the awards.

Past award winners and projects are listed below.