Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) is honored to receive the 2024 OSMRE National Award for Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation for its work on the Yazzie Watershed near Farmington, NM, within the Navajo Nation. The award was announced by OSMRE on September 25 during the annual MINExpo, marking NTEC’s fourth such recognition at Navajo Mine and highlighting the company’s dedication to reclamation and safety.
The Yazzie Pit, which was mined from the 1970s until 2010, required extensive reclamation due to its challenging terrain, which includes dry conditions, steep slopes, and water runoff. From 2018 to 2022, NTEC safely relocated 22.5 million cubic yards of material to restore the 2.5-mile pit to its pre-mined condition, making it suitable for wildlife, including fish and birds. Notably, golden eagles were found nesting in the highwall during the reclamation process. NTEC collaborated with the Navajo Nation Fish and Wildlife Services Department, OSMRE, and the Navajo Nation Minerals Department to ensure the proper reclamation of the land while protecting the eagles.
“We are honored to receive the 2024 OSMRE National Award for Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation for the Yazzie reclamation at Navajo Mine,” said Vern Lund, CEO of NTEC. “This project exemplifies our commitment to doing what is right by respecting and preserving our land, in line with Navajo values. I commend the Navajo Mine teams for their hard work over six years, showcasing the successful collaboration between governing agencies and NTEC to achieve excellence in mine reclamation.”
NTEC has consistently prioritized reclamation at its mining operations across New Mexico, Montana, and Wyoming. To date, the company has reclaimed 25,000 acres and has received over thirty-five awards for excellence in reclamation, including eleven National Awards from OSMRE for Excellence in Surface Mining Reclamation.
