Amax Coal Industries, an affiliate of Amax Inc., the big U.S.-based mining company, has put that thinking to rest thanks to an innovative reclamation practice. One which not only soothes the sensibilities of environmentalists everywhere, but actually generates cash flow and a return for the company.
In Illinois, Amax was left with 7,000 acres — much of it cropland — surrounding its Sun Spot coal mine which closed in 1984. Strict state reclamation policy requires the landowner to achieve a 90% crop yield for two years in any 10-year period in order to be released from a bond.
So Amax planted alfalfa hay. It all sounds peculiar at first, but according to Amax’s J. Michael Kelly, alfalfa was the best crop to plant to seek release from the state bond. The long roots of the plant improve soil structure and conditioning in addition to achieving the required high production yields.
When cubed, the alfalfa is sold as feed for livestock in the area. The bottom line of all this, according to Kelly, is that the consumer gets a quality product, the land is innovatively reclaimed and Amax actually gets a return on its reclamation investment.
It’s the type of sharp thinking which makes the entire mining industry look good.
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