2009-02-23 16:26:03 -
Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: FCL) today announced that five mining facilities operated by its affiliates in West Virginia have each earned the Mountaineer Guardian safety award for 2008. They are the Kingston Processing Plant, Laurel Creek Mine #1, Ewing Fork (Pax) Surface Mine, Paynter Branch Surface Mine and Rockspring Development's Camp Creek Processing Plant. Another mine, the Simmons Fork
Surface Mine, received the Turkey Habitat Reclamation award. The facilities received the awards at the West Virginia Coal Mining annual symposium on February 19th.
The West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training along with the West Virginia Coal Association created this award 25 years ago in an effort to promote safety in West Virginia coal mines. The award is presented to selected mines and mining-related entities that meet strict safety criteria. The award recognizes those organizations that manage fatality-free operations, superior internal safety programs, cooperative teaming with authorities and minimal safety violations.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection presented the reclamation award to the Simmons Fork mine for its efforts to assure good vegetation success by implementing its approved post-mining landuse reclamation plan. The planting mix has already attracted turkey and other wildlife on the former mining site.
Foundation's Senior Vice President of Operations, Jim Bryja, said, ?These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our affiliated employees. We are committed to operating safely and efficiently. Safety is built into every activity, every day and at every operation. Our environmental efforts are among our most rewarding measures of our commitment to each community in which we operate. We are proud to be an environmental steward at all of the operations."
The mining affiliates that received these awards are located in several counties in West Virginia including, Fayette, Mingo, Wyoming, Raleigh and Wayne County.
About Foundation Coal
Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc., through its affiliates is a major U.S. coal producer with 9 coal mines and related facilities in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Through its subsidiaries, Foundation Coal employs approximately 3,000 people and produces approximately 70 million tons annually, largely for utilities generating electricity. Foundation's corporate offices are in Linthicum Heights, Md.
Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc.
Rick Nida
Manager, Investor and Media Relations
410-689-7605
rnida@foundationcoal.com 
