News Archive

28 September 2006

Environmental Award Success for Mining Company

ATH Resources plc, one of the largest coal producers in the UK, has received an Environmental Award in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the environment at the company’s Garleffan opencast coal site in Ayrshire. The award was presented by the Coal Authority at their Annual Conference in London.

Each year, after rigorous evaluation and inspection, the Coal Authority short-lists for the award a number of opencast mining projects that have carried out exceptional environmental work. The Garleffan site, operated by ATH Resources, proved this year’s clear winner.

Of particular note at Garleffan was ATH Resources’ work with The Wildlife Conservation Partnership to attract breeding Peregrine falcons to the area. The restoration plans have been revised to make the site more attractive to the endangered falcons, by measures such as the retention of a 120-metre section of escarpment to provide craggy nesting areas and the flooding of the quarry base to create a variety of wetland habitats. This site conservation management policy has also benefited other species at risk, including Barn Owl and Grasshopper Warbler, through the provision of nesting boxes and habitat management.

A Technical Support Group has also been established by ATH Resources. Its members, which include Scottish National Heritage, the RSPB, East Ayrshire Council, Nith District Fisheries Board and the Ayrshire Rivers Trust, provide environmental input on the operation of Garleffan.

ATH Resources Chief Executive Officer, Tom Allchurch said, ‘We are extremely pleased to receive the Coal Authority Environment Award. By working in close co-operation with environmental groups, the local authority and in particular the Technical Support Group, we have demonstrated how opencast mining can bring significant benefits to the local environment.’

For further information:
Jennings Nicholson Associates
David Nicholson	Tel: +44 (0) 1904 629210
contact@jennings-nicholson.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

ATH Resources is an AIM-listed operator of opencast coal mines in the UK with its current three operational mines, Skares Road, Grievehill and Garleffan, located near New Cumnock, East Ayrshire in Scotland. The Company is currently the third largest producer of coal in the UK producing approximately 1.7 million tonnes per annum.

Back to News Archive

Back to Top