Source: Peabody Energy                  Date: 07 July, 2010

Peabody Energy has completed Mongolia's first coal mine restoration project at the former Ereen Mine near Bulgan town in northern Mongolia.  The project involved restoration of a 16-hectare area to hardy pastureland with native forage species, and develops a new community well and a surface pond for livestock.

"Peabody is proud to work with the Mongolian people to create a model for best practices in mining and land restoration that leaves a valuable legacy," said Peabody Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gregory H. Boyce. "We have 126 years of mining expertise and a long record of world-class practices in safety, productivity and land restoration. We continue to extend our hand of friendship to help the Mongolian people unlock the energy and economic benefits of their vast coal reserves in a way that preserves their rich environmental and cultural heritage."

The completion of the project was commemorated at a ceremony attended by officials from Peabody, the area of the work, the province, and from the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy.  They recalled how the program had been designed in consultation with the Mongolian government and developed by an international team, which included Peabody environmental scientists and engineers, Mongolian engineers from Peabody's Mongolian joint venture, the Mongolian Agricultural University and Dr. D.Tumenjargal of the Mongolian Forage Seed Producers Association.  All the work on the ground was carried out by a local Mongolian workforce.

The project has great importance to the Mongolian people, according to a Ministry official, Mr. B. Altsukh. "Bulgan province has always been a pioneer.  We had the first Mongolian Olympic medalist from Bulgan, and now we have the first Mongolian coal mine reclamation. This project is the benchmark for responsible mining.  It means a lot to us," he said.

A key principle of Peabody's mission is to return mined lands to a condition that is equal to or better than before it was mined.