Navajo Transitional Energy Company, LLC (NTEC) announced that its Cordero Rojo mine received multiple honors recognizing excellence in mine reclamation and environmental stewardship from the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Specifically, the mine was awarded both the 2025 Excellence in Surface Coal Mining Reclamation National Award and the OSMRE Good Neighbor Award, as well as the 2026 Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award from the DEQ.

The National Award is presented to a coal mining company for achieving the most exemplary mine reclamation in the country, while the Good Neighbor Award recognizes mine operators for working with surrounding landowners and communities during mining and reclamation activities. The national OSM awards highlight both the quality of reclamation completed at the operation and the mine’s commitment to being a strong partner to neighboring landowners, communities and stakeholders.

The 2026 Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award is given annually to Wyoming coal and noncoal mine operators who show exceptional achievement in a specific area of mine reclamation or in overall reclamation performance. The Wyoming DEQ award specifically recognizes Cordero Rojo’s success in establishing native and adaptable tree species on reclaimed lands.

“These awards reflect the dedication and expertise of our employees and reclamation team,” said Vern Lund, CEO, NTEC. “We are honored to be recognized by both state and federal regulators for work that demonstrates our commitment to responsible mining, environmental stewardship and creating lasting value for the communities where we operate. Our team is honored to receive these awards.”

The national awards recognize Cordero Rojo’s long-term commitment to restoring mined lands and the collaborative approach the mine takes to reclamation. During 2024, the Cordero Rojo workforce completed 1,145 acres of regraded backfill, 1,114 acres of topsoil laydown and 528 acres of permanent seeding, completing reclamation in five major areas throughout the mine. Reclamation efforts connected separate established reclamation parcels into larger contiguous areas of reclaimed land, four of which now exceed 1,000 acres.

The OSM awards were presented during a visit to the mine by Deputy Secretary of the Interior Kate MacGregor and Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals and OSM Director Lanny Erdos.