Green Award
UK Coal Mining Ltd and White Young Green have been awarded a special commendation in the Sustainable Business category of the Staffordshire Green Awards held in December.
The special commendation was awarded for the management of a SSSI at the 217ha Bleak House opencast coal site near Cannock. When mining began in 1993, 5ha of heathland were translocated to a specially prepared receptor site. Strict management of local hydrology protected pools designated on account of their unusual water quality and diverse water bug and dragonfly populations.
After its completion in 2001, having yielded 3.26 million tonnes of coal, the site underwent pioneering restoration work resulting in a greatly expanded area of heathland that attracted new species of rare and protected flora and fauna.
The award recognizes the innovative approach taken in the management of ecosystems at the site, which is now making a positive contribution to the Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan.
