Mountain Forest Products operation

Restoration to post-mining land use of unmanaged forest

This operation is an excellent example of how additional mining and re-mining can benefit landowners, operators, and the community. The operator has demonstrated good faith efforts to comply with all State and Federal mining regulations and permit requirements through the maintenance of backfilling and regrading, topsoiling, revegetation, and monitoring activities. The reclamation of pre-law highwall provided land with a higher and more profitable use. Re-mining operations eliminated abandoned mine land hazards and provided areas suitable for economic development. Barren lands and steep slopes have been transformed into an aesthetically pleasing and productive piece of property. Excellent ground cover has been established to implement the post-mining land use of unmanaged forest.

Deer grazing on reclaimed mined land

This entire operation was comprised of second cuts on existing walls. The minimum amount of highwall was exposed at any one time. Pits were routinely filled and final grading was completed within two months of coal removal. Wetlands currently on this site are naturally occurring. However, Paramont has specific plans to install new wetlands to benefit wildlife. With continued cooperation between Paramont and the regulatory authorities, mining will continue to eliminate environmental problems, improve the productivity of the land, and provide economic stability to the coalfields of Southwest Virginia.