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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
United States Gypsum Company Receives Virginia Mining Reclamation Award |
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SALTVILLE, VIRGINIA, Dec. 11 -/E-Wire/-- United States Gypsum Company has won a 2002 Virginia Statewide Mining Reclamation Award for successfully returning the site of the company's Locust Cove underground mine near Rich Valley, Smyth County, Va., to its original state. The Locust Cove site where the company mined and calcined gypsum for almost 40 years today consists of hills and meadows inhabited by deer, turkey and other wildlife. * (Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010511/USGLOGO)
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The Virginia Aggregates Association and the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Division of Mineral Mining, presented U.S. Gypsum with the award for Best Reclamation, Quarry Division.
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The Locust Cove mine was opened in 1961. It supplied gypsum to U.S. Gypsum's wallboard plant in nearby Plasterco, Va. The mine consisted of nine working levels and extended more than 800 feet below the surface. It was shut down in 2000, along with the plant. Reclamation began almost right away.
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A team of U.S. Gypsum employees from the Plasterco facility worked with W-L Construction & Paving, Inc. of Chilhowie, Va., on the reclamation project. They demolished the surface structures and removed the equipment. Much of the mining and milling equipment was transferred to other U.S. Gypsum operations. Next, they completely filled the ventilation shaft with gravel, rather than simply capping it with concrete, thereby surpassing state requirements. Finally, they recontoured the land and reseeded it. Two years later, it has returned to pasture.
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McDonald Hagy, mine inspector with the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Division of Mineral Mining, said, "This reclamation was certainly worthy of recognition. U.S. Gypsum accomplished the whole project in nine months rather than spending years. They spent considerable effort in backfilling the slopes and vertical shaft, which ensures the long-term stability of these areas and will prevent unauthorized entry. The site has been returned to its approximate original contour, and U.S. Gypsum included plant varieties in the reseeding that will attract wildlife. U.S. Gypsum is to be commended for the excellent reclamation."
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"USG has a philosophy of doing things right - complying with the spirit as well as the letter of the law," said Roger Sharpe, manager, geological services, U.S. Gypsum.
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Added George Rolen, acting Plasterco plant manager, "This is a prestigious award in the state of Virginia, and I'm very pleased we received it. The company put forth a great deal of effort to reclaim the Locust Cove mine in a way that would fully address both safety and environmental quality. We are happy to see our work recognized."
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United States Gypsum company is a subsidiary of USG Corporation (NYSE: USG), a Fortune 500 company with business units that are market leaders in their key product groups: gypsum wallboard, joint compound and related gypsum products; cement board; gypsum fiber panels; ceiling panels and grid; and building products distribution. For additional information, visit the USG Web site at www.usg.com
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/SOURCE:
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www.usg.com |
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12-11-2002 |
/CONTACT:
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George Rolen,
(540) 624-3828,
grolen@usg.com,
John Mandel,
(312) 606-4523,
jmandel@usg.com, |
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