FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Details, Contact:
Dallas Scholes, Manager, Government Affairs and Communications
Phone: (307) 685-6103
E-mail: Dallas.Scholes@Kennecottenergy.com
June 30, 2005
Kennecott Energy Company reaches one billionth ton milestone in 2005
Kennecott Energy Company (KEC) produced its one billionth ton of coal on April 18, 2005. KEC produced 129.7 million tons in 2004 after entering the coal market in 1993 producing just 26 million tons.
“The root of this milestone goes much deeper than the coal,” KEC President and CEO Bret Clayton said. “The tireless work of our people, the strong partnerships with our stakeholders and communities, and our commitment to process excellence contributed greatly to this accomplishment and will carry us into the future.”
According to Clayton, KEC will continue to focus on its commitment to safety and environmental responsibility and the communities in which it operates.
“Safety is a core element of our business,” Clayton said. “We believe all injuries are preventable and devote considerable resources to maintaining a safe, incident-free workforce.”
KEC also continues to conduct business in a way that minimizes impacts on the environment. “This means doing more than is required by law to ensure our reclamation efforts are successful,” Clayton explained. “Our commitment to improving our local environment is exemplified by our numerous awards, such as the 2004 National Excellence in Surface Mining and Reclamation Award presented to Jacobs Ranch Mine for its playa/wetland reconstruction.”
KEC and its parent company, Rio Tinto, are also committed to working hand-in-hand with industry partners and the US Department of Energy to pursue research and development of clean coal technology.
“We seek solutions that balance the need for affordable energy with responsible development of resources,” Clayton said. “As with safety, it is the responsibility of all employees to conduct operations in a way that protects the quality of the water, air and land in the surrounding area.
KEC is committed to building long-lasting relationships with its local communities. KEC employees live in seven different communities to support the work done at five mine sites. In 2004 KEC conducted community needs assessments in each of its local communities. KEC employees interviewed community constituents, business leaders and government officials on specific issues facing each area. Since these assessments, KEC has been researching the issues and partnering with various entities within the communities to find solutions.
“The company is an active member of each community and each community has its own unique set of needs and issues,” Clayton said. “Since 1994, KEC has directly invested more than $4 million in community involvement and local charities.”
KEC, headquartered in Gillette, Wyoming, is the nation’s largest producer of Powder River Basin coal, which includes the Northern and Southern Powder River Basin regions. KEC is part of the Rio Tinto Group, a world leader in finding, mining and processing the earth’s mineral resources. KEC operates five coal mines in the western United States: the Antelope, Cordero Rojo, and Jacobs Ranch mines in Wyoming’s Southern Powder River Basin; the Spring Creek mine in Montana’s Northern Powder River Basin; and the Colowyo Coal Company in northeastern Colorado. The company’s other holdings include a 50/50 joint venture interest in Decker Coal, a Montana coal producer. For more information on KEC visit www.kennecottenergy.com.
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Picture caption:
On April 18 Kennecott Energy shipped its one billionth ton out of Antelope Mine. Pictured from left to right are Antelope Mine employees Pat Baumann, project superintendent; Gary Rivenes, mine manager; and Bob Korb, plant operator.
