Cloud Peak Energy's Cordero Rojo Mine Receives State of Wyoming Reclamation Award

GILLETTE, Wyo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Cloud Peak Energy's Cordero Rojo Mine, located near Gillette, Wyoming, received the 2015 State of Wyoming Reclamation Award from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division for the successful restoration of the Belle Fourche River. The award will be presented at the Wyoming Mining Association's Annual Safety and Reclamation Banquet in Cody, Wyoming, on June 19, 2015.

Through design and reconstruction, the Cordero Rojo Mine relocated a portion of the Belle Fourche River and reclaimed the stream channel to provide approximately the same conditions as premining. The reclaimed stream channel is stable from erosion with abundant grass cover, and the aquatic life has been established with macro invertebrates and invertebrates. These reclamation efforts demonstrate Cloud Peak Energy's commitment to environmental stewardship.

Colin Marshall, President and CEO of Cloud Peak Energy, noted, "Reclamation is a critical part of the mining process, and this award recognizes the successful work of all our employees at the Cordero Rojo Mine. We will continue to return the land to a condition that is as good as or better than before mining began."

"Moving and returning the Belle Fourche River was a major project for our team, requiring significant planning and execution," said Joe Vaccari, General Manager of the Cordero Rojo Mine. "Its completion highlights our commitment to reclamation and environmental stewardship across the mine."

Cordero Rojo mined and shipped approximately 34.8 million tons of low-sulfur coal in 2014, making it the third largest coal mine by production in the U.S. last year. Since its inception, the mine has shipped more than one billion tons. Coal mined from Cordero Rojo is primarily shipped to electric utilities in the western, Midwestern and southeastern United States. Also in 2014, Cordero Rojo Mine received approval for final, phase-three bond release on more than 900 acres of permanently reclaimed land from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.

About Cloud Peak Energy^®

Cloud Peak Energy Inc. CLD is headquartered in Wyoming and is one of the largest U.S. coal producers and the only pure-play Powder River Basin coal company. As one of the safest coal producers in the nation, Cloud Peak Energy mines low sulfur, subbituminous coal and provides logistics supply services. The Company owns and operates three surface coal mines in the PRB, the lowest cost major coal producing region in the nation. The Antelope and Cordero Rojo mines are located in Wyoming and the Spring Creek Mine is located in Montana. In 2014, Cloud Peak Energy shipped approximately 86 million tons from its three mines to customers located throughout the U.S. and around the world. Cloud Peak Energy also owns rights to substantial undeveloped coal and complimentary surface assets in the Northern PRB, further building the Company's long-term position to serve Asian export and domestic customers. With approximately 1,600 total employees, the Company is widely recognized for its exemplary performance in its safety and environmental programs. Cloud Peak Energy is a sustainable fuel supplier for approximately four percent of the nation's electricity.

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