The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has awarded the 2025 Excellence in Mining Reclamation Award in the coal category to the Buckskin Mine for its outstanding work restoring native sagebrush habitat in Campbell County.
The award, which recognizes exceptional achievements in mine reclamation, will be officially presented during the 69th Annual Wyoming Mining Association Convention, taking place June 4–6 in Laramie.
Operated by Buckskin Mining Company, the Buckskin Mine covers over 9,000 acres north of Gillette. DEQ highlighted a particularly successful 50-acre reclamation project focused on restoring Wyoming big sagebrush shrubland habitat—critical terrain for wildlife including mule deer, pronghorn, and sharp-tailed grouse.
“This award demonstrates our efforts in producing quality reclamation for post-mining land use,” said Brady Rivenes, Environmental Coordinator at Buckskin Mine. “We’re honored to be recognized by DEQ for this work.”
The reclamation process began with a barley cover crop to stabilize soil and deter invasive species. A native seed mix—sourced locally to ensure adaptability—was later sown into the barley stand. Within just four years, the area showed robust sagebrush regrowth, exceeding regulatory standards. By year seven, shrub density reached 2.9 shrubs per square meter, nearly three times the required amount, and spread across 80% of the project area.
According to DEQ’s Matt Kunze, Natural Resources Program Supervisor, the success of the project holds broader value: “The methods and lessons learned from this project are transferrable to other shrubland reclamation work at mines across the state.”
In recognition of the successful reclamation, the DEQ’s Land Quality Division granted Phase III bond release for the site in 2024—an important milestone confirming that the land has been effectively restored.
The Buckskin Mine’s work highlights the potential for responsible mining operations to support environmental recovery and contribute to long-term ecological health in Wyoming’s energy-producing regions.
By: BSH staff