The Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining has honored Simplot Phosphates for the company’s sustainability work that it consistently implements north of Vernal.

“This particular award is unique for us because an independent agency nominated us,” Vernal mine manager Mark Krall said. “It was not for any individual project, but rather for our philosophy of ongoing sustainability efforts and being good stewards of the land.”

Simplot takes extra steps to introduce biodiversity with micro environments built into reclaimed areas, thereby encouraging return of native wildlife following reclamation, according to the oil, gas and mining division.

This is the fourth time in five years that the Simplot Phosphates has been honored by the Utah state agency. Simplot was previously honored for reclamation work, an educational program about mining, reclamation and post-mining land use, and alteration of mine reclamation plans to help build two emergency runaway-truck ramps.