International Coal Group Mining Operations Earn Prestigious West Virginia Safety and Environmental Awards

SCOTT DEPOT, W.Va., Feb. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- International Coal Group, Inc. (NYSE: ICO) today announced that four of its mining operations received the prestigious Mountaineer Guardian Award for outstanding safety performance in 2010 from the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety, and Training and the West Virginia Coal Association.  Additionally, one operation received a West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection ("WVDEP") Reclamation Award for innovative design, construction and reclamation of an active haul road.

The ICG Eastern Birch River surface mine, ICG Eastern Birch River preparation plant, Wolf Run Mining Company's Imperial deep mine and Wolf Run Mining Company's Sentinel preparation plant each received the award at the 38th Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium in Charleston.

West Virginia state and local mine inspectors and the West Virginia Coal Association nominated the ICG operations for the award, which has been presented annually since 1983.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the Birch River surface mine and preparation plant garnered Mountaineer Guardian Awards and the third consecutive year that the Imperial mine was honored. In addition, all three operations have previously been recognized by various federal and state agencies for their outstanding safety records.

ICG Eastern received a WVDEP Reclamation Award related to its construction of the Bearpen haul road. The haul road minimized the operation's impact on local communities, avoided significant stream impact and exceeded regulatory requirements.

"It is an honor for the employees of our ICG Eastern and Wolf Run Mining Company complexes to be presented with these awards," said ICG President and CEO Ben Hatfield. "The achievements demonstrate the dedicated efforts being made across the ICG workforce to improve our safety and health performance, and to operate responsibly within our communities."

International Coal Group is a leading producer of coal in Northern and Central Appalachia and the Illinois Basin. The Company has 13 active mining complexes, of which 12 are located in Northern and Central Appalachia, and one in Central Illinois. ICG's mining operations and reserves are strategically located to serve utility, metallurgical and industrial customers domestically and internationally.

SOURCE International Coal Group, Inc.