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The Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations for the 2016 Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards. The deadline to submit nominations is April 12, 2016."These awards exemplify what the new legacy of mining has become in the West," said Michael Nedd, BLM Assistant Director for Energy, Minerals and Realty Management. "They highlight responsible mineral development that protects and restores the environment while meeting modern needs for these raw materials."These non-monetary awards highlight some of the finest examples of responsible mineral resource development and illustrate the principles of sustainable development. The awards program also helps to promote successful ideas and practices that may be implemented at various locations throughout the nation.The awards fall under five categories: the Hardrock Mineral Environmental Award, the Hardrock Mineral Community Outreach and Economic Security Award, the Hardrock Mineral Small Operator Award, the Hardrock Mineral Director's Award, and the "Fix A Shaft Today!" Award.The Hardrock Mineral Environmental Award recognizes efforts in environmental stewardship. This category recognizes achievements demonstrating continuous or repeated efforts to successfully meet or exceed Federal, State, or local reclamation requirements with minimal oversight.The Hardrock Mineral Community Outreach and Economic Security Award recognizes projects that show concern for community responsibilities and the economic benefits of mineral development. This award recognizes successful coordination of projects with local and regional stakeholders. Projects that contribute to quality of life or show concern for a community's long-term health are also eligible.The Hardrock Mineral Small Operator Award recognizes efforts in environmental stewardship of operators with fewer than 15 employees. Similar to the Hardrock Mineral Environmental Award, this award recognizes achievements demonstrating continuous or repeated efforts to successfully meet or exceed Federal, State, or local reclamation requirements with minimal oversight.The Hardrock Mineral Director's Award is for outstanding achievement in a particular area of sustainable development. The award will recognize an operator whose dedication and commitment to excellence has resulted in the use of a new or innovative design or technique that allows or enhances successful operations in technically challenging conditions or in critical environmental settings.The "Fix A Shaft Today!" ("FAST!") Award recognizes active participation in the FAST! Campaign, which is a partnership initiative aimed at eradicating unsafe abandoned mine land features, especially open mine shafts.Nominations are to be submitted to the BLM State Office (Attention: Solid Minerals) that has jurisdiction in the State where the operation is located. It is anticipated that the presentation of the awards will take place in Las Vegas in the fall of 2016 in conjunction with MINExpo.Mining companies, regulatory authorities, geologists, and members of the public may nominate operators or organizations in the non-coal solid minerals industries for an award. Nominations need not be limited to operations on land managed by the BLM. For detailed information on the nomination and selection processes, including the required format for nominations, CLICK HERE.