Broomfield, CO – April 15, 2026 – Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) announced today that it has been selected to receive two national awards from the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC) in recognition of outstanding performance in mine safety training and mine reclamation at its Spring Creek Mine in southeastern Montana.
NTEC was named the 2026 National Mine Safety and Health Training Award recipient in the Industry Category – Coal Surface Mining for its innovative Mandatory Health and Safety MSHA Standards Training program. The company also received the 2026 National Mine Reclamation Award – Coal Category, upon nomination by the State of Montana through the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
“These awards reflect the dedication of our workforce and our commitment to doing the work safely, responsibly, and with long‑term environmental stewardship in mind,” said David Schwend, General Manager of Spring Creek Mine. “We are proud of our team at Spring Creek Mine who continue to raise the bar in both safety and reclamation.”
The award‑winning safety training program combined required MSHA standards with a creative instructional approach designed to improve employee engagement and long‑term retention of critical safety concepts. The nationally recognized reclamation project utilized an innovative dragline‑dozer method to accelerate final pit backfill and regrading, reducing fuel use, equipment hours, and environmental impacts while restoring lands designated for wildlife habitat.
IMCC is an intergovernmental organization representing mining states across the U.S. Projects considered for IMCC awards are reviewed and submitted through state regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance with all applicable requirements prior to national recognition.
Both awards will be formally presented at the IMCC Annual Awards Banquet on May 19, 2026, at the French Lick Springs Hotel in French Lick, Indiana.
About NTEC
Navajo Transitional Energy Company (NTEC) is a world-class, diversified energy company with a unique purpose and vision. Established by the Navajo Nation to exercise sovereignty over its abundant natural resources, NTEC has grown rapidly and now has a sizeable and successful portfolio of mining and energy generation assets. NTEC is committed to achieving multi-generational, clean energy solutions that ensure the continued prosperity of the Navajo Nation while providing essential power to the entire Southwest and beyond.
NTEC is a leader in safety and reclamation and was recognized with the 2024 and 2022 Sentinels of Safety award from the National Mining Association, the Safety Award for Large Surface Mine from the Rocky Mountain Coal Institute, and the National Award for Excellence in Surface Mining Reclamation from the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement in 2024, 2022, and 2020.
