PATH TO CARBON NEUTRALITY
OUR PATH TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Carbon Neutral Drummond
At Drummond Company, we recognize the urgent need to address climate change and reduce our carbon footprint. We are committed to becoming a carbon-neutral company, balancing our carbon emissions with carbon removal, and investing in a sustainable future for our planet.
We pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across our operations by 2050. This ambitious goal reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship and our belief that responsible resource management is essential for a thriving planet.
Drummond Company is a proven leader in the area of environmental protection. Our commitment to responsible mining has led us to develop environmental techniques particular to Alabama conditions that other companies have chosen to emulate. We have also successfully exported many of these environmental techniques to Colombia. For example, our trains, with more than 130 cars, are treated with water to prevent or mitigate the dispersion of particles. As the coal is being loaded and wetted, a roller compacts it. At the same time, the sides of each car are cleaned to leave no residue that could be spread along the train’s path between the mine and the port.
How We’re Achieving Carbon Neutrality
Our path to carbon neutrality involves a multi-faceted approach:
- Emissions Reduction:
- Operational Efficiency: We are continuously improving our operations to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions through technology upgrades, process optimization, and employee engagement.
- Renewable Energy Integration: We are investing in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to supplement our energy mix and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
- Methane Capture and Utilization: We are implementing projects to capture and utilize methane emissions from our mining operations, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating valuable energy resources.
- Carbon Removal:
- Reforestation and Afforestation: We are expanding our reforestation and afforestation efforts, planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and restore ecosystems.
- Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): We are exploring and investing in CCS technologies to capture carbon dioxide emissions from our operations and safely store them underground.
- Nature-Based Solutions: We are supporting projects that enhance natural carbon sinks, such as wetland restoration and soil carbon sequestration.
- Transparency and Accountability:
- Regular Reporting: We will regularly report on our progress towards carbon neutrality, sharing our successes and challenges transparently with our stakeholders.
- Independent Verification: We will seek independent verification of our carbon neutrality claims to ensure credibility and accountability.
Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future
Achieving carbon neutrality is a journey, not a destination. We are committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and collaboration to achieve our goals and inspire others to follow our example. We believe that a carbon-neutral future is possible, and we are proud to be leading the way in the mining industry. By taking bold action today, we can create a better tomorrow for our planet and future generations.
Downey Branch Mitigation Bank
Drummond Company is proud to announce the approval of the Downey Branch Mitigation Bank (DBMB) located in Walker County, Alabama. The DBMB is a privately owned Stream and Wetland Mitigation Bank owned by Drummond Company.
The 127.88 acre Downey Branch Mitigation Bank will conduct enhancement and restoration activities over 6,943 linear feet of a channelized and impacted stream resulting in improved water quality and wildlife habitat. The primary service area for stream and wetland credits generated at the DBMB is the Mulberry Fork watershed and includes portions of Cullman, Walker, Winston, Blount, Jefferson, Marshall, Tuscaloosa and Morgan counties.
The current Downey Branch is a deep channelized stream with high vertical rock banks that is no longer connected to the floodplain and has led to infrequent flooding. The reconstruction of Downey Branch will have the correct stream depth and width to reconnect to the surrounding floodplain and allow natural flooding conditions. This reconstruction will allow floodwaters to spread out on the adjacent floodplain reducing flood flow and reducing the amount of erosion.
The DBMB will establish a riparian buffer management area of 100′ on each side of intermittent streams and 200′ for perennial streams. Historically and pre-impacts, the riparian buffers were a mature Bottomland Hardwood forest. This site has several exotic species Chinese privet, Mimosa, and Japanese Honeysuckle that will be eradicated from the site. The current vegetation will be removed and receive 100% planting of Bottomland Hardwood Trees with 10-15 different species planted per acre.
Drummond Company is committed to preserving and enhancing our natural resources for future generations to enjoy and have partnered with the Freshwater Land Trust to hold the Conservation Easement. As the holder of the easement, Freshwater Land Trust will protect the property in perpetuity, consult on future projects and work with future property owners.
The DBMD has 76,650.76 potential stream credits and 1.41 wetland credits in the bank. We currently have 15,330.15 stream credits and 0.28 wetland credits available.
To learn more about the bank and available credits, contact Keith Madison.
Learn More
Drummond Company has earned a total of six national awards and 40 state awards, highlighting our solid record of reforestation, reclamation, and revegetation. Reclamation work is an ongoing project at Drummond’s mining properties. To date, Drummond has reclaimed more than 60 sites.
To learn more about our carbon neutrality initiative, visit our dedicated website. We invite you to join us on this journey towards a more sustainable future.