BASF receives Georgia Mining Association 2012 Reclamation Award

CHARLOTTE, NC July 26, 2012 -- BASF Corporation has been awarded the top environmental honor for reclamation of mining land in the state of Georgia by the Georgia Mining Association (GMA). This award recognizes BASF's efforts to return mined lands to their natural state and marks the third time in four years that the BASF Middle Georgia Kaolin site has received the prestigious award.

Mining on the McIntyre, Georgia, property was complete prior to the 1968 Surface Mine Act, which meant the company was not required to reclaim the disturbed land.  However, BASF enlisted the services of Freeport Corporation to reclaim this property in 1981 because it is located adjacent to a state highway with high public visibility.  

As the result of a process which involved terracing to control run-off and minimize erosion, soil preparation and fertilization, the site currently gives life to vegetation in various states of maturity up including planted pine trees.  A total of 52,000 slash pine seedlings were planted on the 153 acres throughout the reclamation process. 

Incorporating Georgia’s Best Management Practices for Mining (BMP) for soil and water conservation as well as stabilization, the site also includes a 10 acre stocked settlement pond.

“BASF believes environmental protection is one of the cornerstones of sustainable development,” said Shane Porzio, Vice President, Global Kaolin Business Management. “The site’s 20 year history includes eight GMA President’s Awards and 10 Outstanding Achievement Awards which is an acknowledgement of our commitment to being a leader in the area of sustainability.”

For press photo, please click on the following link:  http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/07-26-12_MiddleGAReclaimedSite.jpg

Suggested photo caption: The Georgia Mining Association has recognized BASF’s efforts to reclaim a former open mine pit in McIntyre, Georgia, which has been stabilized with grass, trees and a 10 acre pond.

BASF - The Chemical Company

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $20 billion in 2011. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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