Bond Forfeiture Reclamation Group XXIII in Madisonville consisted of one permit, Joshco Mining Corporation. The Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) collected the bond on permit number 016-0024 on Nov. 19, 1986. An initial reclamation project was completed in 1987; however, the forfeited bond proceeds were not sufficient to reclaim the entire site. As a result, a 1,500-foot highwall remained on the site.

In 2000, Madisonville AML office staff met with the landowner to discuss additional reclamation for this permit. After the meeting, a request for supplemental reclamation funds from the AML central office in Frankfort was made. Justification for the funding would be the remaining highwall, at some places nearly 60 feet tall and unstable. The reclamation plan required the draining of any pits at the base of the highwall and backfilling to a reasonable slope.

Reclamation work began in January 2002 with the backfilling of the highwall. The contractor, West Coal Inc., was paid by the acre for all heavy earthwork, which allowed the division to get more work done for the amount of supplemental reclamation funds available.

West Coal Inc. completed the backfilling of the highwall in time for spring seeding. The contractor and resident inspector's dedication to this project ensured the acreage was returned to post-mining land use of hayland and pasture.

The final cost for the 68-acre reclamation job was $256,603.73. In 2002, West Coal Inc. received the Commissioner's Award for Bond Forfeiture Reclamation for its outstanding work on this reclamation project.