The Excellence in Reclamation Award program was started in 1996 to recognize excellence in coal, hard rock and aggregate mine reclamation and abandoned mine land projects. EMNRD presents the annual awards at the annual New Mexico Mining Association Conference.

Nomination criteria:
1) Nominees eligible include any entity involved in the reclamation of a mine site or portion of a mine site in New Mexico.
2) Nominees not eligible include those currently in violation of any state or federal environmental laws.
3) Nominations can be for a site that is either an active or inactive mining operation in the state, regardless of whether they are under MMD's jurisdiction.
4) Nominations can include reclamation or safeguarding on abandoned mine land.
5) Nominations for awards may be made by any interested person, group or company including: consulting groups, environmental groups, the owner or operator of the mine, government agencies, or the contractor performing the reclamation.

Past award winners and details of their reclamation projects are listed below.