Simplot’s Vernal Mine Honored with Utah Mining Association Awards

Simplot took center stage for safety and sustainability at the recent Utah Mining Association (UMA) awards gala in Salt Lake City. Our Company received the UMA Environmental Stewardship Award and the Outstanding Safety Performance Award.

Vernal Safety Manager Bob Peterson and Mill Manager Nathan Uhrig accepted the awards on behalf of the Company and the mine.

Environmental Stewardship Award 2026

Success in Stewardship

The UMA Environmental Stewardship Award honors programs that advance environmental progress and demonstrate leadership and commitment to a sustainable future in Utah.

Vernal earned its 2026 award for a project establishing sagebrush in its mining reclamation areas. Mine employees collect sagebrush seed from areas adjacent to its reclamation zones, then provide it to a local nursery for propagation. The locally adapted seedlings produced were planted in March 2026.

Reclaimed Land

Environmental Specialist Andrea Olsen led this successful project, completed in partnership with the Ashley National Forest. She pointed out the value of the team's work. "This new science-based, locally sourced approach positions the mine to restore sagebrush communities that provide critical habitat for a wide range of wildlife."

Vernal Mine Manager Jared Jackson also weighed in on the project. "I would like to recognize and express my appreciation for Andrea Olsen for the important work she is doing to enhance post mining reclamation areas for the benefit of local wildlife."

Outstanding Safety Performance Award

The Outstanding Safety Performance Award covers calendar year 2025, recognizing companies with minimal reportable injuries versus hours worked. The UMA looks especially to honor organizations that have an incident rate significantly below the national average.

Vernal earned the Outstanding Safety Performance Award with just one reportable injury in 2025. The site is one of only 26 recipients to receive this recognition for 2025.

Vernal Utah Mine

"I am extremely proud of the Vernal team for their outstanding safety performance," said Jackson. "Over the past year, they have elevated our safety culture by strengthening hazard and risk analysis practices and consistently taking the necessary steps to ensure safe conditions and work procedures."

Big congratulations to the entire Simplot Vernal Mine team! These honors are a testament to their ongoing commitment to and achievements in safety and environmental stewardship last year - and every day of every year!

Vernal is Simplot's phosphate ore mine north of Vernal, Utah. Learn more about Simplot Mining & Manufacturing and the work we do at Vernal.