Coal Bits: Oct. 9th, 2008--- Twenty mining operations have been honored for their outstanding 2007 safety records through the annual Sentinels of Safety awards program co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Mining Association.

WVCA member companies earning first place and their number of consecutive employee hours recorded and mining categories are as follows:

• Large Surface Coal Group:  Guyan Surface Mine, Apogee Coal Company, L.L.C., Yolyn, WV, 523,797 hours
• Large Open Pit Group:  Babbitt Mine, Cleveland Cliffs-Northshore Mining, Babbitt, MN, 352,251 hours

For a full listing of all winners and additional information go to:  www.msha.gov