W.Va. Firm Shows Off 'Guardian Angel' for Miners

CHARLESTON, W.Va.

A West Virginia company is working on a piece of equipment designed to keep miners safer.

Trinity Resources demonstrated its a mobile mine safety chamber this week at the West Virginia Mining Symposium in Charleston.

The company headquartered in Putnam County has been working on the project for about three years.

The device resembles a big steel box on bulldozer tracks and is designed to keep underground miners safe in the event of an explosion or collapse.

The Daily Mail reports that the aptly named Guardian Angel contains enough oxygen to keep 15 miners alive for up to four days. Food, first aid gear and water also can be placed under the floor panels in the chamber. And it's also equipped with a toilet.

39th Annual W.Va. Coal Mining Symposium Underway

CHARLESTON - State and national leaders, have been joining with energy experts and regulatory officials in addressing representatives of the state's coal industry during the 39th annual West Virginia Coal Association Mining Symposium. The 2012 Symposium concludes Friday at the Charleston Civic Center.

Friday's session features Senator Manchin discussing his outlook for the on going challenges with EPA's permitting process.  West Virginia Coal companies will be recognized for their Environmental Restoration Awards today.

Main Says Violations at US Coal Mines Down in 2011

By VICKI SMITH
Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Coal operators across the country are changing the way they work, and mines are becoming safer, but the head of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration said Thursday there are still too many who "don't get it."

In a speech at the West Virginia Coal Association's annual mining symposium, MSHA chief Joe Main said his inspectors can't be in every mine at every shift, and companies need to take more responsibility for running coal safely. Those who don't, he warned, can expect to face tough penalties.

Main, Tomblin Headline W.Va. Mining Symposium

The Associated Press

Herald-Dispatch.com

CHARLESTON — The coal industry is in an era of change that industry leaders and regulators are discussing at the West Virginia Coal Association's annual mining symposium in Charleston.

The head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration will tell operators what to expect in 2012 on Thursday, while Virginia's Alpha Natural Resources will talk about its own initiatives.

Alpha bought Massey Energy last summer and has agreed to a federal settlement that could lead to new safety and technology programs.

The deal stemmed from the 2010 explosion of the Upper Big Branch mine.

 

Lawyer Urges Industry 'Caution' in Talking to MSHA

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Coal operators should be more cautious about talking to government mine safety investigators to avoid being ensnared in increased criminal prosecutions in the wake of the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster, according to the lawyer who defended a former Massey Energy security director convicted of lying in the disaster probe.

Former U.S. Attorney Bill Wilmoth told mining industry officials they should more strongly consider asserting their Fifth Amendment rights when called to answer questions by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration's investigation teams.