SAFETY AWARDS

“Safety always has been and continues to be our top priority in the coal industry,” said Hamilton. “2023 was a record setting year for industry safety and our members demonstrate the highest levels of dedication to protecting our coal miners.”

Inspectors with the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training (WVOMHST) evaluate all coal operations and contractors to nominate the winners. WVOMHST Director Frank Foster presented the awards. 

The 2023 Governor’s Milestones of Safety Awards presented during the event include:

Best of Class Statewide Awards

• Eustace E. Frederick Award for underground coal mines: 
  • Arch Resources, ACI Tygart Valley, Leer Mine
  • Arch Resources, Wolf Run Mining, LLC, Leer South
• Bart B. Lay Jr. Award for surface coal mines:
  • United Coal, Pocahontas Coal Company, LLC, Wyco Surface Mine
  • Coal-Mac, LLC, Painted Rock Surface

Mountaineer Guardian Awards were presented to the following mining operations: 

Underground Operations

• Alliance Coal, Mettiki Coal WV, LLC, Mettiki E Mine
• Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Nicholas Contura, LLC, Rolling Thunder
• Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Aracoma Coal Company, Cedar Grove Mine 3
• American Consolidated Natural Resources, Harrison County Coal Resources, Harrison County Coal Mine
• Arch Resources, Mingo Logan Coal, LLC, Mountaineer II Mine
• Blackhawk Mining, Panther Creek Mining, American Eagle Mine
• Blackhawk Mining, Kanawha Eagle Mining, LLC, Coalburg #1
• Blackhawk Mining, Kanawha Eagle Mining, LLC, Eagle Mine
• Coronado, Greenbrier Minerals, LLC, Eagle No. 1 Mine
• Ramaco Resources, Triad # 2
• Ramaco Resources, Stonecoal Branch Mine #2
• Ramaco Resources, Eagle Seam Deep Mine
• Ramaco Resources, Michael Powellton Deep Mine
• Ramaco Resources, Berwind Deep Mine
• RS Mining, Inc, Caretta #3 Mine
• Southern Minerals, LLC, Sally Ann Coal Company, Inc, Mine # 1
• United Coal, Pocahontas Coal Company, LLC, Affinity Mine

Surface Operations:

• Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Republic Energy LLC, Workman Creek/Collins Fork
• Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Nicholas Contura, LLC, Bishop Surface
• Contour Highwall Mining LLC, Bundy Auger Mining, Inc., SHM 06 Highwall Mine
• Coronado, Greenbrier Minerals, LLC, Elklick Surface Mine
• Eagle Forge Services, Sundial Mining, LLC, Edwight Surface Mine
• LP Mineral, LLC, Ralph Six
• Ramaco Resources, Ram Surface Mine #1
• Ramaco Resources, Maben Surface Mine
• United Coal, Pocahontas Coal Company, LLC, Tommy Creek Highwall 

Prep Plants/Loadouts:

• Alliance Coal, Tunnel Ridge, LLC, Tunnel Ridge Prep Plant
• Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Bandmill Coal, LLC, Rum Creek Prep Plant
• Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Kingston Processing, Inc., Kingston Plant
• Appalachian Resource Company , Tug Fork Prep Plant
• Arch Resources, ACI Tygart Valley, Leer Prep Plant
• Arch Resources, Wolf Run Mining, LLC, Leer South Prep Plant
• Arch Resources, Mingo Logan Coal, LLC, Cardinal Prep Plant
• Cleveland Cliffs, Prime Processing, Inc., Roadfork Loadout
• Coal-Mac, Screaming Eagle Coal, LLC, Peach Orchard Plant
• Coal-Mac, No. 22 Prep Plant
• Cornerstone, Onyx Energy, LLC, Olan Processing Plant
• Coronado, Greenbrier Minerals LLC, Saunders Prep Plant
• Ramaco Resources, Elk Creek Preparation Plant

Quarries:

• Ace Aggregates LLC, Rose Holdings LLC, Philippi Quarry
• Appalachian Aggregates, LLC, Kelly Mountain Quarry
• Appalachian Aggregates, LLC, Mercer Stone
• Appalachian Aggregates, LLC, Beckley Quarry
• East River Aggregates, Mercer Plant
• JF Allen Co., Mashey Gap Quarry

Independent Contractors

• Boyd Company
• Coal-Mac, Coal-Mac Reclamation
• Compliance Staffing Agency, LLC DBA: Jennmar Services
• Jennmar
• Long Run Transportation
• Preston Contractors

ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

“This year’s reclamation award winners are proof positive that the best environmentalists out there are in the coal industry,” said West Virginia Coal Association Vice President Jason Bostic. “Our members display a firm commitment to environmental protection and creative, responsible reclamation in West Virginia.” 

Inspectors with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) selected the winners, and DEP’s Mining & Reclamation Director, Jonathan Rorrer, handed out the awards.

The Environmental Excellence awards presented during the event include:

The top award – the Greenlands Award, went to Arch Resources’ Wolf Run Mining Company, LLC, Leer South Complex and Allegheny Metallurgical’s Century Mine Complex.

The Special Community Recovery Award was presented to Blackhawk Mining’s Kanawha Eagle Mining LLC and the Community Involvement Award was presented to Arch Resources’ Wolf Run Mining Company, LLC.  

Other reclamation award winners include: 

Drainage Structures/Water Management Award

Arch Resources, ICG Tygart Valley, LLC, Leer Mine Complex, U200406, O201706

Haul Road Construction Award

Blackhawk Mining, Rockwell Mining, LLC, Pond Fork 2 Gas Haul Road, U500112 

Prep Plant & Loadout Reclamation Award

Cleveland Cliffs, Mid-Vol Coal Sales, Inc., No. 8 Loadout, O000384 

Underground Mine Reclamation Awards

ACNR, WV Land Resources, Inc.
Blacksville No. 1 Mine, U004584 

AMR, Elk Run Coal Company, Queen and Black Queen, U066300 

Surface Mine Reclamation Award 

AMR, Republic Energy, LLC, Workman Creek Middle Ridge Surface Mine, S301712

Valley Fill Construction Award

AMR, Republic Energy, LLC, Kingston North Surface Mine, S300215

For additional information, contact Chris Hamilton at (304) 342-4153.