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The Associated Press
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.
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Fola Coal Mine No. 1 wins the Barton B. Lay Milestones of Safety Award
Consol’s Robinson Run No. 95 wins the Eustace Frederick Award.
CHARLESTON -- Mine safety is a central focus of West Virginia’s coal industry. At Thursday’s session of the 39th Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium in Charleston, 32 mining and service companies were recognized for their commitment to workplace safety in 2011.
Topping the list of award winners were Fola Coal Company’s Surface Mine No. 1 in Clay County, that took home the Barton B. Lay Milestones of Safety Award and Consol’s Robinson Run No. 95 in Marion County that took home the Eustace Frederick Award.
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By Taylor Kuykendall, Reporter -
Though the coal industry may face a tougher crowd at the federal level, West Virginia officials are embracing the industry.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Senate President Jeff Kessler both talked up their dedication to coal at the West Virginia Coal Association's symposium Thursday.
"Coal has been the backbone of our economy for 100 years and will continue to for many years to come, to be an important of our economy in West Virginia," Tomblin said, thanking the industry representatives for their roles in the state's success.
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By Taylor Kuykendall, Reporter -
West Virginia's coal industry is hoping federal coal regulators will have guidelines for approving more extended-face, or deep-cut, coal mining plans as soon as spring.
West Virginia Coal Association Vice President Chris Hamilton has been advocating the use of remotely operated continuous miners with a face operation as far away as 40 feet. Though most machinery is designed to operate at that distance, Hamilton said, approval for deeper cuts have not been approved often.
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After the 2006 Sago Mine disaster killed 12 miners,West Virginia public officials vowed to crack down on unsafe practices in the industry.
But in April 2010, we were reminded how much work needs to be done to improve mine safety. It was then that 29 miners died in another Mountain State disaster, at the Upper Big Branch Mine.
During his State of the State speech, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin urged legislators to approve a new package of mine safety rules.
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