With over 800 attendees, the 40th Annual WV Mining Symposium was another success story for the books. Guests speakers were well received and their presentations will be available on our web site -- www.wvcoal.com – no later than next week. Photos of the following award winners will also be available on the same web site.
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U. S. metallurgical exports were down approximately 1.2 million tons (-12.2%) in January of this year as compared to January last year, although steam coal exports for the U.S. were up by more than one million tons (+38.9%) for the same periods. Through the first week of March, West Virginia production was down by approximately 7% this year as compared to 2012.
Chris Hamilton, WVCA’s Senior Vice President spoke to the South Charleston Rotary Club.
If you have a local civic organization that would like to have a member of the Association come to their function and speak, please let us know.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced for the third consecutive year West Virginia exports reached a record level, in 2012. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Commerce show the state’s exports grew from $9 billion in 2011 to $11.3 billion in 2012. West Virginia companies exported to 136 countries in 2012.
“Last year, West Virginia’s exports grew by 25 percent, surpassing the national growth rate of 4.6 percent,” said Gov. Tomblin. “Exports are a valuable contributor to our state’s economic growth and stability. While coal continues to be our traditional strength, our top exports also included manufactured products such as plastics, chemicals, machinery and components for medical, automotive and aerospace applications.”
Although coal mining tends to remain a man’s world, there are no gender barriers in the coalfields among people who stand in support of the industry that continues to impact nearly every aspect of life in the region.