A copy of a policy on “diesel equipment” issued by CA Phillips, director, Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training to his Inspectors-at-large and all agency inspection staff is available upon request from WVCA offices. The policy addresses and permits the operation of diesel equipment in areas of the mine e.g. crosscuts, spurs and airlocks.

GE is pursuing acquisitions of two underground mining equipment manufacturers in support of the global expansion of its mining business.  GE has signed a binding Letter of Intent to acquire Fairchild International, an independently owned and operated underground mining equipment manufactuer located in Glen Lyn, Virginia and the first associate member of WVCA. The new company will be known as GE/Fairchild.  GE has also entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of Australia-based Industrea Limited, a provider of safety and productivity-enhancing mining equipment and services.

WVCA Senior Vice President Chris Hamilton and county school and elected officials toured Southern West Virginia Community College’s simulated mine facility on Wednesday with Chris and the First Lady of West Virginia, Joann Tomblin addressing the graduating class. 

Chris also addressed the assembly of Tolsia High School’s graduating class which included 33 students who successfully completed the apprentice mining program as part of their high school studies.  This was the first high school apprentice mining program graduating class in West Virginia. 

The 60-day comment period ends June 12 on the EPA’s proposed GHG New Source Performance Standards Rule. The EPA published its proposed rule in the Federal Register, setting New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for greenhouse gases.

The public can view comment submissions at regulations.gov under the docket ID no. EPA-HQ-OAR-2011-0660.