The Governor’s Energy Summit, sponsored by the WV Governor’s Office and the WV Department of Commerce is a one-day conference, entitled West Virginia:  Energy Powering Economic Development, will be held on Tuesday, December 6, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Stonewall Resort.  It will feature presentations on energy independence and security, carbon challenges, alternative fuels, and coal and natural gas resources.

For registration purposes, an online link has been established at: www.energywv.com/energysummit.

This online link is for conference attendance only.  Should you require lodging, please contact the Stonewall Resort directly at (304) 269-7400.  A block of rooms is being held for the evening of December 5 for the “Governor’s Energy Summit” at a rate of $99/night.  All reservations should be made no later than Saturday, November 19.

The Pocahontas Coal Association will hold its next regular meeting on Tuesday, November 29^th, at 6 p.m. at the Princeton Elks Club.  As is tradition during the Fall Meeting, the PCA and the Bluefield Daily Telegraph will be presenting the Boys High School Football Player of the Week awards, as well as the Player of the Year award.

For further information contact Jason Fannin at 276.623.2914 or 276.698.5317.

Resources Boom Fuels Demand for Underground Labor, Spurs Skyrocketing Pay; a $1,200 Chihuahua

By JOHN W. MILLER

MANDURAH, Australia—One of the fastest-growing costs in the global mining industry are workers like James Dinnison: the 25-year-old high-school dropout from Western Australia makes $200,000 a year running drills in underground mines to extract gold and other minerals.
The heavily tattooed Mr. Dinnison, who started in the mines seven years ago earning $100,000, owns a sky-blue 2009 Chevy Ute, which cost $55,000 before a $16,000 engine enhancement, and a $44,000 custom motorcycle. The price tag on his chihuahua, Dexter, which yaps at his feet: $1,200.

James Dinnison, a 25-year-old high school dropout from Western Australia, makes $200,000 a year running drills in underground mines to extract gold and other minerals. Why is he paid so much? John Miller explains on Lunch Break.

ST. LOUIS , Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Patriot Coal Corporation (NYSE:PCX - News) today announced the realignment of its operations management to strengthen oversight of key mine complexes in Appalachia and facilitate plans for expansion of captive production.  Effective November 21 , the following management team will report directly to Bennett K. Hatfield , Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer:

• ·John R. Jones will join Patriot as Vice President, Operations – West Virginia South Region, including the Rocklick, Wells, Big Mountain and Paint Creek complexes.
• ·James N. Magro will serve as Senior Vice President, Operations – West Virginia North Region, including the Panther, Kanawha Eagle and Federal complexes.
• ·Michael D. Day will be Senior Vice President – Engineering and West Virginia Central Region Operations, with dual responsibilities for both the corporate engineering group and an operating region that includes the Logan County, Corridor G, Campbell 's Creek and Blue Creek complexes
• ·Lawrence J. Millburg will become Vice President, Operations – Kentucky Region, including the Bluegrass, Dodge Hill and Highland complexes
• ·Terry G. Hudson will continue in his current position as Vice President – Safety.
• · E. Kent Hartsog will continue in his current role as Vice President - Operations Support

International Energy Outlook 2011 (IEO2011) released today by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) presents updated projections for world energy markets through 2035. The IEO2011 Reference case projection does not incorporate prospective legislation or policies that might affect energy markets.

Worldwide energy consumption grows by 53 percent between 2008 and 2035 in the Reference case, with much of the increase driven by strong economic growth in the developing nations especially China and India. "China and India account for half of the projected increase in world energy use over the next 25 years. China alone, which only recently became the world's top energy consumer, is projected to use 68 percent more energy than the United States by 2035." said Acting EIA Administrator Howard Gruenspecht.