Feature Stories
West Virginia Coal Association: Coal Must Be Centerpiece of New American Energy Policy
July 12, 2013
There can be no doubt now that Obama Administration has declared war on coal – and most specifically on West Virginia coal. Even his own science advisor makes no bones about it — saying a war on coal is “needed.”
2013 Coal Prep Show: Coal Still Key to U.S. Global Economic Growth
May 4, 2013
Researched by Loretta Clark for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas) — As a boy who grew up on a tobacco farm just 50 miles south of Lexington, Kentucky, Nick Carter, President and Chief Operating Officer of Natural Resource Partners
University of Arizona Researchers Developing Interactive Computer Games to Avoid Fatalities in Mines
April 12, 2013
Fatal accidents happen each year in mines across Arizona, despite ongoing efforts to curb their prevalence by carefully analyzing each accident to find its root cause and instituting new practices to prevent future accidents. Now, UA scientists are stepping in.
Real Life Mining Stories With Leadership Lessons: Solving Problems at Work Is Everyone’s Job
December 7, 2012
In 1972, after I had worked as a coal miner for six weeks, I bid on a rockduster’s job. The production section was a little too scary for me as a new miner. Lumbering coal buggies heaped with tons of
Real Life Mining Stories With Leadership Lessons: Good Leaders Must Remain Calm, in Control
August 24, 2012
As a coal mine supervisor, I had two guiding principles or rules, which I tried to live by. First, I tried to treat each crew member with the respect I would like to receive. I learned to take this principle
Mine Rescue Remembered: Events Mark 10th Anniversary of Quecreek Rescue in Pennsylvania
July 30, 2012
Like the eight other miners who were trapped in the Quecreek Mine, Blaine Mayhugh thought he would die 245 feet underground. Mayhugh was one of nine men from Black Wolf Coal Co. working in a seam when 50 million gallons
Real Life Mining Stories With Leadership Lessons: Take a Daily Check of Your Business’ Environment
July 13, 2012
One of my daily duties as a supervisor in an underground coal mine was to check the barometer in the foreman’s office prior to going underground. Each shift, a foreman noted the barometer reading on a chart. This check was
Real Life Mining Stories Leadership Lessons: Leaders Responsible for Communication & Relationships
June 22, 2012
One of my most important safety tools as a supervisor in the coal mines was an anemometer. The anemometer (a round device with fan-like blades) measured the flow of air. Twice a day, by state law, I was required to
Real Life Mining Stories With Leadership Lessons: It Takes Leaders & Followers to Build Great Things
May 9, 2012
On May 20, 2007, I was a featured speaker on a tour of “The Little Cities of Black Diamond.” South of Nelsonville, we passed the Eclipse Company Town built to house coal miners and their families around 1900. On the
Real Life Mining Stories With Leadership Lessons: Don’t Leave Leadership Training to Chance
April 17, 2012
From 1974 through 1976 the coal mine in which I worked experienced a number of wildcat strikes. Several of these strikes lasted more than a week. During this time, I was a member of the United Mine Workers of America
