Published: April 25, 2022 |

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During the Joint Spring meeting with the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute, which took place April 19-20 in Morgantown, the West Virginia Coal Association (WVCA) recognized and celebrated “Exemplary Mine Safety & Environmental Excellence” achievements of mining industry operations across the state.

“West Virginia’s coal industry continues to show its resilience and commitment to excellence across the board,” said WVCA President Chris Hamilton.

“It’s always a proud day for us when we can recognize those who excel in safety and reclamation, showing that the best and brightest in the industry are right here in West Virginia,” added Hamilton.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety & Training cosponsor this special mining awards program.

SAFETY AWARDS

“Safety always has been and continues to be our top priority in the coal industry,” said Hamilton. “2021 was a record setting year for industry safety and our members demonstrate the highest levels of dedication to protecting our coal miners.”

Inspectors with the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training (WVOMHST) evaluate all coal operations and contractors to select the winners. WVOMHST Director Eugene White presented the awards.

The Mountaineer Guardian Safety Awards presented during the April 19 Awards Luncheon include:

Best of Class Statewide Awards
• Eustace E. Frederick Milestone Safety Award for underground coal mines:
    - Rockwell Mining Coal Branch #1 Mine
    - Rockwell Mining Flying Eagle Mine

• Bart B. Lay Jr. Milestone Safety Award for surface coal mines:
    - Cleveland Cliffs Princeton, Extra Energy, Blue Eagle Mine

Underground Operations:
• Arch Resources Tygart Valley Leer Mine
• Mettiki Coal Mettiki E Mine
• American Consolidated Natural Resources Harrison County Mine
• Greenbrier Minerals Muddy Bridge Mine
• Spartan Mining Road Fork #52 Mine
• Aracoma Coal Cedar Grove #2 Mine
• CONSOL Mining Company Itmann #5 Mine
• Raw Coal Mining Sewell R Mine

Surface Operations:
• Appalachian Resources Grapevine East Mine
• Cornerstone Labor Services Coal Mountain #1 Mine
• Greenbrier Minerals Toney Fork Mine
• White Forest Resources South Fork Coal Blue Knob Mine
• Republic Energy Workman Creek/Collins Fork Mine
• Coal-Mac Twin Branch Mine
• Pocahontas Coal Pocahontas Mine
• LP Mineral Ralph Six Mine
• Ed Coal Skinned Poplar Mine
• Onyx Energy Jupiter Mine
• Ramaco Resources Ram #1 Mine
• Blackhawk Mining, Panther Creek Samples Mine

Prep Plants/Loadouts:
• Arch Resources Tygart Valley, Leer Preparation Plant
• Arch Resources Wolf Run Mining, Leer South Preparation Plant
• Arch Resources Mingo-Logan Coal Co., Cardinal Preparation Plant
• Greenbrier Minerals Elklick Loadout
• Greenbrier Minerals Saunders Prep Plant
• Onyx Energy Olan Processing Plant
• Cleveland Cliffs Princeton Eckman Loadout
• Performance Industries Coal Mt. Loadout
• Raven Crest Contracting Bull Creek Prep Plant and Refuse
• Spartan Mining Mammoth Plant
• Carter Roag Coal Star Bridge Plant

Quarries:
• Martin Marietta Materials, Burning Springs
• Appalachian Aggregates, LLC
• US Silica Co. Berkeley Plant
• Patterson Excavating Co. Patterson Quarry

Independent Contractors
• Powell Construction, Inc.
• Hawkeye Contracting Co.
• Webster Trucking

Special Recognition Award:
• Elk Run Coal Company, Chess Coal Processing Plant

ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

“This year’s reclamation award winners are proof positive that the best environmentalists out there are in the coal industry,” said West Virginia Coal Association Vice President Jason Bostic.

“Our members display a firm commitment to environmental protection and responsible reclamation in West Virginia,” added Bostic.

Inspectors with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) selected the winners, and DEP’s Mining & Reclamation Director, Johnathan Rorrer, handed out the awards.

The Environmental Excellence awards include:
The top award — the Greenlands Award — went to White Forrest Resources, Raven Crest Contracting, and Boone North No 2 Surface Mine.

Other reclamation award winners include:

• Good Neighbor & Community Outreach Award:
American Consolidated Natural Resources, Marion County Coal Resources, Marion County Mine Harvey Run II Expansion

• WV Underground Mine Award:
Arch Resources, Wolf Run Mining, Sycamore No. 2 Deep Mine

• Coal Refuse Facility Award: 
Arch Resources, ICG Eastern, North Point Fine Coal Refuse Slurry Impoundment

Surface Mine Awards:
• Blackhawk Mining, Panther Creek Mining, Sycamore South / Laurel Branch Valley Fill
• Blackhawk Mining, Rockwell Mining, Huff Creek Haulroad
• Cleveland Cliffs Princeton, Mid-Vol Coal Sales, Red Hawk Surface Mine
• Metinvest-United Coal Company, Pocahontas Coal Company, Devil’s Fork No. 2 Highwall Mine
• Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Black Castle Mining, Checkmate Surface Mine

About West Virginia Coal Association
Located in Charleston, W.Va., the West Virginia Coal Association is a trade association representing more than 90 percent of the state’s underground and surface coal mine production. Its purpose is to have a unified voice representing the state’s coal industry as well as increase emphasis on coal as a reliable energy source to help the nation achieve energy independence.

To stop by West Virginia Coal Association’s website, CLICK HERE

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