April 17, 2025 - Miners from across West Virginia were in Charleston Tuesday for the kick-off of the 51st annual mining symposium.

The two-day event is taking place at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center and is sponsored by the West Virginia Coal Association and the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute. The event included the second annual West Virginia Coal Show, which allows multiple organizations within the coal industry to meet under the same roof and, potentially, do business with each other.

“This is the heart of Coal Country, and we wanted to bring the latest products and services from, basically, around the world here to Charleston to benefit the coal industry,” said Michael Schoppenhorst, sales manager for the West Virginia Coal Show.

Also in attendance at the symposium on Tuesday were U.S. Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) and Babydog. Justice has been very vocal about the important role energy plays in the Mountain State. At the event, he talked with miners to hear out any of their concerns or suggestions.

Justice also expressed his excitement when it comes to the future of energy in West Virginia, saying that our state’s coal miners currently hold the key to what he calls the “Emerald City.”

The event will continue on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.