Awards presented during annual Coal Symposium in Charleston

Charleston, WV – Thirty-three West Virginia mining operations were recognized for stellar safety efforts in 2009 during the West Virginia Coal Association’s 37th Annual Mining Symposium. 

“All of our companies strive to meet the highest standards of safety.” West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney said.  “I wish we could recognize every single operation. These award winners are fantastic examples of the commitment to safety every one of our member companies shows on a daily basis. Each of them is to be commended for the hard work they put in each day to sure their operations are as safe as possible and to send our people home at the end of their shifts.”

Raney said Simmons Fork Mining, LLC’s Ewing Fork #1 operation took the top honor for surface mines, claiming the Bart B. Lay, Jr. Milestones of Safety Award. Raney said Mingo-Logan’s Mountaineer #2 mine claimed this year’s Eustace Frederick Milestones of Safety Award for underground mines. 

“Both Simmon’s Fork and Mingo-Logan have taken steps above and beyond what is required by state and federal regulations,” Raney said. “ They are the truly dedicated to the safety of their employees, and they are greatly deserving of this award.”

The West Virginia Coal Association’s Mountaineer Guardian Awards are presented each year to mining companies that have demonstrated a commitment to safety standards.  Inspectors for the West Virginia Office of Mine Health Safety and Training nominate companies based on numerous criteria. 

The companies receiving Mountaineer Guardian Awards for 2009 are as follows:

All Award Winners 2009

(33 total)

Eustace Frederick Milestone’s In Safety Award

Underground Mines

Mingo Logan Mountaineer #2 Operation

Bart B. Lay Milestone’s in Safety Award

Surface Mines

Simmons Fork Mining LLC, Ewing Fork #1

Underground

Wolf Run Mining Company                                Imperial Mine

Consolidation Coal Company                             Blacksville #2

Eastern Associated Coal Corp.              Federal #2

Consolidation Coal Company                             Loveridge Mine

Brooks Run Mining Company LLC                      Cucumber Mine

Pinnacle Mining Company LLC               Pinnacle Mine

Mountain Edge Mining Inc.                                 Sugar Maple Mine

Rivers Edge Mining Inc.                                     Rivers Edge Mine

Newtown Energy Inc.                             Coalburg #2 Mine

Aracoma Coal Company                                    Henshaw Mine

Kingston Resources Inc.                                    Kingston #1

Brooks Run Mining Company LLC                      Poplar Ridge #1

Midland Trail Energy LLC                                   Campbell’s Creek #7

 Surface

Simmons Fork Mining Inc.                                  Paynter Branch

Alex Energy Inc.                                                North Surface #1

Phoenix Coal-Mac Mining Inc.                Holden 22 Surface

White Flame Energy Inc.                                    White Flame #10

Southern WV Resources LLC                 #1 Surface Mine

ICG Eastern LLC                                                Birch River Mine

Fola Coal Company LLC                                    Surface Mine #1

 Preparation Plants

Carter Roag Coal Company                               Star Bridge Preparation Plant

Litwar Processing Company, LLC                       Litwar Preparation Plant

Peabody Coal Company                                    Big Mountain Preparation Plant

Eastern Associated Coal Corp.              Harris Preparation Plant

Mingo Logan Coal Company                              Cardinal Preparation Plant

Argus Energy WV                                              Wayne County River Terminal

Fola Coal Company                                           Peach Orchard Preparation Plant

West Virginia Mine Power Inc.                Midland Trail #1 Preparation Plant

ICG Eastern LLC                                                Birch River Preparation Plant

 Quarry Operations

US Silica                                                           Berkeley Springs

 Independent Contractors

Tyler Trucking Company LLC