CHARLESTON, W.Va. ─ 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 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,” WVCA President Chris Hamilton said. “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.”
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 LLC Coal Branch #1 Mine
- Rockwell Mining LLC 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 ACI Tygart Valley Leer Mine
- Mettiki Coal WV LLC – Mettiki E Mine
- American Consolidated Natural Resources Harrison County Mine
- Greenbrier Minerals LLC Muddy Bridge Mine
- Spartan Mining Co. LLC Road Fork #52 Mine
- Aracoma Coal Co. Cedar Grove #2 Mine
- CONSOL Mining Company LLC Itmann #5 Mine
- Raw Coal Mining Co. Inc. Sewell R Mine
Surface Operations:
- Appalachian Resources WV, LLC Grapevine East Mine
- Cornerstone Labor Services Inc. Coal Mountain #1 Mine
- Greenbrier Minerals LLC Toney Fork Mine
- White Forest Resources South Fork Coal Co. Blue Knob Mine
- Republic Energy LLC Workman Creek/Collins Fork Mine
- Coal-Mac LLC Twin Branch Mine
- Pocahontas Coal Co. Pocahontas Mine
- LP Mineral LLC Ralph Six Mine
- Ed Coal Inc. Skinned Poplar Mine
- Onyx Energy LLC Jupiter Mine
- Ramaco Resources LLC Ram #1 Mine
- Blackhawk Mining, Panther Creek Samples Mine
Prep Plants/Loadouts:
- Arch Resources ACI 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 LLC Elklick Loadout
- Greenbrier Minerals LLC Saunders Prep Plant
- Onyx Energy LLC Olan Processing Plant
- Cleveland Cliffs Princeton Eckman Loadout
- Performance Industries Inc. Coal Mt. Loadout
- Raven Crest Contracting LLC Bull Creek Prep Plant and Refuse
- Spartan Mining Mammoth Plant
- Carter Roag Coal Co. 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. LLC
- Webster Trucking
Special Recognition Award: Elk Run Coal Company, LLC 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.”
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 presented during the April 19 Awards Luncheon 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
Marion County,
WV Underground Mine Award: Arch Resources, Wolf Run Mining, Sycamore No. 2 Deep Mine
Harrison County, WV
Coal Refuse Facility Award: Arch Resources, ICG Eastern, North Point Fine Coal Refuse Slurry Impoundment, Webster County, WV
Surface Mine Awards:
- Blackhawk Mining, Panther Creek Mining, Sycamore South / Laurel Branch Valley Fill
Fayette County, WV - Blackhawk Mining, Rockwell Mining, Huff Creek Haulroad
Boone & Wyoming Counties, WV
- Cleveland Cliffs Princeton, Mid-Vol Coal Sales, Red Hawk Surface Mine
McDowell County, WV - Metinvest-United Coal Company, Pocahontas Coal Company, Devil’s Fork No. 2 Highwall Mine Raleigh & Wyoming Counties, WV
- Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Black Castle Mining, Checkmate Surface Mine
Boone County, WV
For additional information, contact Chris Hamilton at (304) 342-4153.