By Taylor Kuykendall, Reporter - email

Though the coal industry may face a tougher crowd at the federal level, West Virginia officials are embracing the industry.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Senate President Jeff Kessler both talked up their dedication to coal at the West Virginia Coal Association's symposium Thursday.

"Coal has been the backbone of our economy for 100 years and will continue to for many years to come, to be an important of our economy in West Virginia," Tomblin said, thanking the industry representatives for their roles in the state's success.

Fola Coal Mine No. 1 wins the Barton B. Lay Milestones of Safety Award

Consol’s Robinson Run No. 95 wins the Eustace Frederick Award.

CHARLESTON -- Mine safety is a central focus of West Virginia’s coal industry. At Thursday’s session of the 39th Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium in Charleston, 32 mining and service companies were recognized for their commitment to workplace safety in 2011.

Topping the list of award winners were Fola Coal Company’s Surface Mine No. 1 in Clay County, that took home the Barton B. Lay Milestones of Safety Award and Consol’s Robinson Run No. 95 in Marion County that took home the Eustace Frederick Award.

The Associated Press

Herald-Dispatch.com

CHARLESTON — The coal industry is in an era of change that industry leaders and regulators are discussing at the West Virginia Coal Association's annual mining symposium in Charleston.

The head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration will tell operators what to expect in 2012 on Thursday, while Virginia's Alpha Natural Resources will talk about its own initiatives.

Alpha bought Massey Energy last summer and has agreed to a federal settlement that could lead to new safety and technology programs.

The deal stemmed from the 2010 explosion of the Upper Big Branch mine.

By VICKI SMITH
Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Coal operators across the country are changing the way they work, and mines are becoming safer, but the head of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration said Thursday there are still too many who "don't get it."

In a speech at the West Virginia Coal Association's annual mining symposium, MSHA chief Joe Main said his inspectors can't be in every mine at every shift, and companies need to take more responsibility for running coal safely. Those who don't, he warned, can expect to face tough penalties.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Coal operators should be more cautious about talking to government mine safety investigators to avoid being ensnared in increased criminal prosecutions in the wake of the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster, according to the lawyer who defended a former Massey Energy security director convicted of lying in the disaster probe.

Former U.S. Attorney Bill Wilmoth told mining industry officials they should more strongly consider asserting their Fifth Amendment rights when called to answer questions by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration's investigation teams.