The West Virginia Coal Association and Geo/Environmental Associates, Inc. will lead a COAL REFUSE DISPOSAL FACILITY SEMINAR featuring Simplified Seismic Design on Friday, April 16, 2010 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, WV.  This seminar will provide an overview of the new requirements for seismic design in the MSHA Engineering and Design Manual for Coal Refuse Disposal Facilities which may intimidate the uninformed.  Eight (8) PDH hours will be awarded for this one-day seminar.  Presentations will be geared toward those who manage and build these structures so they can understand the new requirements and make informed decisions.  For more info, visit www.geoe.com or contact Carol Moore at 865-584-0344 Ext. 102 or clmoore@geoe.com.

America's future economic prosperity relies on the availability of affordable, domestic energy. Unfortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could soon impose a massive new global warming scheme on America's economy designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But you can stop them.

If you haven't already done so, please write your Senators today.

If EPA gets its way, American energy supplies could be severely constrained, leaving American families with massive new energy bills and American businesses buried under a mountain of bureaucratic red tape.

EPA could be stopped in its tracks by a bipartisan resolution (S.J. Res. 26) recently introduced by Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.).

By your urging your Senators to co-sponsor the bipartisan resolution you can help stop stop unelected EPA bureaucrats from ignoring the will of the American people.

ACT now and urge your Senators to co-sponsor S.J. Res. 26,please click here.
 
Thank you for your support.

Direct use of methane in coal liquefaction - Patent 4687570 
 
In a recent dispatch, we documented that Methane, as can be synthesized via Sabatier-type Carbon Dioxide recycling, or the Hydro, or Steam, Gasification of Coal, can, according to Exxon and collaborating researchers in Australia, be used to improve the conversion of Coal into liquid hydrocarbons.
 
Herein, we document that, not only does our United States Government know that Methane can improve the process of Coal Liquefaction, they own the rights to use it for that purpose.
 

 With over 1000 registered for the 37th Annual Mining Symposium it was the largest ever held.  A very special thanks to all of the speakers, sponsors and exhibitors for making this Symposium a huge success.  If you have suggestions or comments on making next year’s Symposium better please let us know.
           

We would like to congratulate all of the Mountaineer Guardian and Reclamation Award winners, listed below.  You may also access the photographs and presentations on our web site by going to:  www.wvcoal.com/symposium

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 on Thursday.
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.
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 listed below
 
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