Murray Energy Corp. with Michael Carey as its representative and Robert Murray as their alternate has joined the general membership of WVCA, along with New Trinity Coal Inc. with Steve Tweedy as it representative.

New Associate Members who have been approved for membership include Nalco, an Ecolab Company with Danny Bess as their representative and Norris Screen & Manufacturing, LLC with Tim Lilly, President and Danny Elliott, Director of Sales.

Welcome to all of the new members and we look forward to working with you in the coming months and years.

Forty-two West Virginia mining operations were recognized by the industry for their safety efforts in 2013 at Thursday’s Mountaineer Guardian Awards luncheon, with Phoenix Coal-Mac’s Holden 22 Surface Mine in Logan County taking the Bart B. Lay Milestones in Safety Award and Rockspring Development’s Camp Creek No. 1 in Wayne County and Mingo-Logan’s Mountaineer II mine in Logan County sharing the Eustace E. Frederick Milestones in Safety Award.

Murray, Thrasher, Manchin, Morrisey, Headline the Event

While closing out the Association’s 2014 three-day Annual Mining Symposium, WVCA Chairman, Jim Laurita, deemed the event a success.  Recognizing and thanking the 58 speakers, the vendors and associate members who proudly displayed their products, luncheon sponsors and the 700 mining professionals who were on hand to hear the state’s political and industry leaders talk about the state of the coal industry, Laurita observed that the individuals on hand represented all disciplines within the industry (i.e., operations, safety, technical) and the basic fabric of our industry.

In a keynote address to the Association’s 41^st Annual Symposium held January 29-31 in Charleston, Robert “Bob” Murray, the founder, president, chairman & CEO of Murray Energy Corp., talked about the threats and opportunities he sees ahead for West Virginia’s and America’s coal industry in the future.

Arch Coal’s Leer Mining Complex Claims Greenlands Award; Brooks Run Mining Co., LLC’s Seven Pines Surface Mine Complex Receives West Virginia Society of American Foresters Reforestation Award

CHARLESTON – Arch Coal, Inc. and its Leer Mining Complex in Taylor County claimed the state’s top award for environmental stewardship –The Greenlands Award – at the West Virginia Coal Association’s 41^st Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium held January 29-31^st in Charleston.

Thirteen other companies were also recognized for their commitment to the environment at the Symposium, one of the nation’s top coal industry events.

Awards presented during 41st Annual Mining Symposium in Charleston

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Forty-two West Virginia mining operations have been recognized by the industry for their safety efforts in 2013. The awards were announced on January 30^th during the West Virginia Coal Association’s 41^st Annual Mining Symposium in Charleston.

“Our members are committed to doing everything possible to ensure our coal miners return home safely at the end of their shifts each day,” said West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney. “Each and every one of our companies work hard every day to meet the highest standards of workplace safety.”