September in the Appalachian region’s mining industry is shaping up to be a busy month between two events that draw respectable audiences each year, the Bluefield Coal and Mining Show in Bluefield, W. Va., and the International Mines Rescue Competition being held in nearby Beaver.
The International Mines Rescue Competition (IMRC), hosted by the Homes Mine Rescue Association (HMRA), will convene from September 11-16 at the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) Mine Health and Safety Academy. Contests in a number of areas, from firefighting to first aid and skills tests, will be held in the school’s classrooms and at local sites in Beaver and neighboring Beckley.
A closing ceremony with the 25 mine rescue teams scheduled to compete will be held to wrap up the event on Sept. 16 at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. Of the teams, according to organizers, five are U.S. teams and 20 will attend from other home countries.
Registrations are still open for vendor booths at the event. More information on that or to view a full schedule of events, visit imrc2020.com.
Also still accepting booth reservations: The Chamber of Commerce of the Two Virginias, organizers of the Bluefield Coal and Mining Show being held September 14-16 at the Brushfork Armory in Bluefield, W. Va.
The 24th biennial event is set to welcome more than 150 exhibitors from 21 U.S. states along with Canada and Poland.
Following a media and exhibitor breakfast the official start of the event will be 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14. The show for that day will close at 6 p.m. The following day has the same hours, and Friday, Sept. 16, the show will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For those attending the show as guests and attendees, parking will be available at Mitchell Stadium (1780 Stadium Dr., Bluefield) with shuttle buses running all day on a continuous basis through all three days of the event. The chamber reminds guests that no on-site parking will be available at the armory, and directional signage to the stadium will be available.
Plans are still in process for a special night of entertainment. An auction and raffle are among the highlights of the night.
More information on registration, booth reservations or advertising is available at www.coctwovirginias.com.
Keep watching Miners News for more information on the International Mines Rescue Competition and Bluefield Coal and Mining Show.
Sources: imrc2020.com and coctwovirginias.com