During the West Virginia Mining Symposium, which took place March 26-27 in Charleston alongside the West Virginia Coal Show, the West Virginia Coal Association recognized and celebrated exemplary mine safety and environmental excellence achievements of mining industry operations across the state.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety & Training co-sponsor this special mining awards program.
SAFETY AWARDS
“Safety always has been and continues to be our top priority in the coal industry,” said West Virginia Coal Association President Chris Hamilton. “2023 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 nominate the winners. WVOMHST Director Frank Foster presented the awards.
The 2023 Governor’s Milestones of Safety Awards presented during the event include:
Best of Class Statewide Awards
- Eustace E. Frederick Award for underground coal mines:
- Arch Resources, ACI Tygart Valley, Leer Mine
- Arch Resources, Wolf Run Mining LLC, Leer South
- Bart B. Lay Jr. Award for surface coal mines:
- United Coal, Pocahontas Coal Company LLC, Wyco Surface Mine
- Coal-Mac LLC, Painted Rock Surface
Mountaineer Guardian Awards were presented to the following mining operations:
Underground Operations
- Alliance Coal, Mettiki Coal WV LLC, Mettiki E Mine
- Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Nicholas Contura LLC, Rolling Thunder
- Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Aracoma Coal Company, Cedar Grove Mine 3
- American Consolidated Natural Resources, Harrison County Coal Resources, Harrison County Coal
- Arch Resources, Mingo Logan Coal LLC, Mountaineer II Mine
- Blackhawk Mining, Panther Creek Mining, American Eagle Mine
- Blackhawk Mining, Kanawha Eagle Mining LLC, Coalburg #1
- Blackhawk Mining, Kanawha Eagle Mining LLC, Eagle Mine
- Coronado, Greenbrier Minerals LLC, Eagle No. 1 Mine
- Ramaco Resources, Triad #2
- Ramaco Resources, Stonecoal Branch Mine #2
- Ramaco Resources, Eagle Seam Deep Mine
- Ramaco Resources, Michael Powellton Deep Mine
- Ramaco Resources, Berwind Deep Mine
- RS Mining Inc, Caretta #3 Mine
- Southern Minerals LLC, Sally Ann Coal Company, Mine #1
- United Coal, Pocahontas Coal Company, Affinity Mine
Surface Operations:
- Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Republic Energy LLC, Workman Creek/Collins Fork
- Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Nicholas Contura LLC, Bishop Surface
- Contour Highwall Mining LLC, Bundy Auger Mining Inc., SHM 06 Highwall Mine
- Coronado, Greenbrier Minerals LLC, Elklick Surface Mine
- Eagle Forge Services, Sundial Mining LLC, Edwight Surface Mine
- LP Mineral LLC, Ralph Six
- Ramaco Resources, Ram Surface Mine #1
- Ramaco Resources, Maben Surface Mine
- United Coal, Pocahontas Coal Company LLC, Tommy Creek Highwall
Prep Plants/Loadouts:
- Alliance Coal, Tunnel Ridge LLC, Tunnel Ridge Prep Plant
- Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Bandmill Coal LLC, Rum Creek Prep Plant
- Alpha Metallurgical Resources, Kingston Processing Inc., Kingston Plant
- Appalachian Resource Company, Tug Fork Prep Plant
- Arch Resources, ACI Tygart Valley, Leer Prep Plant
- Arch Resources, Wolf Run Mining LLC, Leer South Prep Plant
- Arch Resources, Mingo Logan Coal LLC, Cardinal Prep Plant
- Cleveland Cliffs, Prime Processing Inc., Roadfork Loadout
- Coal-Mac, Screaming Eagle Coal LLC, Peach Orchard Plant
- Coal-Mac, No. 22 Prep Plant
- Cornerstone, Onyx Energy LLC, Olan Processing Plant
- Coronado, Greenbrier Minerals LLC, Saunders Prep Plant
- Ramaco Resources, Elk Creek Preparation Plant
Quarries:
- Ace Aggregates LLC, Rose Holdings LLC, Philippi Quarry
- Appalachian Aggregates LLC, Kelly Mountain Quarry
- Appalachian Aggregates LLC, Mercer Stone
- Appalachian Aggregates LLC, Beckley Quarry
- East River Aggregates, Mercer Plant
- JF Allen Co., Mashey Gap Quarry
Independent Contractors
- Boyd Company
- Coal-Mac, Coal-Mac Reclamation
- Compliance Staffing Agency, dba Jennmar Services
- Jennmar
- Long Run Transportation
- Preston Contractors
“West Virginia’s coal industry continues to show its resilience and commitment to excellence across the board,” 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.”
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 creative, responsible reclamation in West Virginia.”
Inspectors with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) selected the winners, and DEP’s Mining & Reclamation Director Jonathan Rorrer handed out the awards.
The Environmental Excellence awards presented during the event include:
The top award – the Greenlands Award, went to Arch Resources’ Wolf Run Mining Company LLC, Leer South Complex and Allegheny Metallurgical’s Century Mine Complex.
The Special Community Recovery Award was presented to Blackhawk Mining’s Kanawha Eagle Mining LLC and the Community Involvement Award was presented to Arch Resources’ Wolf Run Mining Company LLC.
Other reclamation award winners include:
Drainage Structures/Water Management Award
Arch Resources, ICG Tygart Valley LLC, Leer Mine Complex, U200406, O201706
Haul Road Construction Award
Blackhawk Mining, Rockwell Mining LLC, Pond Fork 2 Gas Haul Road, U500112
Prep Plant & Loadout Reclamation Award
Cleveland Cliffs, Mid-Vol Coal Sales Inc., No. 8 Loadout, O000384
Underground Mine Reclamation Awards
ACNR, WV Land Resources Inc.
Blacksville No. 1 Mine, U004584
AMR, Elk Run Coal Company, Queen and Black Queen, U066300
Surface Mine Reclamation Award
AMR, Republic Energy LLC, Workman Creek Middle Ridge Surface Mine, S301712
Valley Fill Construction Award
AMR, Republic Energy LLC, Kingston North Surface Mine, S300215