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The Kentucky plant, which employs 35, earned the recognition of both state and federal industry leaders during a ceremony last week. US Mine Safety and Health officials also bestowed an award to the crew for its achievement.
“This is living proof that a safe operation is a productive operation,” vice president of operations Kenny Murray said.
“We feel like the coal industry is safer than ever and this record certainly is proof of that.”
Over the 11 accident-free years, the Dotiki facility has processed about 65 million tons of coal. The western Kentucky plant has been operating in Clay, Webster County, since 1967.
MSHA District 10 mine inspector Joe Fritz said: “This mine has touched every single person in western Kentucky over the years in some way, either through its employees and families as well as other businesses in the area.
“Dotiki is a model of growth and safety for all Alliance mines. I’ve searched through records of the entire coal industry and I can’t find a safety record that comes close to matching this.”
According to the local newspaper the Journal Enterprise, on hand for the honors, Kentucky State Office of Mine Safety and Licensing executive director Freddie Lewis delivered a rousing speech to the Dotiki crew.
“You’re the kind of people that keep this nation running, despite the hit that the coal industry has taken over the past four years,” he said.
“You realize that this is a hazardous and dangerous job, but you have stayed focused on yourself and the safety of others and then on production. You’re honest, hard-working men and your record speaks for itself … I hope to come back when you stretch this record to 12, 13 even 15 years.”
According to Alliance data, the Dotiki mine – which, along with the preparation plant, is operated by subsidiary Webster County Coal – produced 3.6 million tons in 2011. It had 51.9Mt of reserves at the end of last year.
The company opened the doors to a new Dotiki preparation plant, with a throughput capacity of 1800 tons of raw coal an hour, earlier this year.
