The three said the funding from the US Mine Safety and Health Administration totalled $US563,256 and would be used for health and safety training as well as education programs for miners, mine operators and contractors across the state.

“Making sure miners get the training they need to stay safe on the job is absolutely critical,” Rockefeller said.

“This funding is part of that effort.”

He spotlighted the ongoing work he has been doing with the US Congress to pass a comprehensive reform of mine safety laws that would toughen regulations across the industry.

Manchin said West Virginia miners had long done the “heavy lifting” that built the nation.

“The safety of our workers is our number one priority, and the funds for these training programs are a critical part of making sure that every person who gets up to work in a mine in the morning can expect to come home safely to their loved ones at night,” he said.

Mine safety, Rahall said, hinged upon the continuous commitment by all levels of mining as well as the training, equipment and leadership needed to promote safer conditions.

“These funds are part of the ongoing federal commitment to provide our miners with the safety skills and know-how essential to their protection,” he said.

A request for comment from the state Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training on the specifics of its plans for the earmark was not returned by press time.