The awards are presented each year by the WVCA and the Mine Health and Safety Authority to operations demonstrating a strong commitment to safety.

The following Alpha-affiliated operations received the Mountaineer Guardian award:

Underground Operations

Brooks Run Mining Company, LLC, for the Cucumber Mine

Brooks Run Mining Company, LLC, for the Saylor B Mine

White Buck Coal Company for the Grassy Creek No. 1 Mine

White Buck Coal Company for the Hominy Creek Mine

Mammoth Coal Company for the Slabcamp Mine

Preparation Plant

Litwar Processing Company, LLC for the Litwar Processing Plant

Surface Operations

Highland Mining Company for the Reylas Surface Mine (Highland Mine)

White Flame Energy, Inc. for the Superior Surface Mine

Simmons Fork Mining, Inc. for the Ewing Fork No. 1 Mine (Pax Surface Mine)

As previously reported, Alpha’s crew at Elk Run Coal’s Republic Energy complex won the prestigious Bart B Lay Milestones of Safety Award.

The award is presented to the most outstanding surface mine in the state of West Virginia for its safety efforts over the past calendar year.

Alpha president Paul Vining said: "We congratulate our people and operations for their accomplishments in 2012.

“We are proud of our miners and the work they do every day. These awards underline how important safety is to Alpha and our culture."