West Virginia University men's basketball coach Bob Huggins was thrilled to receive $5000 the miners raised for Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Endowment.

It was the result of Consol’s Working Safely For A Cause program, which gives each participating mine a donation towards their philanthropic cause of choice for each quarter worked without injury.

As a result, Consol’s northern West Virginia mines – Blacksville No. 2 in Monongalia County, and Loveridge and Robinson Run in Marion County – have raised more than $50,000 for charity in the past year.

Senior vice-president of northern West Virginia operations Chuck Shaynak said the program was a win-win and built camaraderie between workers.

"Each day, we have employees working in our coal operations wearing hard hats decaled with the 'Flying WV', he said.

“On behalf of them and the company-wide Mountaineer fan base, we are extremely grateful that coach Huggins was able to make this special visit," he said.

The $5000 for the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Fund will directly contribute to the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Research Center at West Virginia University Hospital in Morgantown.

"Many thanks to the great people at CONSOL Energy's Robinson Run midnight shift for their generous donation to the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Endowment,” Huggins said.

“We had a great time interacting with West Virginia's finest. Thanks again for your support!"

Robinson Run has recorded just two fatalities.

The most recent was the tragic November embankment collapse that led to the death of dozer operator Markel Koon, 58, whose machine tumbled into a deep slurry pond.