The competition, which attracted more than a dozen mine rescue teams earlier this month at the campus of Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands, Virginia, was cosponsored by the Virginia Mining Association, Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and the US Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Jewell’s Black Team won the Governor’s Cup. In second was Dickenson-Russell Coal’s A-Team.

Earning third place was Lone Mountain Processing’s Lone Mountain team.

“The teams were judged on their thoroughness in recording mine conditions on a map as they advanced into the ‘mine’ and their ability to identify and respond to hazards that could endanger the team or trapped miners,” organizers said.

Participating teams also included crews from Consol Energy, Alpha Natural Resources, Maxxim Shared Services, TECO Coal, Wellmore Coal and Virginia Small Operator Mine Rescue.

DMME Director Conrad Spangler presented trophies to the top three winning teams.

“Mine rescue contests present an excellent opportunity for rescue teams to practice their skills in a competitive environment, working against the clock,” Spangler said.

“Practice and dedication make the difference if and when these teams are called out in an emergency to help other miners.”

DMME and MSHA staff judged the competition.