“This program will help focus some of the country's best minds on identifying new technologies and practices for the next generation of coal mining safety," Arch Coal chairman and chief executive Steven F Leer said.
“As a longstanding supporter of mine safety initiatives, we're pleased to provide financial backing to the academic community to help discover and deploy cutting-edge technologies that will advance the coal industry and its safety practices."
In September, Marshall University Center for Environmental, Geotechnical & Applied Sciences was awarded a $2 million grant from the US Economic Development Administration – as well as $1 million from the state of West Virginia – to develop the program.
The Arch Coal Foundation was formed in December 2005 to support organisations that engage in improving the quality of life in the communities within which Arch Coal operates.
