The Wiley mine’s record is an impressive 25 years old; the last lost-time accident at the mine was recorded in December 1986.

The first million hours was marked in September 1991 and the second million was recorded in 2001. The three-million-hour mark was achieved this past March.

The 50 employees of the mine in Mingo County were honored during a recent awards ceremony in Logan County. Six original team members were presented with commemorative hard hats. State and federal officials also attended the event to recognize the mine’s crew.

"If you have a safe environment and safe people and you put them together, this is what happens," Consol chief operating officer of energy operations Bart Hyita said, adding that the keys to safety included communication and teamwork.

The Wiley surface mine is part of the Miller Creek Complex, which is operated by Consol Energy subsidiary Consol of Kentucky.

The operation, which produces steam coal and prepares it at the company’s Miller Creek preparation facility, produced 560,302 tons last year.

Consol’s R E Bailey Safety Award was established in 1977 to recognize its operations as they recorded one million hours without a lost-time accident.

Wiley is the last operation to receive the honor, as it has been retired and replaced by the J Brett Harvey Safety Award.