The theme for the symposium, being held at the Bluefield Holiday Inn, is “The Road to Zero Harm” to bring attention to the work the entire industry is doing to create a safe workplace for all miners.

“According to the National Mining Association mid-year coal production forecast, coal demand will reach a new record in 2008, despite a lagging domestic economy, with total demand for US coal expected to reach 1.218 billion tons,” said organiser the Bluefield Chamber of Commerce of coal’s current positive stance.

That, paired with the commitment of operators to safe practices, will make this year’s sessions on mining legislation and training, as well as mine safety and practical mining progress, all the more appropriate.

Some planned speakers and their presentations include Brett Harvey of Consol Energy, who will present “The Science and Culture of Safety”; MSHA’s Richard Stickler, discussing the MINER Act of 2006; NIOSH’s Dr Jeffery Kohler, giving the keynote “The Road to Zero Harm”; Jim Roberts of Foundation Coal with the keynote “The View in Washington”; Mike Quillen of Alpha Natural Resources presenting “Coal Market Dynamics”; and Patriot Coal’s Rick Whiting, who will speak at the event’s traditional luncheon.

Other presentations that will be part of the technical sessions include “A Statistical Analysis of Coal Mining Accidents” (NIOSH); “Eliminating Mining Accidents” (John Gallick, Foundation Coal); “Communication and Tracking Initiatives” (David Snyder, NIOSH); “Coal Mine Sealing Strategies” (John Feddock, Marshall Miller & Associates); “Emergency Underground Mine Shelters” (Eric Bauer, NIOSH); and “Progress in Mine Rescue Work” (Kenny Murray, MSHA).

Speakers from equipment producers Bucyrus, Joy, Caterpillar and Komatsu will also make up an entire session with presentations on the progress that each original equipment manufacturer is making on equipment design for mine safety.

The following day, representatives from the coal and mining associations of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia will take the stage to discuss current plans, progress and the outlook within their state lines.

In the final afternoon of the symposium, several safety experts from the nation's largest producers will go over observations, practices and plans for miner safety initiatives at their mines.

Those presentations include “Safety with a Double T” (Elizabeth Chamberlin, Massey Energy); “Safety Observations at Alpha Natural Resources” (Allen Dupree); “Making Absolute Zero Safety Happen” (Lou Barletta Jr, Consol Energy); and “Progress with Mine Safety at Patriot” by a company spokesperson.