McCoy Elkhorn Bevins Branch preparation plant earned the honor, one of several given out annually by the US Mine Safety and Health Administration and the National Mining Association, in the category of large processing facilities.
The Pike County plant worked 142,000 man-hours last year without a lost-time accident.
“In 2009 Bevin's Branch was awarded second place and our employees have worked very hard to achieve the award for first place,” chief operating officer C K Lane said.
“At James River we are continually striving to make safety our number one priority.”
James River’s eight operating subsidiaries are located in Kentucky, West Virginia and southern Indiana.
