Honours were extended in several classifications, including eight for the state’s underground mines.
Those winning awards for 2008 were International Coal Group’s Imperial mine; Eastern Associated Federal No. 2; Brooks Run Mining’s Cucumber and Poplar Ridge No. 1; Elk Run Coal’s Castle mine; the Aracoma Coal Hernshaw operation; Laurel Creek’s No. 1; and the Josephine complex operated by Pocahontas Coal.
In the preparation plant division, fifteen facilities were chosen for excellent safety ratings. ICG received three of the awards for its Beckley Group Sawmill Run Prep, Beckley Pocahontas facility, and its Eastern LLC division’s Birch River plant.
Other preparation crews highlighted included Kepler Coal’s No. 1; Mingo Logan Coal’s Cardinal plant; Pine Ridge Coal’s Big Mountain complex; Rockspring Development Camp Creek; Patriot Coal’s Harris plant; Brooks Run Erbacon; Kingston Resources’ Kingston Processing; Maple Coal’s Maple Prep and Peach Orchard operated by Fola Coal.
Surface and quarry awards were also given out at the luncheon ceremony, and regional firm Powell Construction took home top awards in the independent contractor classification.
Two final significant awards were given out at the Charleston Civic Center, the Bart B Lay Jr Milestones of Safety Award for surface mines and the Eustace Frederick Milestone of Safety Award for underground operations, the latter being a brand new distinction this year.
Taking the honour in surface safety was Phoenix Coal-MAC Mining’s Holden No. 22 mine, and inaugural Frederick honour went to Consolidation Coal’s Blacksville E2 complex.
