“Marketing Coal to America” will be the luncheon presentation on the second day of the three-day event, shared by Consol Energy operations vice-president Ronald Stovash.

The topic of proximity protection will also take centre stage at the symposium, with Mine Safety and Health Administration mining engineer Juliette Hill speaking on “Underground Machinery Crushing and Pinning Type Accidents – Potential Proximity Saves” during the same day’s Mine Safety and Training Session at the Bluefield Holiday Inn.

Following Hill will be MSHA colleague Mark Skiles, who will add to the subject’s discussions with “Making Underground Mining Machinery Safer with Proximity Protection”. New WV Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training director Ron Wooten will also take the podium during Thursday’s sessions for “West Virginia Perspective”

On Friday, the event’s final day, the Mining Legislation and Training session features a full slate of presenters, the chamber said. National Mining Association (NMA) senior vice-president Dan Gerkin, West Virginia Coal Association (WVCA) president Bill Rainey, Kentucky Coal Association (KCA) president Bill Caylor and Virginia Coal Association (VCA) president Tommy Hudson are all planning to share their insights with attendees.

Marshall Miller and Associates senior vice-president John Feddock will also be a part of that final session, speaking on “Retreat Mining Practices: Can Additional Training Improve Safety? An Update”

Registration interest is still being accepted by the Bluefield Chamber. Visit www.bluefieldchamber.com or call (304) 327-8184 for more information.