The newly developed national program recognizes American miners who work safely on the job. The first “professional miner” group was unveiled at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beckley, West Virginia, last Thursday.
The miners were awarded two different levels - platinum for five years with no accidents and gold for three years with no accidents.
Miners recognized included J. Steve Potter, Elaine Haussecker, Stephen Bolling, Lilliam G. Vergara, Justin Ellis, Joseph Krause, Eric Kechejian, Michael Carpenter, James Patsey and John Riggi.
Among the coal recipients were shuttle car operator John Riggi, RAG Cumberland, Pennsylvania with a gold award, shuttle car operator Michael Carpenter, Elk Run Coal Company, West Virginia with a platinum award, and fireboss James Patsey, Pin Oak Resources, West Virginia with a platinum award.
