Alpha Natural Resources recognised for safety and environmental excellence

Alpha Natural Resources and its associates recently received national and state recognition for mine safety performance, safety technology development and surface mine restoration, demonstrating the company’s commitment to safety and continual improvement.

Recent awards include:

• Two annual "Sentinels of Safety" awards given by the National Mining Association. Dickenson-Russell Coal's Roaring Fork No. 4 Mine won the Small Underground Coal category, and Omar Mining's Chesterfield Prep Plant won the Small Coal Processing Facility category. The award recognises the sites ranked among the safest mining industry facilities in the nation. This is the second time these companies have won a "Sentinels of Safety" award.
• The Mine Safety and Health Technology Innovations Award, given by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to companies that improve mine worker safety and health through technological innovation. Alpha, in partnership with Matrix Design Group, won the award for creating atmospheric monitoring sensors that detect air velocity, low-power methane and carbon monoxide. These sensors have improved detection of potentially harmful developments in the mine's ventilation network.
• Two Underground Safety Awards presented jointly by the Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing and the Kentucky Coal Association in recognition of top safety records. Enterprise Mining Company's 9A Mine was recognised for the best safety record in the Hazard District and Sidney Coal Company's M-3 Energy Mining's Mine No. 1 was selected for the best record in the Pikeville District.
• A 2013 Excellence in Reclamation Award, presented to Sidney Coal Company's Pegs Branch Surface Mine. The award, sponsored jointly by the Kentucky Department for Natural Resources and the Kentucky Coal Association, recognised the company for successfully establishing a beneficial post-mining land use of fish and wildlife habitat.

"These awards are examples of how our people live Alpha's commitment to Running Right by continually focussing on safety, striving for improvement and operating in an environmentally responsible manner," said Alpha President Paul Vining. "Safety is Alpha's first priority and embedded throughout our culture, which is why we are proud to celebrate these accomplishments."

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/mining/06112013/alpha_recognised_for_safety_and_environmental_excellence_233/