Marfork Coal Co. LLC, an affiliate of Alpha Natural Resources (ANR Inc.), has been recognised for outstanding safety performance at its Coon Cedar Grove Mine with the awarding of the Sentinels of Safety, a national honour presented by the National Mining Association. Coon Cedar Grove won the honour for 2016 in the Small Underground Coal Group.
Alpha's Senior Vice President of Safety, Brian Keaton, said the achievement is indicative of Coon Cedar's, and in fact, the company's approach to safety. "Safety is paramount, it is our first objective, and to have the dedication of the Coon Cedar Grove workers be recognised with this prestigious national honour is gratifying."
Sentinels of Safety are awarded annually to the nation's safest mines. To qualify, mines must have a minimum of 4000 injury free hours. The Coon Cedar Grove mine, which is located in Raleigh County, had more than 48 000 injury-free hours in 2016 and is the fourth Alpha-affiliated operation to win the honour in the last decade.
The awards were initiated in 1925 by then-Commerce Secretary Herbert Hoover and remain the most prestigious awards recognising mine safety. Marfork Coal Co. President Charlie Bearse said: "Our workers live out their commitment to Running Right and we celebrate their achievements as they look out for the safety of one another."