On September 12, the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance announced the winners of its annual mine safety and reclamation awards.

Recognition is given for superior employee safety records and the completion of outstanding reclamation at coal mine sites throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

“Employee safety and environmental stewardship continue to be key priorities for all of our member companies,” said PCA Executive Director Rachel Gleason. “We congratulate the efforts our award winners and their continued dedication.”

The PCA Reclamation Awards highlight companies that exceed federal and state regulations to reclaim former mining operations into land with environmentally sound conditions and productive uses.

The winners of the Reclamation Awards were chosen in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Active and Abandoned Mine Operations using an evaluation process based on pre-mining condition, reclamation quality, the degree of difficulty and correction of environmental and safety hazards.

The Keystone Mine Safety Awards are presented to member companies to recognize outstanding safety records. The data is retrieved from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Reclamation Awards

-- Best Overall: Iron Senergy, Emerald Deep Mine (Greene County)

-- Large Project (75 acres +): RoxCoal, Inc, Kimberly Run Mine (Somerset County)

-- Medium Project (25 – 75 acres): PBS Coals, Lohr Mine (Somerset County)

Keystone Mine Safety Awards

-- Longwall: Consol Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, Harvey Mine (Greene County)- 630,857 man-hours, NFDL 0.63*

-- Large Surface Mine: Heritage Coal & Natural Resources, Mast Mine (Somerset County)- 157,455 man-hours, NFDL 0.00

-- Large Continuous Mine: Wilson Creek Energy LLC, Acosta Deep Mine (Somerset County) - 193,401 man-hours, NFDL 1.03

-- Small Continuous Mine: Rosebud Mining Company, Heilwood Mine (Indiana County) - 56,417 man-hours, NFDL 0.00

-- Small Surface Mine: Fisher Mining Company, Fisher Mining Operation (Lycoming County) - 51,238 man-hours, NFDL 0.00

Click Here for the complete announcement.

*NFDL: Nonfatal Days Lost

NewsClips:

-- PA Business Report: PA Coal Alliance Recognizes Companies For Safety, Reclamation

-- PennLive Guest Essay: America Urgently Needs More Young People To Work In Mines - By National Mining Association

-- Shenandoah Sentinel: Coal Refuse Bank Fire Near Wilburton, Columbia Being Extinguished, DEP Docs Say

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Pennsylvania Can Help Our Country Meet The Growing Demand For Rare-Earth Minerals - By Rep. Mike Armanini (R-Clearfield)  [Already Started With Federal Grants]

[Posted: September 14, 2023]

9/18/2023