Washington, D.C. – Twenty American mining operations were recognized today for outstanding safety records in 2012. National Mining Association (NMA), conferred its annual “Sentinels of Safety” awards on both metal/nonmetal and coal surface and underground mining operations).
The “Sentinels of Safety,” awarded annually to the nation’s safest mining operations with a minimum of 4,000 injury-free hours, was given to six coal and 14 metal and nonmetal mining operations. Mines compete in 20 different categories that reflect type and size, both surface and underground.
“Tonight we are here to recognize the best-of-the-best. To honor those among us whose commitment to their own safety – and to those around them – has resulted in a level of performance achieved by only 20 mining operations across the country,” said NMA President and CEO Hal Quinn.
In addition, the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, awarded Mine Safety and Health Technology Innovations Awards to three NMA member companies, Hecla Mining Company, Alpha Natural Resources and Matrix Design Group. At the ceremony, Dr. Jeffery Kohler, NIOSH associate director of mining, said: “The NIOSH Technology Innovation Awards recognize the significant advancements that the mining industry is making — above and beyond minimum regulatory requirements. Hecla and SAFEmine Technology’s success in deploying a collision avoidance system is a great example of adapting a technology used in aviation and applying it to improve mining safety. Alpha and Matrix’s development of an approved sensor bundle for atmospheric monitoring systems in underground coal mines opens up new and important opportunities to improve day-to-day safety, as well as post-accident functionality.”
The awards were presented at a dinner sponsored by Atlas Copco, Draeger, Freeport-McMoRan and Nelson Brothers.
Sentinels of Safety
Large Company Award Winners (by category):
Bank or Pit
School House Quartz Plant
Unimin Corporation
Coal Processing Facility
Kentucky River Loading
ACI/ICG Hazard, LLC
Arch Coal, Inc.
Dredge
Megasand Enterprises Inc.
Megasand Enterprises Inc.
Metal/Nonmetal Mill
Bloomfield Plant
Nestle Purina PetCare
Open Pit
Keetac
United States Steel Corporation
Quarry
Chico Quarry
Martin Marietta Materials
Surface Coal
Buckskin Mine
Kiewit Mining Group Inc.
Underground Coal
SUFCO Mine
Canyon Fuel Co.
Bowie Resource Partners, LLC
Underground Metal
Buick Mine/Mill
The Doe Run Company
Underground Nonmetal
Pleasant Gap
Graymont (PA) Inc.
Small Company Award Winners (by category):
Bank or Pit
Fisher Industries Plant 6
Fisher Sand & Gravel Co.
Coal Processing Facility
Chesterfield Prep Plant
Omar Mining Co.
Alpha Natural Resources
Dredge
Newark Pit
Broadfoot Sand & Gravel Co., Inc.
Metal/Nonmetal Mill
Santa Rita Plant
Imerys Marble Inc.
Open Pit
Nichols Road Pit
Pacific Aggregates Inc.
Quarry
Laurel Quarry
Hanson Aggregates Midwest, LLC.
Surface Coal
Logan Hollow #1
Alden Resources LLC
Underground Coal
Roaring Fork No. 4
Dickenson-Russell Coal Co. LLC
Alpha Natural Resources
Underground Metal
Viburnum #29 Mine
The Doe Run Company
Underground Nonmetal
Crab Orchard Mine & Mill
Lhoist North America, Inc.