Three of Patriot’s preparation plants collected the award, presented each year by the WVCA and the Mine Health and Safety Authority to operations that demonstrate a strong commitment to safety.

The Fanco prep plant and loadout at the Logan County complex, the Coal Clean plant at the Panther complex, and the Rocklick plant at the Rocklick complex received the awards.

"The safety of our employees is our highest priority,” Patriot president and CEO Bennett Hatfield said in a statement.

“Our comprehensive safety program is designed to promote a safe workplace with the goal of zero accidents every shift of every day.”

“We are pleased that the success at these three operations is being recognized with Mountaineer Guardian Safety Awards,” he added.

Alpha Natural Resources and McElroy Coal took out the top honors.

Earning the Bart B Lay Milestones of Safety Award for its safety efforts over the past calendar year was the crew of Elk Run Coal’s Republic Energy complex. Elk Run was a former affiliate of Massey Energy and is now controlled by Alpha Natural Resources.

McElroy Coal’s McElroy operation in northern West Virginia was honored with the Eustace Frederick Milestones of Safety Award.

McElroy, which consistently ranks among the nation’s most productive mines, is controlled by Consol Energy.

Patriot also announced that its Guyan surface mine at the Logan County complex received a reclamation award from the West Viriginia Department of Environmental Protection.

"We are delighted to once again be recognized for outstanding reclamation at the Guyan surface mine,” Hatfield said.

“This is the eighth reclamation award the Guyan Mine has received over the last five years."

Patriot operates 11 mines in the eastern United States, controlling approximately 1.8 billion tonnes of coal reserves.