The election was made last week during the Association’s annual meeting in White Sulphur Springs.

Immediate past chairman is Gary White of James River Coal.

Alpha Natural Resources executive Kevin Crutchfield was tapped as first vice president , and Consol Energy’s Jimmy Brock is second vice president.

Arch Coal’s Charles Snavely will be secretary and Andrew Jordan of Pritchard Mining will take the treasurer’s seat with Patriot Coal’s Ben Hatfield as his assistant.

All terms are for the 2013-2014 year, ending with its meeting next August.

Bill Raney remains as WVCA president, and Chris Hamilton will stay on as senior vice president. Jason Bostic is vice president.

Serving three-year terms, the board of directors for WVCA will be general members Jim Bunn II (Coal River Energy), Crutchfield, Hatfield, Jordan, Dave Thomas (Alliance Coal), Dave Webb (Cliffs North America) and Gary White (James River Energy).

Associate members of the board include Nick Carter (Natural Resource Partners) and Chris Supcoe (Crown Hill Equipment) along with Wayne Thomas (Joy Mining Machinery).

Laurita said that stiff challenges remained for the mining industry both in the state and across the nation. However, he said the association was confident coal would continue to have a central place in the nation’s energy needs.

“There is no question, we are faced with some difficult challenges,” Laurita said.

“But our coal and the people who mine it are the best in the world.

“The rest of the world knows the value of coal – and of West Virginia coal specifically – and I firmly believe our future is what we make it.”