Taking the top honor for safety through 2011 – the Eustace E Frederick milestones of safety award – was Consol’s Robinson Run operation.

Receiving the Bart B Lay Jr milestones of safety award was Fola Coal’s Surface Mine No 1.

Consol Energy division Consol of Kentucky received two more recognitions for the Peg Fork surface mine and the MT-41 operation.

Fola Coal also received a second honor, which went to its Peach Orchard preparation plant crew.

The awards ceremony was held on February 2 at the 29th annual WVCA symposium at which its sponsors, the state Department of Environmental Protection, also handed out its annual environmental recognition – the 2011 Reclamation awards.

The top honor, the Greenlands award, was bestowed to Arch Coal’s Coal-Mac Phoenix 3.

In total, Arch mines received seven awards.

One, a reclamation honor, went to Mingo Logan Coal’s Mountain Laurel complex for exceptional environmental care regarding its conveyor extension at the Daniel Hollow coarse refuse handling facility.

“By using innovative drainage and material handling design, Mountain Laurel installed a refuse conveyor system that allows environmentally sound and cost-effective fill construction,” the company said.

Alpha Natural Resources received six Mountaineer Guardians, including Alex Energy for the Edwight surface mine; Green Valley Coal for the Green Valley processing plant; Rockspring Development for Camp Creek No. 1; Simmons Fork Mining for the Ewing Fork No. 1 mine; Spartan Mining for the Hatfield Energy mine; and White Flame Energy for mine No.10.

“This is a great honor,” Alpha senior vice president of CAPP North Mark Schuerger said.

“We strive to put safety first in everything we do, so to be recognized for the effects of those efforts is very rewarding.

“These awards are a real pat on the back for the miners and everything they do on the job every day to operate safely.”

Patriot Coal also commented on the awarding of a Mountaineer Guardian to its Panther complex, calling the maintenance of a strong safety environment a “top operational priority” at its mines.

“Receiving at least one Mountaineer Guardian safety award each year for nine consecutive years attests to the effectiveness of Patriot's safety efforts and training," company president and chief executive officer Richard Whiting said.

“I thank our employees at the Panther complex for incorporating safety into their day-to-day routines.”