The Longwall USA Top Performers Awards are awarded by USA industry publication, Coal Age, which reportedly closed down after the conference.
Award recipients are selected based on average raw daily production, total raw production, and safety considerations.
In the Low Seam Division (72 inches and less), Consol’s McElroy mine in West Virginia took the Longwall USA Top Performers Award. In 2001, McElroy produced 8,410,000 raw tons from a single longwall face, working 262 days. The accident incidence rate was 3.69. In 2002, McElroy produced 6,512,000 raw tons from a single longwall face, working 197 days. The incidence rate was 3.08.
The Medium Seam Division (73 to 95 inches), award went to Consol’s Blacksville No 2 mine also in West Virginia.
The High Seam Division award (96 inches and greater) went to Mountain Coal’s West Elk operation in Colorado.
