Dunbar, a WVU graduate who serves as Arch Coal’s project acquisitions manager, has worked both underground and at the surface at mines in four US states.

He was recognised on September 18 at WVU’s Morgantown campus.

Dunbar was the keynote speaker for the William N Poundstone Lecture Series, where he offered a presentation entitled “New and Continuing Challenges for the Coal Industry – the Engineer's View”

Arch business development and strategy vice president Jeff Strobel said Dunbar had been a valued member of the company since 2011.

“We congratulate Chuck on this well-deserved honor, and we appreciate WVU's commitment to recognising those individuals who have made significant contributions to the mining industry throughout their careers,” he said.

Dunbar said his selection to present in the lecture series was an honor.

“The roster of previous honorees is a ‘who's who’ of coal, and I am humbled to be included,” he said.

“The coal industry has been good to me and my family, and I appreciate the opportunity to share my experiences with others.”