Sponsored by the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, along with the West Virginia Coal Association (WVCA), Kentucky Coal Association (KCA), Virginia Coal Association (VCA), Kanawha Valley Mining Institute, Pocahontas Coal Association, Tug Valley Mining Institute and industry publication Coal News, the three-day event will be held at Holiday Inn Bluefield.

In the years not taken by the area’s hosting of the coal show, a Coal Rally is held instead. This year, however, “…in view of the tragic coal mining accidents earlier this year, the rally has been extended to become the Bluefield Coal Symposium,” the chamber said in its announcement.

Several sessions will be offered at the gathering, including topics such as mine safety, legislation, training and technology.

Some of the confirmed speakers are WVOMHST director James Dean, NIOSH PRL deputy director Jeff Welsh, and University of Missouri-Rolla mining department chair Larry Grayson. Grayson’s presentation will address the findings of the National Mining Association’s Mine Safety and Technology Training Commission, of which he is chairman.

Additionally, keynote speakers scheduled to present include Massey Energy chairman Don Blankenship, who will offer Wednesday’s keynote, “The Gravity of Coal”; a Tuesday evening reception address by West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin; and NMA president Kraig Naasz, who will present “The View in Washington”

Advance registration is available at a discount by submitting a form through www.bluefieldchamber.com. Exhibitor information is also available at the site, as is information on the event’s golf tournament.

Keep watching International Longwall News for further information on the symposium.