Alpha officials said this week that the annual award is given to the operation in the Pikeville, Kentucky region with the best safety record for the prior calendar year. Love Branch had zero lost-time injuries in 2010 and had the best compliance for mine safety regulations.
“It is an honor to be recognized for our commitment to safety. Our employees work hard every day and are dedicated to operating safely,” Alpha Virginia and Kentucky operations senior vice president Eddie Bateman said.
“We congratulate the Love Branch South employees on winning this award.”
The 48-worker Love Branch South operation in Pike County is operated by Alpha’s Road Fork Development. It produced over 404,000 tons in 2010 and logged more than 96,000 man hours.
In all, Alpha Natural Resources – which acquired fellow Appalachian producer Massey Energy in June – operates more than 150 mines and 40 coal preparation facilities in northern and central Appalachia and the Powder River Basin.
