The Pennsylvania mine won the award for the second year in a row and was among nearly 20 other possible entrants in the longwall medium cutting height category, ranging from 72 to 95 inches.

The mine achieved record production figures in both 2005 and 2006, producing 7.9 million tons and 8.3Mt of raw coal, respectively.

The operation also posted an average Mine Safety Health Administration Lost-Time Incidence Rate of 3.5, an industry benchmark for each 200,000 hours worked.

“We are pleased to have our Cumberland affiliate receive this award,” Foundation Coal senior vice-president of eastern operations Jim Bryja said.

“The men and women of Cumberland are the ones who truly deserve the recognition, as this award is a direct result of their individual and collective efforts.”