The company’s Beth Station Preparation Plant at the Hobet 21 mining complex was chosen from 65 nominated facilities to receive the Mountaineer Guardian Award from the West Virginia Coal Association for significant accomplishments in mine safety in 2001.
In October last year the prep plant marked its three-year anniversary without a reportable safety incident.
"The Beth Station plant is a shining example of our company-wide commitment to safety," Steven F Leer, Arch Coal's president and chief executive, said.
"With safety as a guiding principle, we're pleased our overall incident rate declined 27 percent in 2001," Leer said. "This is our best safety performance ever, yet we won't be satisfied until we reach our ultimate goal of operating incident-free at all our mines."
Last year, Arch of West Virginia received the 2000 Mountaineer Guardian Award for its accomplishments in mine safety at the Ruffner surface mine and the Slab Fork underground mine.