The National Mining Association announced a list of preliminary sites for the proposed two-day workshops and said they would be held over the US summer.

NMA president and chief executive Kraig R Naasz said the workshops, hosted in partnership with NMA’s state affiliates, would allow mining companies and public officials to better understand their respective obligations under the new law and help coordinate coal community efforts to implement new safety measures.

“Congress has discharged its responsibility in setting higher standards for underground coal mine safety, and now the coal community must discharge its responsibility by fulfilling the requirements of the law without delay,” Naasz said.

NMA will invite state and federal mine safety officials, state mining representatives and coal company safety experts to participate in the workshops.