Alpha Natural Resources West Virginia Affiliates Receive Safety Recognition

KINGSPORT, Tenn., Jan. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha Natural Resources (ANR, Inc.) announces outstanding safety performance for 2017, with four affiliate operations in West Virginia honored for safety achievements by the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training and the West Virginia Coal Association.

The four Alpha affiliates received the Mountaineer Guardian Safety Award, presented to selected mines and mining-related entities that meet strict safety criteria.  It recognizes organizations with fatality-free operations, superior internal safety programs, cooperative teaming with authorities and minimal safety violations.  In addition, inspectors with the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training may nominate mines and facilities for the awards.

Republic Energy LLC's Workman Creek Surface Mine in Raleigh County has been honored with the Barton B. Lay, Jr. Milestones of Safety Award, one of only two operations to receive the WVMHS&T's most prestigious award. 

The following operations in West Virginia also received the Mountaineer Guardian award:

Underground Operations

• Aracoma Coal Company, LLC                       Cedar Grove #2 Mine
• Kingston Mining, Inc                                       Kingston #1 Mine

Preparation Plants and Loadouts

• Elk Run Coal Company, LLC                           Chess Processing Plant

Barton B Lay, Jr. Award – Milestones of Safety Award – Surface Mine

• Republic Energy, LLC                                       Workman Creek Surface Mine

Three of the operations are multiple winners of the Mountaineer Guardian Safety Award with Cedar Grove #2 and Workman Creek having been honored two of the last three years.

"We are proud of the accomplishments of all the employees at these operations and to see them recognized for their safety achievements with such prestigious awards," said Brian Keaton, Alpha's Senior Vice President of Safety and Health.

All of these Alpha-affiliated operations received recognition at the Mountaineer Guardian Luncheon during the 45^th annual West Virginia Mining Symposium January 30 in Charleston, W.Va.  The West Virginia Office of Miners' Health Safety and Training and the West Virginia Coal Association sponsor the awards to promote safety in West Virginia coal mines and facilities.

About Alpha Natural Resources

Alpha Natural Resources has affiliate mining operations in seven counties in West Virginia, and supplies metallurgical coal to the steel industry and thermal coal to generate power. ANR has offices in Kingsport, Tennessee, and Julian, West Virginia, which support approximately 20 active mining operations. Alpha is committed to being a leader in mine safety and an environmental steward in the communities where its affiliates operate. For more information, visit Alpha's website (www.alphanr.com).  

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SOURCE Alpha Natural Resources