Alpha Natural Resources a leading US coal supplier announced that six of its affiliates in West Virginia received the Mountaineer Guardian safety award for 2011. The operations received the award at the 39th annual West Virginia Mining Symposium on February 2 in Charleston, W.Va.

The following operations at Alpha-affiliated companies received the Mountaineer Guardian award:

Alex Energy, Inc for the Edwight surface mine; Green Valley Coal Company for the Green Valley processing plant; Rockspring Development, Inc. for Camp Creek No 1 mine; Simmons Fork Mining, Inc. for the Ewing Fork No 1 mine; Spartan Mining Company, Inc for the Hatfield Energy mine and White Flame Energy, Inc for mine No.10.

The West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training and the West Virginia Coal Association sponsor this award to promote safety in West Virginia coal mines. The award is presented to selected mines and mining-related entities that meet strict safety criteria. The award recognizes those organizations that manage fatality-free operations, superior internal safety programs, cooperative teaming with authorities and minimal safety violations.

Mr Mark Schuerger senior vice president of CAPP North and a speaker at the symposium said that "This is a great honor. We strive to put safety first in everything we do, so to be recognized for the effects of those efforts is very rewarding. These awards are a real pat on the back for the miners and everything they do on the job every day to operate safely."