James River Coal Company announced that one of its subsidiaries has earned the Sentinels of Safety Award.

The Sentinels of Safety is the most distinguished safety award in the United States mining industry. It is awarded on an annual basis by the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the National Mining Association to mining facilities based on size and mining method.

McCoy Elkhorn Bevins Branch Preparation Plant earned the 2010 Sentinels of Safety Award for its outstanding safety performance in the category of large Processing Facilities. Bevins Branch is located in Pike County, Kentucky. The mine worked a total of 142,000 manhours without a lost-time accident.

Mr CK Lane Chief Operating Officer said "We are very proud to have received the distinguished Sentinels of Safety Awards. In 2009 Bevin Branch was awarded second place and our employees have worked very hard to achieve the award for first place. At James River we are continually striving to make safety our number one priority."