Massey Energy said that it is become the first mining company to receive three national safety awards from the industry's chief regulator in one year.

Massey in a statement said that it accepted Sentinels of Safety awards for its Chess and Chesterfield processing plants in Boone County and its North Surface Mine in Mingo County.

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration and National Mining Association base the annual awards on the lowest injury rates.

Massey said that its safety performance has been better than the coal industry's average. However it also has struggled at times. Earlier this month, MSHA warned Massey that safety needed to improve at three of its operations or they would face stricter enforcement.

(Sourced from Associated Press)