Alpha Natural Resources, one of the biggest coal producers in the US and a producer of metallurgical coal producer for steel industry, announced on February 8 its 2009 safety milestones, including several prestigious safety honors received last week in West Virginia and an overall safety performance for all of its affiliated companies that was substantially (approximately 18 percent) better than the 2009 industry average for both surface and underground coal mining operations.
A press release by the company said that last year was the best year on record for Alpha and its affiliates, as measured by the total reportable incident rate (TRIR). Alpha affiliates received six Mountaineer Guardian Awards presented by the West Virginia Coal Association and the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training at the 37th West Virginia Coal Mining Annual Symposium held on February 4, 2010.