News Release from MSHA

 News Brief

U.S. Department of Labor  | October 28, 2024

Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Williamson to visit West Virginia University, honor first responders on Mine Rescue Day

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson will visit the West Virginia University Academy for Mine Training and Energy Technologies in Core, West Virginia, on Oct. 30 to acknowledge accomplishments in mine emergency preparedness. 

The visit coincides with the annual commemoration of Mine Rescue Day, established in 2013 to recognize the dedication and sacrifice of volunteers who put their lives at risk to save other miners. More than 250 mine rescue teams are currently certified and equipped to perform rescue operations in the U.S. The teams regularly train and compete in mine rescue simulations throughout the nation to ensure readiness.

During his visit, Assistant Secretary Williamson will meet with the academy’s Mine Rescue Teams and university staff and discuss their training and education. West Virginia University received a $173,543  Brookwood-Sago grant in 2024 to support mine rescue and fire brigade training to enable miners to respond to emergencies such as underground coal mine fires and support surface infrastructure.

Established under the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, the grant program honors 25 miners who perished in mine disasters at the Jim Walter Resources #5 mine in Brookwood, Alabama, in 2001 and at the Sago Mine in Buckhannon, West Virginia, in 2006.

WHO:           Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson  
                       West Virginia University Mining Extension Department Director Josh Brady 
                       West Virginia University Mining Extension Department Extension Agent John Helmick  
                       West Virginia University Mining Extension Department Extension Agent Joshua Caldwell 
                       West Virginia University Mine Rescue Team students and advisory members    
      
WHAT:         Media availability, followed by a facility tour and equipment demonstrations  

WHERE:      West Virginia University Academy for Mine Training and Energy Technologies                  
                       2870 Little Indian Creek Road                         
                       Core, WV 26541 

WHEN:         Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 
                       Media availability: 10 to 10:15 a.m. EDT 
                       Tour and demonstrations: 10:15 to 11 a.m.    
                     
RSVP:          Interested media, please RSVP to                                          
                      paige.nesbit@mail.wvu.edu or call 304-293-4135  
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Media Contacts:

Paloma Renteria, 202-579-1643, renteria.paloma.b@dol.gov  
Frances Alonzo, 202-997-6977, frances.alonzo@dol.gov

Release Number: 24-2236-NAT

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