PITTSBURGH, March 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CONSOL Energy announced that four of its mining operations have been named recipients of Joseph A. Holmes Safety Awards. The awards are presented annually by the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association to selected mine operations meeting the safety criteria established for the awards.
The awards recognize each operation and their employees for their commitment to and record of safety excellence.
CONSOL Energy's Fola Surface Mine #1 and its Peach Orchard Preparation Plant, both located in Bickmore, W. Va.; its Southern WV Resources #1 Surface Mine, located in Naugatuck, W. Va.; and its Loveridge Mine located in Fairview, W. Va., have each been named as recipients of the awards based on their 2009 safety records.
"We are very proud of our mining operations and their employees for having achieved these safety milestone awards," said CONSOL Energy Chief Executive Officer J. Brett Harvey. "Safety is the top value we hold at CONSOL Energy. There is nothing more important than safety -- it trumps production; it trumps profits; and it trumps everything we do. The employees we have at the four operations that earned the awards are to be commended for the personal commitment they each have to safety every day. It is that commitment to safety which is recognized through these awards."
The Holmes Safety Association was founded in 1916 and recognizes mining operations on an annual basis for their safety excellence. The association's members include representatives from state and federal government agencies, mining organizations and labor unions.
The awards will be presented at the West Virginia State Council of the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association's 27th annual meeting May 22 in Roanoke, W. Va.
The Fola Surface Mine, Peach Orchard Preparation Plant, the Southern WV Resources #1 Surface Mine and the Loveridge Mine were also recently recognized for their outstanding safety achievements, earning Mountaineer Guardian Awards from the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training and the West Virginia Coal Association.
CONSOL Energy Inc., a high-Btu bituminous coal and natural gas company, is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 Equity Index and the Fortune 500. At year-end 2009, it had 11 bituminous coal mining complexes in six states and reports proven and probable coal reserves of 4.5 billion tons. It is also a majority owner of CNX Gas Corporation, a leading Appalachian gas producer, with proved reserves of over 1.9 trillion cubic feet. Additional information about CONSOL Energy can be found at its web site: http://www.consolenergy.com/.
CONSOL Energy Inc.
CONTACT: Cathy St. Clair of CONSOL Energy Inc., +1-276-498-8239
Web Site: http://www.consolenergy.com/
