2013 National Mine Rescue Contest

Wyoming County mine rescue team wins national title

Charleston Daily Mail
by Jared Hunt
September 17, 2013

See Cliffs Team Photo

The Mine Rescue Team from Cliffs Natural Resources' Pinnacle Mine in Wyoming County won first place at the 2013 National Coal Mine Rescue Competition, the company announced Friday.

Sponsored by the National Mining Association and administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration, the four-day competition featured more than 80 rescue teams from 12 states.  Competition events ranged from first aid to the more complex simulated mine rescue scenarios.

The Pinnacle Mine Blue Team completed both days of team events without a single error and achieved the fastest problem solving time on the second day of competition.  It was the second time the team won the national title, the first one coming in 2005.

"Mine rescue teams are the backbone of our readiness for mine emergency response," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor mine safety and health.  "The testing of mine rescue skills and preparedness the teams undergo in the national competition is invaluable."

David Webb, Cliffs' senior vice president of global coal, called the title a great accomplishment that showed the company and its employees.

"To take home this prize proves that our employees are truly among the very best in the industry and that their work and dedication pays off," Webb said.  "It also is a reflection of our entire organization's focus on being among the national leaders in safety, production and efficiency."