The Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy) and the Virginia Transportation and Construction Alliance (VTCA) have recognized eight Virginia mines for their safety operations.

The top eight mines were awarded for their safety records.

Quarries:

·         Appalachian Aggregates LLC. – Bluefield Quarry – 14 employees – 24,634 hours

·         Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. – Doswell Quarry – 20 employees – 49,683hours

·         The Frazier Quarry – North Quarry, Rockingham County – 45 employees – 71,817

·         Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC. – Graham Quarry, Fairfax County – 28 employees – 90,831

Open Pit:

·         Shenandoah Asphalt, Inc. – Shenandoah Stone, Augusta County – two employees – 4,747 hours

·         D. M. Conner, Inc. – #2 Mine, Augusta County – eight employees – 8,644 hours

·         Luck Stone Corporation – Caroline Sand & Gravel – 12 employees – 24,359 hours

·         USC Saltville Brine, LLC. – Saltville Salt Company – 49 employees – 98, 558 hours

Individual miners are also recognized for working without lost time accidents for a period of 15 years or more. In 2021, 21 individuals represent a cumulative total of 425 years without a lost time accident. The Individual Safety Recognition Program began in 2007. Since that date, 481 miners were awarded for 11,567 years of work without lost time accidents.

The Virginia Department of Energy also recognizes environmental excellence among the companies it serves. Winners are selected by the Orphaned Land Advisory Committee and these awards celebrate accomplishments in reclamation at Quarries and Non-Quarry sites.

The following seven mine sites were selected:

Overall Winner and Best Quarry:

Kyanite Mining Corporation- Willis Mountain Mining- Buckingham County

Best Non-Quarry:

Glover Materials Inc. – Rogers Quarter Pit- Greensville County

Honorable Mentions- Quarry:

Boxley Materials Company – Bedford/Botetourt County

Luck Stone Corporation – Greene Plant – Greene County

Honorable Mentions- Non-Quarry:

Bardon, Inc. – Fulks Pit – Spotsylvania County

Virginia Sand and Stone, LLC. – Trice Plant – King and Queen County

 Glade Mountain – Killinger/Cripple Creek Mine – Smyth County

In 2021, Virginia’s mines employed 2,858 production employees and 6,876 contract employees. The 9,657 worked 6,161,491 hours while producing 73,137,753 tons of sand, gravel, aggregates and other industrial minerals contributing $1.6 billion to Virginia’s economy. Also during 2021, 245 mineral mines in Virginia worked 4,642,538 hours without a lost time accident and had a zero accident frequency rate, according to a release from Virginia Energy.

All awards will be presented at the VTCA annual conference held this week in Hot Springs.