The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

State News

January 28, 2012

Coal mining symposium planned for Charleston

Associated Press

CHARLESTON (AP) — More than 500 people are registered for the West Virginia Coal Mining Symposium in Charleston.

Guest speakers for the three-day event starting Wednesday include Joe Main, head of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, and C.A. Phillips, director of the state Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training.

Wednesday focuses on regulatory and technical issues, and includes a discussion about MSHA enforcement with coal administrator Kevin Stricklin.

Lawyers will discuss proposed federal safety laws and criminal liability issues in the wake of the Upper Big Branch mine disaster, which killed 29 West Virginia miners in 2010.

Thursday’s lineup features Main and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

Friday’s lineup includes U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Randy Huffman and a panel discussion called “Obama’s No Job Zone.”

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