Virginia Mineral Mine Safety Awards

Virginia Energy’s Mineral Mining Program and the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance (VTCA) are accepting applications for the annual Virginia Mineral Mine Safety Awards. Since its inception in 2007, this very successful program has recognized 120 companies and 525 mineral miners for outstanding safety achievements in Virginia’s mineral mining industry. The 525 mineral miners recognized represent a cumulative total of 12,820 years working without a lost time injury. In 2023, Virginia Energy and VTCA recognized 49 miners who represented a cumulative total of 1,318 years working in the mineral mining industry without a lost time injury.

This year, Virginia Energy and VTCA will again recognize individuals reaching 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 years without a lost time injury milestone in calendar year 2023.

The company award program will follow the same procedures as last year:

• Mine companies will not need to submit an application to be considered for the mine company awards. Virginia Energy/VTCA will determine the winner based on CY2023 data for all mines within a category.
• The quarry category will include the following four award ranges:
  • Up to 25,000 employee hours;
  • 25,000 to 50,000 employee hours;
  • 50,000 to 75,000 employee hours; and
  • 75,000 and above employee hours.
• The open pit category will include the following four award ranges:
  • Up to 5,000 employee hours;
  • 5,000 to 10,000 employee hours;
  • 10,000 to 30,000 employee hours; and,
  • 30,000 and above employee hours.

In addition to the company and individual safety awards, Virginia Energy/VTCA would like to recognize those companies with exemplary safety records that deserve recognition but will not receive an award in one of the above award categories. For example, if your mine site has worked for 10 or more years without a lost time accident or has other notable safety achievements, Virginia Energy/VTCA will review and consider how best to recognize notable achievements. Please contact your Area Compliance/Assistance Specialist or Jeff Stewart if you would like to nominate your mine site for special recognition.

A listing of the awards criteria can be found at the link below. No application is necessary to be considered for a company award. Individual award nominations will be accepted through June 19, 2024. Individual award applications may be emailed to jeff.stewart@energy.virginia.gov or mailed to Jeff Stewart at the Department of Energy, Mineral Mining Program, 900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 400, Charlottesville, VA 22903. 

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