Arch Coal Says Four Operations Had 'Perfect Zero' 1Q
The mining company said several awards received during this year's first quarter highlighted its record safety performance during 2010.
Arch Coal Inc., a St. Louis, Mo.-based supplier of coal from mining operations in Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia, announced this week that four of its mining operations and facilities achieved "Perfect Zero" during the first quarter of 2011. This means they operated with no reportable safety incidents or environmental violations, according to the company.
Arch Coal announced this as it reported first quarter net income of $55.6 million, 34 cents per diluted share, and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, and amortization that were 46 percent above the period a year ago. Arch posted record revenues of $3.2 billion in 2010.
It said several safety awards received during the first quarter highlighted the company's record safety performance during 2010: Coal-Mac received West Virginia's top honor for the best safety performance among West Virginia surface coal mines; Mountain Laurel earned the West Virginia Guardian Award for underground mine safety; Colorado recognized West Elk as the state's safest underground mine; and Arch of Wyoming received the Mine Safety and Health Administration's Sentinels of Safety certificate for achievements in employee safety. Environmental awards included Coal-Mac receiving the Greenlands Award for the third consecutive year from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and West Elk receiving two Colorado state awards for outstanding reclamation, water conservation, and pollution prevention practices.
"We commend the employees across our operations for these achievements, which further underscore our commitment to achieving a best-in-class safety and environmental record," said John W. Eaves, Arch Coal's president and chief operating officer. "While we are proud of our accomplishments and of the external recognition, we remain sharply focused on continuous improvement. Our ultimate goal is to operate the world's safest and most environmentally responsible coal mines this year and every year."