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Being held January 10-12 at the Charleston House Holiday Inn in West Virginia’s capital city, the event boasts a variety of experts for all three days and is expected to draw a guest list just as diverse.

Among the presentations on Wednesday’s itinerary are “Mine Safety Health Administration 2007” by agency administrator Kevin Stricklin; “Mine Emergency Preparedness” by West Virginia University’s Joe Spiker; and two legal presentations on pre- and post-accident citation management by Dinsmore & Shohl and Spilman Thomas & Battle, respectively. An overview of the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training reports on Sago and Aracoma will also be discussed.

The environmental workshop is also shaping up with nearly a dozen discussions that span the sector from reclamation to mitigation and more. Included on the schedule are “Indiana Bat Update” by Bob Falla of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection; “Overview of Water/Wastewater Management Enforcement” by Falla’s agency colleague, Mike Zeto; and an update of the WVCA’s environmental-technical committee recommendations by Gene Kitts of International Coal Group and WVCA’s Jason Bostic.

Thursday’s presentations will kick off with a keynote session followed by a morning schedule highlighted by an appearance by WV Governor Joe Manchin, who will share his “State of the State” speech with guests. MSHA chief Richard Stickler will also present during the morning on “National Mine Safety Perspective”

Following a luncheon keynote presentation Thursday by WVOMHST director Ron Wooten, an afternoon line-up of experts covering current developments will take the stage. The National Mine Safety Technology Task Force chairman Larry Grayson will be among the group, discussing the group’s recently released report.

Friday’s itinerary is just as interesting, with a morning of presentations on current legislative issues and environmental litigation. West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey director Mike Hohn will also deliver a presentation on “Improvements in Underground Mine Mapping”

The technical portion of the event will adjourn with closing remarks and the event will wrap up with the organisation’s yearly Mine Reclamation Awards luncheon on Friday afternoon.

While the room block onsite at the Holiday Inn has expired, those interested in attending the symposium may still register. Registration for the event includes entrance to technical sessions, sponsored meals and breaks, admittance to the exhibitor area and a legislative reception.

Those interested in registering, exhibiting, advertising or sponsoring a portion of the event may contact Sandi Davison at sdavison@wvcoal.com or by phone at (304) 342-4153.

Keep watching International Longwall News for coverage from the event.