Finding good news in the coalfields of southern Appalachia these days is rare. Readers may recall that Coal Age reported last year that the Justice Family launched Southern Coal Corp. The company has since invested more than $125 million and has strategically realigned its business units to adapt to a changing market place (See Southern Coal, p. 40). Today it operates 33 mines and is considered the largest privately held metallurgical coal producer, mining coal by both surface and underground methods in one of the most politically contentious regions in the U.S.

Our hearts and prayers are with the widows, children, families, friends, and co-workers of the miners that perished in the Upper Big Branch mine tragedy that occurred the day after Easter. A lot of little boys and girls will never get to see their fathers and grandfathers again. They may never understand why they took a chance at such a dangerous job. In many cases, the fathers probably would have told the children they toil so they won’t have to when they get older. Sadly, those miners should not have had to take a chance.