The open-cast project near Powellton became the focus of Walter’s “Shoot for Two” program last year to encourage Sycamore’s 45 on-site employees to continue a second injury-free year following a previous 12-month timespan; in all, the asset has witnessed one lost-time accident since Q3 2008 after operations commenced.
Having exceeded the milestone on September 26, “it proves great safety performance and strong operational performance go hand in hand,” said Ed Turner, general manager of Walter’s West Virginia Surface Operations; the mine produces about 500,000 tons of thermal and met coal annually for U.S. consumers.
