Are there any active coal mines in West Virginia?

Coal-mining in West Virginia In 2020, two out of ten leading underground coal mines by production are in West Virginia. In the Appalachian region, where West Virginia is located, there were nearly 34,000 coal mining jobs in 2020, down from nearly 30,620 in 2018.

Where are the coal fields in West Virginia?

The New River Coalfield is located in northeastern Raleigh County and southern Fayette County, West Virginia. Commercial mining of coal began in the 1870s and thrived into the 20th century. The coal in this field is a low volatile coal, known as “smokeless” coals.

Where is most of the coal mined in West Virginia?

Marshall county produced roughly 13.9 million short tons of coal in 2020, making this the largest coal producing county in West Virginia. Logan and Ohio counties ranked second and third, with a production volume of around 6.8 million short tons, each.

What counties in West Virginia have coal?

Your travels to the National Coal Heritage Area may lead you along the Coal Heritage Trail, a National Scenic Byway that goes through the coal producing counties of Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming, Raleigh and Fayette where you can go underground at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine or experience the lives of the first coal …

Is coal still being mined in West Virginia?

In 2020, West Virginia was the second-largest coal producer in the nation, after Wyoming, and accounted for 13% of U.S. total coal production. West Virginia also had 12% of recoverable coal reserves at producing mines, the third-largest reserve base in the nation, after Wyoming and Illinois.

How many operating coal mines are in West Virginia?

The state still has eight coal fired power plants which generate the largest share of electricity used by West Virginia residents as well as many beyond the state’s borders. According to Hamilton the state still had about 100 coal mines in operation.

How many active coal mines are in WV?

Who owns the coal mines in WV?

Massey Energy Co.
Massey Energy Co. Richmond, Virginia, U.S. Massey’s mines yielded around 40 million tons annually. The company controlled 2.3 billion tons of proven and probable coal reserves in Southern West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Tennessee or about a third of all Central Appalachian reserves.

Is West Virginia still mining coal?

How much does a coal miner make in West Virginia?

West Virginia coal miners earn an average of $55,000 a year, according to the state Coal Association. And the industry provides $3.5 billion to the gross state product of nearly $30 billion.

How do I become a coal miner in WV?

All WV UG miners must complete an 80-hour training course. This course is designed to help the new miner identify hazards in the workplace and understand the surface mining process.