September 11, 2017 - Virginia Mining Institute held it's 51st VMI Safety Day Contest in Blacksburg, VA during week of August 7-10, 2017.  Special thanks to all that made this contest happen with special thanks going out to the mine rescue teams that participated and the companies that allowed them to attend. Thanks to all the judges from Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio and MSHA District 5 and MSHA Academy.

VMI would also like to thank the following members and/or volunteers Ernest Edgell, John Teets, Bob Baker, Judy Horne, Glen Thompson, Bill Messick, Ethan Smith, Morgan Smith and Ron Glasgow for their work at this event.  Special "shout out" to the following for their support and/or donations to our contest:  West River Conveyors & Machinery, Ecko Fire Protection, Lee Supply, Heintzman, Strata Products, Draeger, Safety Train, Silver Spur Conveyors, Blue Wolf and Coronado.

The trophys presented at this contest went to the following recipients:

Preshift Contest

1st Place:     Kevin Yeary, Contura Energy, Paramont Contura

2nd Place:    Brian Keith, Contura Energy, Paramont Contura

3rd Place:     Jimmy Bonner, Drummond Company, Inc., Shoal Creek Black Team

BG 4 Bench

1st Place:     Scot Jordan, Drummond Company, Inc., Shoal Creek Black Team

2nd Place:    Jackie Dillon, Buchanan Minerals, Buchanan Red Team

3rd Place:     Shaun Bailey, Buchanan Minerals, Buchanan Black Team

BioPak 240 R

1st Place:     Caleb Schoeff, Wellmore Energy Company, Wellmore Red

2nd Place:    Shannon Moore, Wellmore Energy Company, Wellmore Red

3rd Place:     Robert New, Greenbrier Minerals, LLC, Central Appalachian Mine Rescue

Mine Rescue - Day 1

1st Place:    Wellmore Energy Co., Wellmore Red - Shannon Moore, Captain

2nd Place:   Buchanan Minerals, Buchanan Black Team - Jimmie Houck, Captain

3rd Place:    Commonwealth Virginia, The Regulators - Anthony Sturgill, Captain 

Mine Rescue - Day 2

1st Place:     Contura Energy, Paramont Contura - Adam Phillips, Captain

2nd Place:    Alden Resources, LLC, Alden Resources Team - Fred Shannon, Captain

3rd  Place:    Wellmore Energy Company, Wellmore Red - Shannon Moore, Captain

Mine Rescue Overall

1st Runner Up:       Alden Resources, LLC, Alden Resources Team - Fred Shannon, Captain

2nd Runner Up:      Contura Energy, Paramont Contura - Adam Phillips, Captain 

Grand Champion:    Wellmore Energy Company, Wellmore Red Team - Shannon Moore, Captain

Congratulations to all these individuals and teams.  Your dedication and expertise to mine rescue is greatly appreciated and these awards are well deserved. 

The next VMI meeting will be held on Monday, September 18, 2017 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at V & V Restaurant in Richlands, VA.  Program for the evening will be given by representative(s) from State Electric.