The Paramont Contura mine rescue team took home the Virginia Governor’s Cup at the 33rd annual Virginia Governor’s Cup Mine Rescue and Safety Contest this week.
Alden Resources actually made first place in the competition, but because the team is based in Kentucky, it did not qualify for the cup. Paramont Contura placed second overall.
Ten mine rescue teams participated in the competition Wednesday and Thursday at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
The competition involved a simulated mine disaster. Teams were judged on how well they recorded mine conditions and their ability to identify and respond to hazards.
Individual miners also competed in “bench” and “preshift” competitions. In the preshift competition, they were judged on how well they identified and dealt with problems. The bench competition involved looking for problems in breathing gear used by rescue teams.
Competition results:
1st Place Team: Alden Resources
Virginia Governor’s Cup/ 2nd Place Team: Paramont Contura
Bench 1st Place: BG4: Tony Lloyd, BlackJewel
Bench 1st Place: 240R: Shannon Moore, Wellmore
Pre-Shift: Franklin Moore, Contura Paramont
2nd Place: Steve Countiss, BlackJewel
Virginia Governor’s Cup Teams: Alden Resources, Buchanan Red, Buchanan Black, BlackJewel, Greenbrier Minerals, Nicholas Contura, Paramont Contura, Southern Pocahontas, Virginia Small Operators Mine Rescue and Wellmore