Our
lesson began at the mine offices in Perry County, KY. Craig Mullins,
P.E., Operations Director, enthusiastically explained the layout of
the mine using detailed mine maps.
The
group received the required safety training to enter the mine.
Before
going to the E4-1 Elkhorn No. 4 mine, Dave
and Leonard "Ditter" Davis took us to the entrance of one of the oldest mines on their
property that opened in 1902.
Cars are brought out of the mine loaded with coal and
processed to remove impurities before the clean coal is sent by rail to a
power plant.
Tour
attendees left to right:
Paul Efird, Ditter (TECO), Amy Hubbard, Dave Blankenship (TECO),
Kara Kemp, Alan Gratz, Sarah Campbell, Fred Brown
Ditter
Davis and Vena Maggard distribute our safety equipment
All
suited up for our learning adventure into the E4-1 Elkhorn No. 4 mine which
started operations last year.
Boarding
the "Mantrip" to ride down the slope into the mine
Looking down the slope
Looking
back up the slope
This
mine had some very low roof levels at some points. We learned the
reason the mine roof is low is because the miners only want to mine the
actual seam of coal. If the seam is only 32 inches high, that is all
you want. You don't want to mine rock because it would have to be
separated at the surface and disposed.
Also, we thought the walls of the mine would be black like coal. They
are coated with white limestone rock dust that assists with fire prevention and
coal dust suppression.
Miners
in the TECO mines make between $60,000 and $80,000 per year.
Foreman
Danny Sorrells gave us detailed descriptions of the equipment and electrical
machinery underground. Danny is college educated and has worked
in the mines for 30 years.
Roof
bolts that are installed to prevent roof collapse.
Danny
explains the use of the chalk board to the group. At each shift
change, a miner will check the condition of the air and other safety
criteria and then
write his name, date and time on the chalk board.
We
exit our ride to explore more of the mine on foot.
Two
and a half miles underground, we came upon Shannon and Kelly. They
claimed to be the very best looking miners in the whole mine!
Until... we turned the corner and found...
Josh,
who claimed he was the most handsome. Coal miners are not "hicks with
a pick". They are skilled mining machine operators.
The
group at the end of the tour. What a great bunch all of these TECO
folks were for allowing us to spend so much time learning more about the
process and value of mining. We left with a new admiration for what
coal miners do, so we can enjoy life's conveniences that electricity
provides.