Mining Symposium Set

{Charleston, West Virginia}...The West Virginia Coal Mining Symposium in Charleston is set for Wednesday, February 1st, through Friday,February 3rd. More than 500 people are registered for the three-day event. Guest speakers include Joe Main, head of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, and C.A. Phillips, director of the state Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training. Wednesday focuses on regulatory and technical issues, and includes a discussion about MSHA enforcement with coal administrator Kevin Stricklin. Lawyers will discuss proposed federal safety laws and criminal liability issues in the wake of the Upper Big Branch mine disaster, which killed 29 West Virginia miners in 2010. Thursday's lineup features Main and Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. Friday's lineup includes U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Randy Huffman and a panel discussion called "Obama's No Job Zone.''