Mine Tour Photos         

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Mine Tours:
 

CEDAR, in conjunction with Pikeville College and the Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing-Pikeville Division, has conducted a mine tour in October and March of each year since 2003. This is a CEDAR sponsored event which is conducted through the Community Education Program of Pikeville College, a four year liberal arts institution.

CEDAR coordinates the event with Pikeville College who provides publicity and transport vans with drivers. The Office of Mine Safety and Licensing provides use of their offices for registration and tour orientation which includes a video on coal mining in Kentucky. They also provide an underground and surface mining specialist who joins with two coal company officials to serve as tour guides. This enables the attendees to see the industry through the eyes of regulators and operators.

The tour is open to the general public through the college’s community education program and more specifically CEDAR’s recruitment of high school seniors entertaining the possibility of entering the coal industry as a career.

The tour includes the following three segments;

• Underground: The first stop is an underground mine opening site. At this stop the state and company officials explains the mining method and in general the equipment used, work force / training requirements, tonnages, qualities and markets. They also respond to all general and specific questions from the attendees.
   
• Surface / Reclamation: The next stop is at a combination mountain-top removal and contour mining operation. The same format is used at this site as at the underground site. After a question and answer session the group moves to the reclamation area of the operation where a tailgate lunch is provided by CEDAR which attendees enjoys as they experience the scenic view from atop this mining operation. After lunch the reclamation process and type is explained by the state and industry officials.
   
• Post-Mined Land Use: After visiting the two mine sites the tour’s last stop is at the Pikeville / Pike County Airport which sits atop a mountain-top removal mine site. The group hears how the entire eastern Kentucky region has and continues to benefit from this facility, which would not have been possible without the prior mining activities. They are told some of the many benefits our region receives including but not limited to, economic development, emergency medical flights, recreation, jobs, quicker access to necessary parts and components relative to the local industry and business concerns, as well as others.