Hello From the Mine (a Coal Mine….!)

Greetings!

I’m on the move again, spreading the word about ZG Worldwide and learning more about the latest  needs among local businesses. Last week, I took part in a Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce tour of the Viper coal mine north of Springfield, near Williamsville.  Twelve of us from the chamber went into this working mine.  Wow, what an experience! See below for a picture taken in the coal mine (I’m on the left!). 

The mine is owned by Arch Coal Company, one of the nation’s largest coal mining companies.   Illinois has still has huge coal deposits that will last for many years.  The Viper Mine, with about 300 well-paid workers, is one of the area’s major employers and economic generators.   Much of the mine’s coal production is purchased by the municipally-owned City Water Light & Power utility of Springfield, IL.  There are some other local markets.

What first impressed me when we got to the mine’s administration building was its cleanliness.  We had to undergo a safety training program before we were allowed to enter the mine.  There is a great focus on training at this facility, and they are very proud of their excellent safety record.  Outside the mine there is a 5.5 mile long conveyor belt that transports the coal from the mine portal at Williamsville to the coal processing plant to the north.

We put on our safety gear and descended 300 feet into the ground on vehicles that entered the mine by means of a long ramp.   Once in the mining area we got to see the machinery at work.   There was less dust in the air than I expected where the coal was being mined because of the water sprayed on the mine walls to keep the particulate matter down.  Coal is mined there 24 hours a day.

Arch Coal of St. Louis has asked the Logan County Zoning Board of Appeals to reclassify 322 acres of agricultural land to allow for the expansion of an existing coal-waste storage facility, called a coal-slurry pond.  Local citizens are concerned about the long-term effects on air and water quality.  If the expansion is not allowed, the mine would have to close, resulting in the loss of 300 jobs. 

Special thanks to Arch Coal Company for this great learning opportunity!