Miners practice their safety skills at Blacksburg Municipal Park.

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The Virginia Mining Institute has been conducting its Safety Day Contest since Tuesday at the park next to the Blacksburg Community Center since Wednesday. The three-day training concludes today (Thursday) and this year makes the 25th year in which the event has been conducted in the Blacksburg area.

“Blacksburg is the only place in southwest Virginia than can accommodate a training exercise of this magnitude,” said Ken Harvey, a mining supervisor from West Virginia. “Blacksburg and its officials have worked with us in bringing and keeping this training here and we greatly appreciate everything they have done for us.”

According to Harvey, Wednesday’s training, along with today’s (Thursday) training concentrates on the mine rescue and safety procedures.

On Tuesday, miners participated in the first aid and pre-shift contests.

“The money we raised from this event will go to four $2500 college scholarships to Southwest Va. Community College,” added Harvey. “Those competing for the scholarship have to write an essay explaining “How their education will help better the safety in their community.”

Harvey noted that the scholarship also applied to those entering the emergency services or law enforcement field.

Photo by David Grimes

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