Alabama Coal Association transitions Alabama Mining Association, focuses on sustainable use of natural resources
The Alabama Coal Association is moving to the future and has renamed itself. The new name, Alabama Mining Association, comes with a new digital identity and website. The mission of AMA is to “promote the safe and sustainable mining of the natural resources that strengthen our infrastructure and grow our economy for all Alabamians.” Patrick Cagle, president of the Alabama Mining Association, stated, “I am honored to serve as the President of the Alabama Mining Association (AMA), and I welcome this opportunity to tell you more about who we are and our vision for the future. As a nonprofit trade association, AMA serves as the unified voice of Alabama’s mining industry. Our mission is to promote the safe and sustainable mining of the natural resources that strengthen our infrastructure and grow our great state’s economy.” Cagle added, “Membership in AMA is open to all sectors of our state’s mining industry as well as the vendors and service providers that support the mining industry. My goal is to equip our members with the best resources available to thrive in an ever-changing legislative, regulatory, and social environment.” Cagle became the Alabama Coal Association president in 2018, replacing George Barber. In 2018, the ACA website stated that the group was formed in 1972 by a small number of surface mining companies who “recognized the need for a unified voice to cope with the modern-day issues that impact so dramatically on the mining industry, the ACA now represents firms that produce 92% of all coal produced in the State of Alabama.” Barber took over the role of president in 2011 on an interim basis and continued to serve in that role until his decision to retire. He was also been a member of the board of directors and was a past chairman of the board. AMA has adopted a free-market approach to recognizing sustainability achievements and wants to incentivize innovation projects. It is leading the effort of sustainable mining in the United States and is the first state association to establish a sustainable mining program. In the fall of this year, AMA will hold its first Annual Safety and Sustainability Awards Dinner. Sustainability projects submitted by AMA members will be evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of regulatory agency leaders, wildlife officials, and conservation organization leaders. “Whether you mine the stone, sand, and gravel that strengthens our infrastructure, met coal exported to steelmakers around the world, or the thermal coal that powers local industry, AMA is the partner that keeps you producing,” stated Cagle. Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed stated, “Mining is a very important part of our state’s economy, and I value the work that the Alabama Mining Association does to support this critical industry. Their expansion to represent all mining operations will benefit the many companies who produce the construction aggregates used to build and improve our state’s important infrastructure and drive economic growth.” “As the collective voice of Alabama’s mining industry, AMA is the advocate dedicated to ensuring that decision-makers at the local, state and federal level understand how our industry supports the economy in their communities and improves the quality of life of their constituents,” Cagle added. “We are fully committed to strengthening relationships with our regulators to help us accomplish our shared goals.”
Alabama’s new coal miners head underground sparking economic impact
A new investment in Alabama’s coal mines is impacting industries, communities and individuals across the state. The global demand for Alabama’s high-quality metallurgical (met) coal, a special type of coal used to make steel, is creating a need for more underground coal miners according the the Alabama Coal Association. In an effort to fill these positions the company has partnered with Bevill State Community College in Jasper, Ala. to offer prospective employees a new miner training class. “Helping new miners understand the industry through programs like the one being offered at Bevill State is a key to future success, but it’s something that affects not only the miners completing the program,” Alabama Coal Association President Patrick Cagle said in a press release. “The cooperation between one of our Alabama mining companies and higher education to ensure miners are well-trained is a testament to the commitment both have to the importance of safe mining practices and the future of the Alabama coal industry.” This week, 15 new miners completed the four-week underground safety course at the college and began working in the Warrior Met Coal mines on Friday. Miners are required to complete 40 hours of training before heading underground in order to comply with federal regulations. But the 15 new miners have 160 hours of safety and practice task training under their belt. “We help them to understand how to lay track, how to hang high voltage cable and how to put pipe together as well as power center operation, belt structure assembly, rock dusting and how to operate fire equipment,” Ken Russell, director of workforce solutions at Bevill State said. “This four-week program is an excellent way for prospective employees to get hands on experience as they learn what a career in underground mining entails,” Cagle continued. “Technology has fundamentally changed underground mining. It’s hard to understand how advanced these operations have become until you’ve seen it first-hand.” Each new mining job offers an average salary of $85,000 a year, and while enrolled in the program, miners earned a $600 per week stipend. But the economic impact of the Alabama coal industry goes far beyond the Warrior Met mines Cagle noted. The coal then travels by barge or train to the Port of Mobile. There, it’s loaded on to export vessels and transported to international steel makers. In May, Warrior Met Coal announced the competition of a new portal facility on the company’s No. 7 mine. After $19 million and three years of work to open the new mine the company now employs over 1,300 people and hopes to add more in the coming years. “It provides employment for those involved in the transportation industry,” Cagle said. “The export of Alabama met coal helps offset this country’s growing trade imbalance. The coal terminal accounts for more than half of the revenue generated by operations at the Port of Mobile, further illustrating the impact of Alabama coal on the economy.”
George Barber retires from Alabama Coal Association, Patrick Cagle to take over
Official, March 1, 2018 the Alabama Coal Association‘s (ACA) president George Barber has retired. According to its website, ACA was formed in 1972 by a small number of surface mining companies who recognized the need for a unified voice to cope with the modern-day issues that impact so dramatically on the mining industry, the ACA now represents firms that produce 92% of all coal produced in the State of Alabama. Barber has been a staunch defender of coal and of coal miners. In 2013, when environmental groups throughout Alabama accepted nearly $3,000,000 from outside interests to fight Alabama’s coal industry and those it employes Barber fought back. He has been active nationally in supporting coal jobs and developed the Coal Jobs Counts initiative highlighting the number of men and women in Alabama directly and indirectly affected by the industry. The Coal Association participates in a national program to host an annual Mine Rescue Contest, this year will be the 42nd such event in Alabama. Barber took over the role of president seven years ago on an interim basis and continued to serve in that role until his decision to retire. He has also been a member of the board of directors and is a past chairman of the board. “I enjoyed my time there and working with our member companies on the variety of issues which have confronted the industry in the past several years,” Barber said. “I am looking forward now to just sitting back at my place on the river and enjoying the peace and quiet.” Taking over is Manufacture Alabama contract lobbyist and former Executive Director of the Jobkeeper Alliance, Patrick Cagle of Montgomery, Ala. “We are pleased to have Patrick joining the coal association as its new president,” said Walt Scheller, a member of the Alabama Coal Association Board of Directors. “The background and experience he brings related to coal issues will make him a valuable asset to the association. We wish George well in his retirement and we thank him for his steady guidance of the association during some difficult years for the industry. George has always been a true friend of coal.” Cagle, who has worked with the association on legislative matters in the past, has more than 10 years of experience in navigating Alabama’s political landscape. As executive director of JobKeeper Alliance, a 501c(4) nonprofit whose mission is to protect and create quality jobs, he previously worked hand-in-hand with the coal industry to oppose onerous, job-killing regulations. “I think my legislative and regulatory experience has prepared me to be an effective advocate for Alabama’s coal industry,” Cagle said. Cagle is an avid outdoorsman and a member of the Conservation Advisory Board, which assists the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with the formation of hunting and fishing regulations. “One of my goals as the new president of the Alabama Coal Association is to ensure that elected officials, community leaders and the general public have a greater understanding of the Alabama coal industry and its benefits to our communities and our state,” Cagle added. “Not only is Alabama coal a valuable resource in terms of energy production, but its use in steel making and as an export commodity make it of further value in helping to offset trade imbalances at the national level.”
