20 Teams Meet in West Virginia to Compete in Mine Rescue Contest

Twenty mine rescue teams from four states are gathering in Morgantown, West Virginia to test their skills.

A mine rescue competition scheduled for Aug. 13 and Aug. 14 will include simulated underground mine emergencies, tests of air packs and fixes of any problems found, and pre-shift mine examinations.

The teams represent coal companies in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Competition organizers say the simulated emergencies could include missing miners, underground explosions and fires, a roof collapse or a mine being flooded.