Kentucky Coal Academy (KCA) staff from Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College were among hundreds of exhibitors participating in the recent International Coal Prep Show at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
Now in its 30th year, Coal Prep is the only trade show and conference in the United States dedicated to coal preparation and processing.
Industry professionals from all over the world come to Coal Prep to show the latest ideas and most effective techniques in coal preparation and processing technology. These professionals come to learn more about and even purchase the latest equipment and services in order to increase plant productivity and reduce costs.
Both Rupp Arena and the adjoining Heritage Hall were filled with mine-related exhibitors, including the Kentucky Coal Academy.
KCA staff talked to hundreds of mine representatives and industry professionals from throughout the world about their program’s state-of-the-art training services. Efficient training and top-notch safety was stressed by KCA staff as visitors from several different countries visited their booth and sought info pertaining to the program.
“We received enthusiastic attention,” said KCA Executive Director Gary Whisman. “It was exciting to see that not only were people seeking us out for information, they were also seeking us out because they had already heard about us and wanted to meet us. This just goes to show that what we’re doing in the state of Kentucky in terms of mine training and safety advocacy is having a global impact.”
Coal Prep is a collaboration between the Kentucky Coal Association and Penton Media.
The Kentucky Coal Association works to advocate for the coal industry and to enhance the ability of the Kentucky coal industry to compete in domestic and world coal markets. The Kentucky Coal Association represents its member companies by educating people about energy resources, particularly coal.
“This is a good and valuable show,” said Murrel Dixon, who directs the Kentucky Coal Academy at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College. “It’s one of the biggest in the nation, and it presents opportunities most beneficial for the coal industry. The industry may currently be in a slump, but after participating in this year’s Coal Prep Show, it was encouraging to see innovative efforts taking place to keep coal alive and thriving not only in our state, but throughout the world.”
The Kentucky Coal Academy is a state mine training program that operates under the direction of the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. The KCA has five academies in coal producing counties throughout the state, including Southeast, Big Sandy Community & Technical College, Hazard Community & Technical College and Madisonville Community College.
For more information about the Kentucky Coal Academy, visit www.coalacademy.kctcs.edu.
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