'West Virginia coal miners entering 'the bowels of the earth' to produce fuel for the defense of the Nation. The State supplies more than a quarter of the Nation's total production of coal.' Courtesy of W. Va. Dept of Labor.
'White Oak preparation begins when the machine leaves and the miner is ready to shoot down his coal. The shooting inspector on the left has not only located the hole for the miner to drill, but instructed him as to what angle he must bore his hole to contain the necessary explosive used in dislodging the coal from the seam. The "kerf" made by cutting machine is plainly visible in this picture and you will note the cutting or "bug dust" have been removed before the coal is shot. The length of the auger used by the miner and the width of the bit which determines the size of the hole bored, is also carefully regulated.'
'White Oak preparation begins when the machine leaves and the miner is ready to shoot down his coal. The shooting inspector on the left has not only located the hole for the miner to drill, but instructed him as to what angle he must bore his hole to contain the necessary explosive used in dislodging the coal from the seam. The kerf made by the cutting machine is plaining visible in this picture and you will note the cuttings of bug dust have been removed before the coal is shot. The length of the auger used by the miner and the width of the bit which determines the size of the hole bored, is also carefully regulated.'
'All White Oak mines are electrically equipped and of course this mining machine is operated by electricity. The machine is mounted and transported on a specially designed truck and moves under its own power from one working place to another. It is taken from the truck by the machine operator and his helper and moved to the place of the coal and place in cutting position as you see it in this picture. The machine consists of an endless chain with 'bits' inserted, which act as cutters. The machine cuts a 'kerf' or hole along the bottom of the coal about 4 inches high and extending back six feet under the coal. The fine coal made by this machine is what is commonly known as 'bug dust.' Cutting machines are operated at night and each machine is capable of cutting twenty places on each shift. These machines are operated on tonnage basis and these operators earn high wages.'
Miners Workshop-Safety and Accident Prevention. Members of local unions from mining counties take this short refresher course to prepare to take the State Mine Examination.
'Safety first is stressed in every possible way in White Oak mines. Note the posts set to protect this man at his labor. He is waiting for another mine car so he can clean up his work place and make it ready for the mining machine crew who will cut it during the night ready for him to work tomorrow.'
