For directions to the mine, I used Google Maps.
Type in Williamson, WV to get a map. Cross the river from there back into KY, and follow State Rt. 292 north, mine is at intersection with Slater's Bridge road. Not too far from Williamson. Small area, so don't blink, or you'll miss it.
In reference to your line of questions, I visited the mine in Nov., 2008, but did not go underground. No offense intended, but in case you don't know, people just can't go take trips to underground coal mines. The mine operator is responsible for everyone ug, and everyone must, at the very least, be hazard trained. With their limited work force, and my limited time to spend there, I just wasn't able to go underground.
I did not see any of the equipment they're using ug, but did see a continuous miner that was being repaired on the surface. I did see coal coming off the belt into the stockpile, and I did see coal being loaded into haul trucks. I talked to Bobby, and I saw the mine map of the then-current mining location. I compared that map to one from July, 2008 that I saw on another site. They had been making progress.
What I saw didn't concern me about the mining. What does concern me is all the shinnanegans going on away from the mine.
AI
