West Virginia Universitys Department of Mining Extension and the Academy for Mine Training and Energy Technologies invite the mining community and the public to an open house from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the Dolls Run mine training facility near Core in Monongalia County.

The Academy is a joint public-private partnership between the WVU Department of Mining Extension, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College and the West Virginia Coal Association, working together to help fill the states growing need for coal miner training.

The open house will include an overview and tour of the facilitys operations, a demonstration of newly acquired state-of-the-art mining simulators used in training and refreshments.

Participants will have the chance to experience the simulators themselves and to learn how apprentice miners gain hands-on experience before ever entering a mine. Local coal operators, safety directors, human resource representatives and employers are especially encouraged to attend to learn about the Academys facilities and programs.

The WVU Mining Extension department provides an extensive range of training programs for underground and surface mining, training more than 3,000 new and experienced miners each year. The Dolls Run facility was donated to WVU by Consol Energy. The U.S. Department of Labor provided $3 million for the program.

Directions to the Dolls Run facility are as follows: From the Star City bridge, take Route 19 north roughly two miles until you reach Route 7. Turn left and proceed 3.9 miles. Turn left on Little Indian Creek Road and proceed .7 miles. The facility will be on your left, marked by a blue sign for the Academy for Mine Training and Energy Technologies.

For more information, contact Jane Dailey at 304-983-6463 or Ella.Dailey@mail.wvu.edu .