North American Galvanizing & Coatings, Inc. announced record earnings for the first six months and the second quarter of 2008. The second quarter of 2008 is the Company’s tenth consecutive quarter of record earnings.
Consolidated net earnings for the 2008 second quarter were $3.4 million ($.27 per share), compared with $2.2 million ($.17 per share) in [...]

State environmental regulators have made first use of broader powers, ordering National Coal Corp. to halt some of its mining on Zeb Mountain.
The Environment and Conservation Department also ordered the company to pay $173,000 in fines for mining through two streams without first getting water quality permits.
A recent change in state law gives regulators authority [...]

Fitted with breathing equipment, gas detectors and mining helmets, dozens of coal miners gathered at the Boone County Civic Center in Madison on Thursday.
Teams of a half dozen miners erected wood frames and hung plastic barriers on the wooden gym floor. When they reached certain rooms, labeled with white cards taped to the gym floor, [...]