2024: First West Virginia coal mine fatality at CM Energy Operations LP Surface Mine; under investigation.

A coal miner, Virgil Paynter, died in Wyoming County, West Virginia, on May 16, 2024, after an incident at the CM Energy Operations LP Surface Mine. This marks the first coal mine fatality in West Virginia for 2024. The West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety, and Training and the Mine Safety and Health Administration are investigating the accident.