TV crew gets miner certifications to shoot 'Coal'

[November 09, 2010]  MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -- Ten videographers with Spike TV are now certified apprentice coal miners, ready to head underground and start filming a West Virginia reality show.

They completed the same 80-hour training required of all new miners in West Virginia, and they passed their certification tests Monday.

State safety inspector Bill Tucker says they won't be doing any mining work, but legally, they could.

Mine safety officials were concerned about the threat of accidents when Spike announced plans for the show "Coal" last month.

But Tucker says producers have gone the extra mile, and he's confident they're taking all the right precautions.

Spike spokeswoman Debra Fazio says filming at Cobalt Coal's McDowell County mine could begin in a week or so.

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Online:

Cobalt Coal: http://cobaltcoalcorp.com/

Spike TV: http://www.spike.com/network/spike/

[Associated Press; By VICKI SMITH]

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