Tug Valley Mine Institute

Tug Valley Mine Institute The Tug Valley Mine Institute (TVMI) was formed in 1946 and is the oldest, continually existing mining institute in the state of West Virginia.

The institute represents southern West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, and southwest Virginia. The membership represents a broad cross section of the business and political bodies of the Tug Valley area: mining, mine supply vendors, equipment suppliers, bankers, merchants, etc. The purpose of the institute is to promote the coal industry and commerce in this area and to improve the relationship betwe

en business and industry with the ordinary citizens of the area. The institute works closely with the West Virginia Coal Association to lobby political leaders on issues that affect southern West Virginia. The institute makes charitable contributions to needy organizations in the area and provides $15,000 in scholarships to deserving students in our area each year.

06/06/2026

For generations, the coal under these mountains has kept America's lights on. But coal is more than fuel. The same seams hold rare earth elements — the minerals inside our phones, electric motors, and defense systems — and University of Kentucky researchers have pulled them from coal itself. The Appalachian Basin may hold millions of tons, right in the ground we already mine. Coal country powered America once; it can help power what comes next.

2026 BOD(L-R) Richie Belcher, Andy Ashurst, Tim Brown, George Ferrell, Andy Willis, Bud Baldwin, John Goroncy, Ray Scite...
06/06/2026

2026 BOD
(L-R) Richie Belcher, Andy Ashurst, Tim Brown, George Ferrell, Andy Willis, Bud Baldwin, John Goroncy, Ray Scites, Georgene Robertson

06/05/2026
06/04/2026
06/04/2026
Tug Valley Mine Instituteawards annual $20,000 in scholarshipsTug Valley Mine Institute (TVMI) announces the six 2026 sc...
05/22/2026

Tug Valley Mine Institute
awards annual $20,000 in scholarships

Tug Valley Mine Institute (TVMI) announces the six 2026 scholarship recipients. The $8,000 David B. Akers Memorial Scholarship was awarded to David Hagy, Belfry; the $8,000 Raymond J. Scites Honorary Scholarship Award was awarded to Abbigail Vipperman, Belfry. Four $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Kelsey Cisco, Mingo Central; Bailee Hall, Tug Valley; Aidan Rimmer, Logan; and Isaac Walters, Chapmanville. Guest speaker was Evan Jenkins, Ramaco Vice Chairman.

Over the last thirty-one years, TVMI has awarded 178 (one hundred seventy-eight) students $473,250 in scholarship monies.

Beginning 2027, TVMI has partnered with WVU to establish a foundation scholarship that will be awarded each year in the name of TVMI. A $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a junior and senior engineering student each year from one of the following counties: Boone, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Wayne, Wyoming Counties, West Virginia or Pike County, Kentucky.

05/22/2026
TVMI Hall of Fame updateSidney R. Young, Jr.
05/22/2026

TVMI Hall of Fame update
Sidney R. Young, Jr.

Address

Williamson, WV
25661

Telephone

+13047928433

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Tug Valley Mine Institute posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Tug Valley Mine Institute:

Shortcuts

Share

Category