The West Virginia mining community is mourning the tragic loss of Robert White, a longtime miner and respected foreman who died following a workplace accident at the Lower War Eagle Mine in Wyoming County. White, 63, was fatally injured while on the job, sending shockwaves through an industry where his name was synonymous with experience, leadership, and dedication. His passing has left coworkers, friends, and family grieving the loss of a man who devoted his life to mining and to the people who worked beside him.
According to a preliminary report from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), White was pinned in the rib by a tractor while working at the Lower War Eagle Mine, which is operated by Coronado Coal. Emergency response efforts were launched, but the injuries proved fatal. The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training is assisting MSHA as investigators work to determine the exact circumstances that led to the deadly incident. Officials say the investigation is ongoing, and no additional details have been released at this time.
White had worked at the Lower War Eagle Mine for more than 10 years and brought over 40 years of mining experience to his role. Throughout his long career, he earned a reputation as a skilled professional who understood both the dangers and the discipline required in underground mining. His deep knowledge of the job made him a trusted leader, and many miners looked to him for guidance in challenging situations.
Coworkers remember White as more than just a foreman. He was a mentor, a teacher, and someone who genuinely cared about the safety and well-being of his crew. Fellow miners say he took the time to train younger workers, reminding them that no ton of coal was worth a life. His leadership style was rooted in respect, patience, and a strong sense of responsibility, qualities that made him widely admired across the mine.
The loss has hit especially hard in Wyoming County, where mining is more than a job—it is a way of life passed down through generations. Community members say White represented the values of hard work and pride that define West Virginia coal country. Flags were lowered and tributes poured in as news of his death spread, highlighting the close-knit nature of the mining community and the deep bonds formed underground.
As investigations continue, Robert White is being remembered not for the accident that claimed his life, but for the decades he spent building a legacy of leadership and service. His death is a painful reminder of the risks miners face every day. For those who knew him, White will be remembered as a dedicated miner, a trusted foreman, and a man whose impact on his coworkers and community will not be forgotten.
