The Legislature hereby finds and declares that:
(a) The continued prosperity of the coal industry is of primary importance to the State of West Virginia;
(b) The highest priority and concern of this Legislature and all in the coal mining industry must be the health and safety of the industry’s most valuable resource – the miner;
(c) A high priority must also be given to increasing the productivity and competitiveness of the mines in this State;
(d) An inordinate number of miners, working on both the surface in surface mining and in and at underground mines, are injured during the first few months of their experience in a mine;
(e) These injuries result in the loss of life and serious injury to miners and are an impediment to the future growth of West Virginia’s coal industry;
(f) Injuries can be avoided through proper miner training, education and certification;
(g) Mining is a technical occupation with various specialties requiring individualized training and education; and
(h) It is the general purpose of this article to:
(1) Require adequate training, education and meaningful certification of all persons employed in coal mines;