Disagreeing with Mountaintop Removal

Mountaintop removal is terrible.  Even though it provides jobs, it is slowly destroying homes, habitats, and health.

• MTM destroys natural habitats and landscapes.  Tops of mountains are literally cut off the mountain, leaving a huge, unwanted gap behind.  
• It screws up water systems.  Product of cleaning and obtaining coal finds its way to streams, killing plant and animal life. 
• Toxic sludge, a product of coal, is "secured" in one area, usually near the site.  This sludge is very harmful, and if it's not contained, can cause serious damage.  See: Southern West Virginia circa 2009.
• Coal is dirty.  It's known as the "dirty" energy source in America.  Coal dust covers homes and landscapes, making air and surroundings dirty.  Since the seams are open, it is easier for the coal dust to spread.
• Due to blasts to obtain the coal, loose rock flies in various directions.  Sometimes, rock can even land on homes.  See: child that was killed because of falling rock. 
• When mountains are no longer needed, coal companies try to "reclaim" them, planting grass, trees and other plant life.  Even then, the plants look different and not as healthy. 
• Like stated earlier, since the seams are open and dust is allowed to fly wherever, more health problems arise in coal communities.  

Meet groups of people who hate MTM just as much as you do!

Favoring Mountaintop Removal

Mountaintop removal is a very controversial issue, especially in the communities that live in it.  Depending on who you ask, some favor mountaintop removal, others do not.

Some perks of mountaintop removal are:

• It provides jobs.  Even though it doesn't provide as much as underground removal mining, people are still employed.  It also pays a pretty good salary, around $50,000 to $60,000 a year.
• MTM is easier to obtain coal than underground mining.  Blasting the seams allows workers to then push the coal to the sides of mountains, rather than hauling it out of the ground. 
• Coal still produces most of America's coal.  At least 50% of the USA still uses coal electricity.  Before America can switch to "clean" energy, coal is the #1 go-to power source.  
• Because America runs on coal, this allows the economy in coal field areas to flourish.  It brings revenue to states like West Virginia and Kentucky.  West Virginia's economy has relied on coal for many years.  AKA: Coal country. 

Click this link to learn how reclamation of MTM is effective!

Winding Gulf Coalfield -- East Gulf Coal Camp

East Gulf coal camp, part of the Winding Gulf coalfield is in Raleigh county in southern West Virginia.

Demographies:

• Native born whites
• Poles
• Italians 
• African Americans
• other European immigrants

Not a specific number for population is listed, but did have 56 deaths during the time the coalfield was operating. 

Coal company owners:

• David T. Ansted (geographer for fields)
• William N. Page (industrialist)
• Actual owners are not listed.*

*Only development areas are listed

List of coal camps in Winding Gulf Coalfield

Dates:

• During the 1970s and 1980s, this area had its "coal boom," when Westmoreland Coal Co. and Eastern Associated Coal Co. were in control. 
• Development for the area started in late 1870s. 

Surface Mining

There are three types of surface mining.

Strip Mining 
Strip mining is used when coal is near the surface or the overburden (surface) is unstable.  It used mainly for when the overburden is unstable, because coal near the surface is not common today, at least in West Virginia.  This technique is commonly used for coal mining only.
Advantages:

• More coal can be produced in a shorter amount of time. 

Disadvantages: 

• Soil and other minerals are basically destroyed in the process. 
• Natural habitats are disturbed. 

Contour Mining 

Contour mining leaves a contour trail in a mountain or hillside.  It looks very much like large steps. 

Advantages:

• Mainly rock and minerals are only mined in contour mining. 
• Uses an open pit to obtain rock and minerals. 

Disadvantages: 

• Very difficult to restore land
• Expensive 

Mountaintop Removal Mining 

Mountaintop removal mining is used to access horizontal coal seams.  Overburden is pushed to areas in higher elevation, to allow easier mining. 

Advantages: 

• Obtains more coal from different parts of a hill or mountain that cannot be reached anywhere else

Disadvantages:

• Harsh to the environment