Coalminers’ slaughter: in US, they blow up mountains for coal

The traditional lifestyle of the Appalachian peaks of West Virginia is under threat from mining companies who blow the summits off mountains to reach the coal deposits that lie beneath the surface.

… Anti-MTR groups say at least 470 mountains in several states have been decapitated by companies practising the controversial mining method, and show satellite photos from the Internet to prove their point.

Chris Hamilton, spokesman for the West Virginia Coal Association, played down the environmental impact of the mining technique.

“Mountaintops are like brain cells: I’m not sure I can tell you exactly how many we have,” he told AFP.

He defended MTR, saying the positive economic impact of West Virginia’s mining industry far outweighed any negative effects.

“There is some occasional situation where a mine operation and a community come a little close together but I submit to you that it’s not the routine, not the norm,” he added.

AFP