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Mining - Coal

Mining - Coal. F ossil fuel used primarily for electricity generation in the United States. Traditional Coal Mining Methods. Underground Coal Mining Historic –Tunnels following coal seams Modern -Room and Pillar Mining. Mountain Top Removal.

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Mining - Coal

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  1. Mining - Coal • Fossil fuel used primarily for electricity generation in the United States.

  2. Traditional Coal Mining Methods • Underground Coal Mining • Historic –Tunnels following coal seams • Modern -Room and Pillar Mining

  3. Mountain Top Removal • Trees are clear cut; explosives used to loosen soil & rock. • Topsoil is removed using huge shovels. • Draglines that are 20 stories high remove “overburden” to expose coal seams. • Nearby valleys are filled with the removed rock. • Coal companies are required to reclaim the land, but native plants often cannot grow in disturbed topsoil.

  4. Controversial Mining Methods:Mountain Top Removal

  5. Pros Cons Mountain Top Removal • Safer for Workers • More Profitable for the Mining Company • Lower Electricity Cost for Consumers • Mining jobs in the Appalachian today • Environmental impacts: • Stream & groundwater pollution • Results in taxpayer funded cleanups • Hurts tourism profits, income and jobs • Fewer mining jobs than with underground methods

  6. Underground Coal Gasification Pros Cons • Coal is burned underground releasing hydrogen and methane, which is used to generate electricity. • No dangerous underground mining and fewer emissions than burning coal above ground. • Can burn coal that otherwise would not be used. • Potential for ground water contamination • Potential for Sinkholes

  7. Mining for Uranium

  8. McArthur River Mine, Canada Ranger Open-pit Uranium mine in Australia

  9. In-Situ Leaching Sulfuric acid is pumped underground. This dissolves the uranium and the liquid is pumped back up to the processing plant.

  10. Environmental Impacts • Clay layers may allow acid solution to pass through. • Groundwater contamination results, and would be impossible to correct. • In addition, Radon is released during processing.

  11. Uranium in the Appalachians • Radioactive Uranium is used as fuel in nuclear power plants • Deposits of Uranium are found in the Appalachian Mountains

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