Coal mine
From Envirowiki
Coal mines are big holes in the ground that ya get black stuff out of.
Contents |
[edit] Methods
There are many methods of coal mining including:
[edit] Shored underground mining
The original method of underground mining, Shored underground mining is not used much in developed countries any more, as it is not economically viable, or particularly safe.
[edit] Long-wall mining
Long-wall mining is a form of underground mining, in which two parallel tunnels are dug a long distance apart (up to a few kilometers), and a third tunnel is dug across one end in a "U" shape. The third tunnel forms the long wall, which is constantly dug out on one side, and moved forward in an "H" pattern. The cavity left behind collapses, sometimes violently.
[edit] Open-Cut mining
Open-Cut mining is a method using a huge pit dug into the face of the earth, to extract whatever coal seams may lie underneath. Hugely destructive to the mine site and the areas around it (dust, noise, water table pollution). Open Cut mines can rarely ever be truly rehabilitated, due to the massive disruption of the soil structure and the effect on the water table.
[edit] Effect on the environment
Coal mines often have devastating effects on the local environment, by destroying habitat, contaminating water ways, lowering and/or contaminating the water table, scaring or poisoning animal (who may drink the contamination), and by covering the adjacent land with coal dust.
Of course, coal is one of the largest contributors to anthropogenic climate change
[edit] Effect on human health
Communities living near coal mines often have higher incidences of respiratory illness, and there are some instances of increased risk of cancer[1]. Coal dust is a very fine dust, making it difficult to filter out when breathed, and contains traces of radioctive elements such as uranium and thorium, which can be carcinogenic in high doses. Coal mine companies are often quick to try and disprove any link.
[edit] Effect on communities
Pro-coalers will often quip that coal mines provides lots of jobs. This is not strictly true, as the mines are so mechanised they require little supervision. Coal miners are often not from the local community any way, since it it cheaper to pay a trained worker to commute long distances than it is to train new workers. This generally means that mine workers have little or no connection to the community in which they live part of their lives, and the community degenerates.
Mining in some areas has a negative effect on employment, for example where mines' water use and dust damages farming.
There a more jobs in the wind power industry per kilowatt-hour produced.
[edit] List of Notable Coal Mines
- Anvil Hill (proposed)
[edit] Companies in Coal Mining
[edit] Reference
- ↑ Hendryx, Michael; Kathryn O'Donnell, Kimberly Horn (2008-03-17). "Lung cancer mortality is elevated in coal-mining areas of Appalachia". Lung Cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands). DOI:S0169-5002(08)00060-3. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.
