Against Mountaintop Removal Mining

Mountaintop removal mining method has lots of disadvantages. It reduces biodiversity through habitat destruction. Streams are buried in valley fills. It also pollutes them due to the minerals and sediment. Health risks include asthma and different cancers. Flooding is increased due to deforestation. There is also damage to homes and infrastructure from the blasting of the mountaintops.

Favoring Mountaintop Removal Mining

Mountaintop removal mining method is a good and safe way to collect coal. This method creates flat land for economic development. It's also safer than underground mining. Mountaintop removal mining is more cost efficient than other mining methods. Most importantly, it creates jobs.

Coal Camp

Big Stick coal camp is located in Big Stick, West Virginia. The coal camp was owned by Pemberton Coal and Coke Company for awhile, until Lillybrook Coal company took over in 1942. The population at the coal camp was around 1,700 people. It wasn't a very popular coal camp, but there was a school for both white and black kids. There was also a company store just like many other coal camps. The mine closed around 1951. The miners and people that lived there gradually started leaving and the coal camp became abandoned in the late 1950's.