Mountaintop removal mining is a form of strip mining that completely removes up to 800 feet of bedrock from a mountain top. This form of coal mining is practiced in the southern Appalachians and the Allegheny Plateau in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. Environmental effects of mountaintop removal mining include deforestation, sludge flows, aquifer depletion and groundwater pollution. Societial effects include loss of human life, safety, health and property due to extensive blasting, toxic waste storage and catastrophic flooding, as well as the resulting loss of the native culture that ensues.
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- Wikipedia: Mountaintop Removal Mining Discusses process, economics, legislation and criticism. Includes references.
- Orion Magazine: Moving Mountains Discusses the battle for justice that has come to the coal fields of Appalachia. By Eric Reese.
- Washington Post: Appalachia Is Paying Price for White House Rule Change Article discusses the environmental and human impacts being felt in Appalachia. Includes photographs. By Joby Warrick.
- Christian Science Monitor: In Coal Country, Heat Rises Over Latest Method of Mining Article discusses long-term effects of mountaintop removal mining. By Amanda Paulson.
- The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) Seeks to develop and establish a voluntary system to independently verify compliance with environmental, human rights and social standards for mining operations. Includes documents and updates.
- Mines and Communities Empowering activists and communities opposed to mining through information on global mining trends, specific projects and mining industry attempts to subvert legitimate protest. Includes news.
- West Virginia Mountaintop Removal Information about mountain top mining and valley fill, and the environmental damage this practice is causing around the state and in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina.
- Mining Law Reform: This is Hard Rock Mining Documentation of history and current events of 1872 mining law reform actions in U.S. Congress along with data on problems with mining and causes for delays in reform.
- Mountain Top Removal Coal Mining Impact Witnessed In Appalachian Kentucky Article shares remarks from people living in affected regions.
- Oxfam Community Aid Abroad: The Mining Campaign Monitoring Australian mining companies' impact on the environment and vulnerable communities.
- United Mountain Defense Information about mountaintop removal coal mining, its impacts, and how to fight it in Tennessee. Includes photos and notices about public events.
- Religion & Ethics News Weekly: Mountaintop Removal Mining Bob Abernethy interviews religious critics who say the price, in human terms, of mountaintop removal mining is too high. Includes the video report.