Today we start at the Logan Walmart Plaza. This plaza would not be possible if not for coal mining. One, it provided the large flat surface for the plaza and coal mining provides the economic foundation for the growth of these southern WV coal counties.
We then travel to the CoalMac Surface Mine in Logan County. This tour of a surface mine dispells many preconseved ideas that I had about surface mining and mountain top removal. What I saw was an operation that goes to great legnths to do a high quality job in all aspects of surface mining. These professionals use the best technology and innovations to reclaim mined lands. Areas observed 5 to 6 years after being reclaimed demonstrated wildlife, biodiversity, and native species. Some of these reclaimed lands were being used for a horse farm and a cow calf beef producing operation. After meeting and talking to the people at CoalMac and seeing what they do it made me proud of WV coal mining.
We finished the day at the Mountain Laurel Processing Plant at Sharples WV. This plant processes coal fo a deep mine and right now due to market conditions is producing on met. coal used to make steel. This facility cleans and grades coal to meet the specifications of individual customers. This plant is again cutting edge technology the best in the world right here in WV.
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