[Old School]

I researched and tried to find the total area of land mined, I couldn't. I read several articles that gave an estimate, which is 1.2 million acres since 1980, 5% of the total land mass, so according to you coal companies should only mine 1% more of the land, thats just not true. (these stats are from the UK department of agriculture.)


90% of mined land not used[B]I figured you would try to slam my stats, I hate to break you're heart but it didn't come from an environmental site, although I'm sure they have the stats too. The statistics I got came from the UK department of agriculture.[/B]



http://windpub.com/dirtymoney.htm
http://arri.osmre.gov/KYResearch.htm[/quote]

If you check your article again you will find that they estimated 1.2 million acres being permitted, not mined, since 1980, what it doesn't say is how much of the 1.2 million acres are for contour permits, underground permits, roads, prep plants, load outs, rail sites, MTR or other mining related projects.

Even if we mined the estimated 1.2 million acres, and we developed 10% (which I think is higher) of that land it would mean that 120,000 acres of mined land is being used for other purposes.