Mining conditions need revisions

By Elena Zavala

Several weeks ago, news sources covered countless stories on the mine blast in West Virginia that resulted in the death of 29 miners.

Although eyes turned to Appalachia, little context was given to the situation of coal mining.Coal is a fossil fuel that provides the most energy used worldwide. Currently, about 40 percent of the world's electricity comes from coal, according to the World Coal Institute.

Additionally, 49 percent of U.S. electricity comes from coal, with an increase in use of 2.5 percent each year, as stated by the Energy Information Administration. The U.S. is currently the second largest producer of coal, with the majority of that coal coming from Appalachia.

Strip mining was once the common form of surface mining, but in the last couple of decades a more efficient method has become popularized: mountain top removal mining.

This involves blasting off the tops of mountains so that machines can come in to mine the seams of coal. The blasted mountain tops are then dumped into nearby valleys and streams.

As can be imagined, MTR mining has several economic and environmental consequences. Dumping the fill into streams has lead to the death of wildlife and has ruined drinking water in nearby communities.

West Virginia alone has seen impairment to over 33 percent of its rivers, streams and lakes as a result of MTR.

There has also been increased flooding and a decrease in air quality as a result of the mining. The blasting has damaged the foundations of houses in surrounding communities and greatly reduced the value of real estate.

The current Clean Water Act, which has been around since 1972 and aims to protect surface water quality, does not classify the dumping of fill from MTR as an illegal act.

Most of West Virginia is a one-business economy: coal is everywhere, and because of this mining companies hold a lot of power over the state's population.

This power comes not only from their money, but from their ability to control people's employment situations.

Community members fear that if coal companies are put to a stop, everyone will lose their jobs. But what most do not realize is that there has been a slow but steady decrease in jobs as a result of MTR, as it requires less manpower.

Currently, efforts are being made to create green jobs that would cater to a similar skill set as those required for mining. This includes building and maintaining windmills, which would provide an alternative source of energy besides coal.

But that gets complicated, as it would require a bridge between miners and environmentalists, who have had a rocky relationship in the past.

The call by environmentalists to stop MTR and surface mining has been seen by miners as a direct threat to their livelihood.

Another dimension that must be examined is the difference between union and non-union mines. Unionizing mines has been a constant battle for the last century with the detrimental health effects and safety issues being a major focus.

Seventy-three percent of miners do not belong to a union, but this group accounts for 92 percent of all fatalities.

The non-unionized Massey mine that exploded a few weeks ago had over 400 violations. A legally run mine adhering to all the state and federal laws would not have exploded.

Fortunately, this era could come to an end. According to greenchange.com, the Raleigh County district attorney is considering the possibility of prosecuting the Massey Coal Company for involuntary manslaughter of the 29 miners who died in the accident several weeks ago.

Santa Clara students have gotten involved with the fight against MTR mining. Several students went on an immersion trip to Appalachia three years ago and worked to get the university to sell their shares in Massey stock. After two year's work, they succeeded.

Members of B-Legit, the environmental justice club, protested outside of Chase -- the only bank that continues to support MTR -- to educate their customers on the issue and encourage them to switch banks.

Students can also contact their energy suppliers and request that they receive clean energy. This means that they would not be using coal for their home electricity for a small charge.

If anyone has any questions or would like to find out ways to get involved with the fight against MTR mining, e-mail Elena at ezavala9@gmail.com

Elena Zavala is a senior biochemistry and music double major.