[Old School]

No I dont just agree with things from the government that make me look correct, although it may seem that way at times. I just tend to be skeptical of things they say, and those where the only semi-reliable statistics I could find on the subject. From everything ive read, and this includes info from the EPA and the MSHA, no one really knows exactly how many surface mines are active in ky, so I tend to not trust things coming from either of those institutes, also I couldnt find anything from them.

If your stats are to be believed, the my theory on MTR being a cause of the decline in jobs is still true. According to your stats, surface mines hire 33% less workers than underground mines, pretty big difference.

Yes or No answers

No it isnt hard to give yes or no answers, but it also isnt hard to do some comprehensive reading and figure things out on your own. Just my opinion though. I really shouldnt have to give things to you in black and white.

I feel we should get back on topic of this thread. What was your opinion on the video old school, it provided a first hand close up look at some of the processes involved in strip mining. you said that most people hadnt gotten a first hand look at mining, and this video provided it, and from what I could tell, the people behind the video are against mtr? what are your thoughts on this?


Also I think im done with this post, ive got better things to do, like study for some big exams ive got coming up/

I posted the information about the number of surface and underground mines because you said that you could not find them anywhere, and did you read the rest of my post where I said that there were to many unanswered questions to obtain a true count.


Why in the world would someone want to give answers that could be easily misunderstood or taken the wrong way, when it is just as easy to get straight to the point, and we would all experience alot less confussion.

In my opinion your still convinced that 45% of mining operations employee 3 people or less and that surface jobs will make larger profits, I did a little research and came up with this. It would take a 3 man crew working 5 - 10 hour days, 3 weeks to uncover an 1/2 acre coal pit with a BCY/Ton ratio of 12:1, and another week to remove the coal. Here's a list of equipment that would be needed to operate a surface mine with 3 employees, 1-Wheel Loader, 1-Rock Truck, 1-D11/10 Dozer, 1-Drill, 1-Escavator, 1-Coal Loader, 1-Road Grader, 2-Powder Trucks, 1-Mechanic Truck, 1-Fuel/Service Truck, now altgether this equipment would probably cost around 6 Million Dollars. Since you only have three employees you'll only be working one shift which means that this equipment should last 7 years or so. If the coal seam averaged to 42" to 48" inches thick you would have about 3,500 tons, which would give you a monthly revenue of $175,000 if it sold for $50 per ton. Now let's take a look at your expenditures per month.
1) Equipment - $90,000 (estimated with 8% interset)
2) Fuel - 50,000 (based on 600 gallons per day @ $3.85 per gal)
3) Taxes - Coal 20,000
4) Coal Transportation - 28,000 (depending on the distance hauled)
5) Wages - *** 20,000 (accounting for Foreman, Blaster, Mechanic/ Op.)
6) Royaltys - 13,000
7) Maintenance - 15,000
8) Explosives - 15,000
9) Taxes - Wages 7,000
10) Insurance - 5,000
11) Misc. Exp 10,000 (Engineering, etc.)
Total Expenditure $293,000 per month

I know I've missed items and while this little exercise is not exact, it is close and it shows that a coal company that only employees 3 people cannot produce enough coal to be profitable.

Expenditures $293,000 per mo. - Revenue $175,000 per mo. = BANKRUPTCY

*** Even with only three employees their still has to be a certified surface foreman and a certified blaster, also one will have to be a mechanic/welder.

I will get back with you in a day or so on the video.