12/21/2023 0 Comments Heavy metal machines voice overThe president and federal agencies also have the ability to halt mountaintop removal mining through strict mine permits and strong federal rules. More than 200 congressional allies supported the effort over the years, but it was ultimately unsuccessful due to industry lobbying. For several years, Appalachian Voices and our partners pushed for passage of the Clean Water Protection Act, which would have provided a long-term legislative fix. In 2002, changes to the Clean Water Act by the Bush Administration created a loophole to allow coal companies to dump mining waste into our nation’s waterways, paving the way for mountaintop removal mining to escalate. What can be done to end mountaintop removal mining? Environmental Protection Agency impact statement on mountaintop removal in Appalachia, it may take hundreds of years for a forest to re-establish on the mine site. In reality, most sites receive little more than a spraying of exotic grass seed, and less than 3% of reclaimed mountaintop removal sites are used for economic development. While reclamation efforts are required by federal law, coal companies often receive waivers from state agencies with the idea that economic development will occur on the newly flattened land. The coal slurry is often dumped in open impoundments that are sometimes built with mining debris, making them very unstable. This processing creates coal slurry, or sludge, a mix of water, coal dust and clay containing toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, lead and chromium. These “valley fills” have buried more than 2,000 miles of headwater streams and polluted many more.Ĭoal must be chemically treated before it is shipped to power plants for burning. In 2002, the Bush Administration changed the definition of “fill material” in the Clean Water Act to include toxic mining waste, which allowed coal companies to legally dump the debris, called “overburden” or “spoil,” into nearby valleys. These machines can cost up to $100 million, but are favored by coal companies because they displace the need for hundreds of miners. Blowing up this much mountain is accomplished by using millions of pounds of explosives.Ĭoal and debris are removed using enormous earth-moving machines known as draglines, which stand 22 stories high and can hold 24 compact cars their buckets. Accessing these seams can require the removal of 600 feet or more of elevation. Many Appalachian coal seams lie deep beneath the surface of the mountains. Because coal companies frequently are responding to short-term fluctuations in the price of coal, the trees are often not used commercially, but instead are burned or sometimes illegally dumped into valleys. Play to everyone's strengths and leave no room for weaknesses.What is the process of mountaintop removal coal mining? CLEARINGīefore mining can begin, all topsoil and vegetation must be removed. Team Focus: You'll need to work with your team of allies who are also in their own wacky vehicles if you want to succeed. You'll need to choose your role and man your own crazy vehicle as you try to destroy your enemies by delivering a bomb to their base if only for your own survival.Ĭlass Roles: Become an Interceptor, Support, or Transport vehicle to either take the bomb from the enemy, heal and shield your allies, or run the bomb to the enemy's base.Įxplosions: Don't take too much damage otherwise your vehicle might succumb to instability and explode on you! In a world now riddled with utter madness, chaos, and nonstop destruction your wits will be put to the test. The apocalypse is finally over and there are only Heavy Metal Machines remaining. Heavy Metal Machines is a free-to-play sci-fi strategy racing game developed by Hoplon Infotainment for PC and will be available on Steam for download sometime in 2016.
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