Coal Strip Mining is a highly destructive type of mining in which
all surface material (overburden) is removed to expose a shallow coal seam. It is the most invasive type of mining for the
environment, because it disturbs so many ecosystems and because it is so difficult to reclaim the areas that have been mined.
The eastern United States, namely West Virginia, Kentucky
and Pensylvania, have had the most troubles with the negative effects of strip mining, often referred to as Mountaintop Removal,
because the process requires removal of all naturally-occuring structures using explosives, bulldozers and other heavy equipment.
