US Mining Industry Spotlight: The Fate of West Virginia's Coal Mines

Perhaps no other state is as associated with the history of the U.S. mining industry as West Virginia. More than a century before it even became a state, West Virginia's fate had been shaped by the coal mining industry:

The coal industry has played a major leadership role in the state’s economic, political and social history. The industry has also been a center of controversy and the brunt of unfounded criticism, giving rise to battles in the arenas of labor, environment and safety (Friends of Coal).

For a state practically built on coal mining, it should come as a surprise to no one that as coal mining begins to peter out, the fate of West Virginia's economy is called into question. With more and more power plants switching to natural gas, the shift is happening more quickly than some residents anticipated.

According to the Wall Street Journal, six domestic coal mines have filed for bankruptcy since January of 2015, and hundreds of employees at area coal mines have been laid off. All of this has had a deep impact on West Virginia residents. Unfortunately, miners who are laid off find themselves left with few options.

Because of the shift away from coal and toward natural gas, waiting for the next boom is not advisable. It's our hope to see West Virginia develop thriving industries to offset the closures of their coal mines. As for the miners themselves, the mining industry in general is doing much better in other states in the US. Perhaps through some relocation and further training, they'll be able to find homes at some of the thousands of other quality mines around the country.

As the industry grows, so does the demand for equipment. We're committed to meeting that demand through carrying a full supply of OTR tires for all of your mining needs. Feel free to contact us for the best deals.

Image credit: “Blackwater-falls-autumn-foliage-scenery – West Virginia – ForestWander” by http://www.ForestWander.com. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 us via Wikimedia Commons

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