Feature Stories
Lou Martin: Courting Coal Miners Votes is a Mainstay of American Politics
May 8, 2018
This article originally appeared on the Conversation. President Donald Trump recently visited West Virginia for the fourth time since taking office. He’s more popular there than in any other state, partly because of his avowed passion for coal and coal
Carbon Capture for Fracking is Common Theme Emerging Among States on Clean Coal Policy
May 3, 2018
North Dakota’s energy industry can thank the state legislature’s foresight and tax code for its nation-leading push on clean coal technology. The state, which has the most shale oil in the upper Midwest, wants to be able to use carbon
Ranchers and Coal Mines Gain Ground on Conservation in Eastern Wyoming
April 23, 2018
Originally, only the foolish, hardy or desperate homesteaded in the grasslands of what is now eastern Wyoming, said Dave Pellatz, including his family. But as people spread across the landscape, a number of species faced declines, from ferruginous hawks to
Peabody Expresses Optimism One Year After Bankruptcy
April 10, 2018
Coal’s struggles throughout the United States are commonly espoused in headlines and in political rhetoric that — even one year into a vocally pro-coal presidency — has not produced any signs of a turnaround. Instead, the industry remains besieged by
Miners in Missouri Gave Colorful Names to Mines in Tri-State District
April 9, 2018
Mines and mining are perennial topics among local historians in the Tri-State District. More often in the present, conversations revolve around pollution and reclamation issues tied to past mining practices. But a less serious topic is a look at the
Former Coal Miner Has High Hopes President Trump Will Help W.Va.
April 9, 2018
Coal mining has picked up in McDowell County since the election of Donald J. Trump, bringing dozens of jobs and more than $100,000 every quarter to the county in coal severance taxes. Although Lacy Workman is a disabled coal miner
A Ground-Breaking Opportunity: Mining Critical Minerals in America
April 9, 2018
Energy, minerals, and metals are indispensable for our American standard of living. But unlike the case with energy, the U.S. is chronically import-reliant on other nations for the minerals and metals that are needed for our country’s economy, infrastructure, and
U.S. Mines Produced an Estimated $75.2 Billion in Minerals During 2017
April 6, 2018
The report from the USGS National Minerals Information Center is the earliest comprehensive source of 2017 mineral production data for the world. It includes statistics on more than 90 mineral commodities that are important to the U.S. economy and national
Minnesota Mining Country Warms to Tariffs and G.O.P.
April 5, 2018
On northern Minnesota’s Iron Range, where evergreen trees stretch on for miles and snowpack lingers into the spring, a political shift is underway. Generations of residents have gone to work in the mines, endured cycles of booms and layoffs, and
Hecla Mining: Technology Should Retool, Not Replace Miners
April 3, 2018
Despite a lengthy, contentious and expensive strike, Hecla Mining Co. officials want to make something abundantly clear: They’re embracing advances in technology not to bypass contrary employees, but to strengthen the company for the long haul. Workers willing to retool
