The problem with mining is generally the externalities are not fully priced into the costs associated with the mines. Coal is a very messy business, and its agi

The problem with mining is generally the externalities are not fully priced into the costs associated with the mines. Coal is a very messy business, and its aging so we get to see the after effects on the environment from all of its by products. The companies go bankrupt leaving states with massive cleanup concerns. To properly factor these things in and make it safer to mine in the US would make it unprofitable compared to less regulated countries. Saying it’s in the middle of no where doesn’t mean it has no impact on others. Coal slurry spills and similar have washed downstream in creeks and rivers causing drinking water issues in places like West Virginia in recent years. Here’s a simple thing with chemicals for cleaning coal where basic eye sight inspections meant anyone could have seen and recognized the issues and done something, but instead were allowed to fail, causing mass poisoning concerns for 300,000 people, https://grist.org/politics/no-rules-governed-tank-that-leaked-coal-cleaning-poison-into-w-va-river/ https://grist.org/politics/no-rules-governed-tank-that-leake...