The coal industry has long been a mainstay of the Southwest Virginia economy, but its impact goes well beyond that.
Coal has been a vital source of fuel for the production of electricity, but is often overlooked as the fuel source which makes it possible to produce steel. The majority of the coal mined in Southwest Virginia is metallurgical (or “met”) coal and most of that is exported. The simple fact is that “Met Coal Makes Steel” and what that means is that the coal mined in Southwest Virginia makes it possible for the steel that supports bridges and buildings.
Today’s coal industry is much different from that of the past. The use of technological advancements in machinery and processes has seen mining mechanized and the operation of many machines by remote control which has also contributed to safety.
Additional advances have also seen mining operations reduce environmental impact with reclamation efforts resulting in the creation of usable land for projects in the region which are now home to housing, universities, recreation, airports and business.
The mineral severance taxes paid by coal producers are used to enhance economic development and the diversity of industry types in the region. As a result, in Southwest Virginia, coal mining creates not only jobs within the producing coal mines in the state which are very high-paying jobs, but it also creates additional industry support jobs. At the same time, it contributes to job creation in other industry sectors as the taxes paid are reinvested in the community to provide incentives for other businesses and industries to locate in the region.
Without met coal as a fuel source, we would not have the steel needed to meet many infrastructure needs throughout the United States and beyond—from buildings to bridges to many other things in between, the impact from the production of met coal reaches well beyond our region, but it all starts here.
BARBARA ALTIZER
Executive Director Education and Outreach
Metallurgical Coal Producers Association