His pick and shovel have been replaced by instrument panels on huge trucks, front-end loaders and draglines or by a computer console. This picture shows a dragline at work at the far end of the mine. The mines where this equipment is used do not look much like the images of old, either. In today's underground mine, the walls are white, covered with a coating of lime that prevents coal dust . Constant fresh air flows steadily through the mine, moved by huge ventilation fans on the surface.
Mining is a temporary use of the land.
When mining of an area has been completed, the mining company is required by federal and state law to return the land and water to as good, or better, condition as before mining. The next time you flip a switch to get that electrical power you need, remember that there are miles and miles of wires and lines that connect your home to a power plant you may never see. To see how all that electricity is produced, take the online tour of a coal-fired power plant at the Lignite Energy Councils website. If you still need additional information about coal, the best site I know of is the Virtual Coal Library compiled by the Australians. It is well organized, easy to navigate and contains worldwide information and links.