Do you think she meant to say “abandoned strip and pit mines”, or might she believe there are abandoned mine fields in the state? Maybe she thinks ex-mine workers can go overseas to former war zones to clear old mine fields?
In any event, reclaiming strip mine pits is a daunting task, involving lots of money and a high risk of pollution.
LOL, LOL, I was waiting for someone to get what she was trying to say, much as I hate to give her any credit for being intelligent. Yes, I believe she is referring to the strip mines mountain tops where the land has to be reclaimed with trees, etc. She has no clue how different are the skills required between strip mining and underground mining.
I may be one of the few here who has actually been a mile down in a working mine. Those guys are a breed apart. I talked to them and understood why they love mining. Turns out it’s a bit like the military. They said that down there are no enemies, they are all “brothers”. Upside they may hate one another, but down there it’s a different world. I will never forget the way all those I interviewed Pretty much said the same things about mining. They are proud men and tough as nails. Above ground reclamation of the land is a totally different skill set. There are not enough strip sights to train and employ all those miners for more than a couple of years, maybe less.
Welcome to FR