Economic System Analysis of Coal Preconversion Technology:Phase I. Volume V. Survey of Socioeconomics,Financial Statistics,and Legal Aspects. Interim Report for the Period August 1973--July 1975.

摘要

The future of large-scale surface coal mining in the United States will be affected by socio-economic factors,corporate finances,and legal constraints. This report presents a survey of these considerations and how they affect mining. Socio-economic factors are defined as the effects of a mining project on the surrounding communities. This volume presents the changes some consider beneficial,others detrimental,which occur when a new mine is opened in a virgin area. A new mine would cause an increase in employment,population and the community's tax base,but also would generate population profile changes, urbanize a previously rural community,and increase demands on community services. Corporate finances are an important consideration when assessing industry's ability to meet the required expansion in coal mining. As discussed in this report,the coal industry is dominated by companies whose revenues are generated mainly from non-coal operations. The production of coal is dispersed among many companies;however,the trend is toward more concentration of production among fewer firms through mergers. Internal sources of capital within the industry are limited and may curtail the opening of large-scale surface mines in the future. Federal,state,and local laws are becoming more constrictive and demanding of the coal industry. Federal involvement alone,throughout the life cycle of a mine,includes regulations on environmental protection,health,safety and public land control. A list of twenty Federal laws and a directory of eight major Federal agencies outlining the legal aspects that have an impact on surface coal mining are presented. (ERA citation 01:019570)