Why Surface Mine?

I missed this when it ran in July, but Ken Ward offered space on his blog Coal Tattoo, to Gene Kitts of International Coal Group to explain why surface mining makes sense in some situations. It and some of the comments that followed were a thoughtful and informative debate on surface mining, its costs and its benefits. For someone like me with only passing familiarity with the technical, as opposed to legal, issues, it was very helpful. Kudos to Ken for sponsoring an opposing view.