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An aerial view of a mountain in southern West Virginia being mined by "Mountain Top Removal"

An aerial view from a aircraft show an Appalachia mountain being mined by the strip mining practice called "Mountain Top Removal" in southern West Virginia, July 24, 2009. This controversial mining technique blasts off the tops of mountains so massive machines can mine the thin seams of coal. The mountain top debris is dumped into nearby valleys and streams, creating valley fills. More than 3,000,000 pounds of explosives are used against the West Virginia mountains every work day. Critics say the mining process damages the environment while supporters say the process provides flat land suitable for many uses. Flight provided by SouthWings. UPI Photo/Debbie Hill

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