Another view of mountaintop removal mining

I had a conversation the other day with someone who says mountaintop removal (MTR) mining is good. Because this person and I talked without the understanding his/her comments would be repeated, I won't mention his/her name. And I do not say I agree with his/her comments. And I do not vouch for their accuracy. They are presented here because they give views that are not often voiced in the whole debate over MTR mining:

1. MTR mining is better for the environment. There is no acid mine drainage or other long-lasting seepage from a MTR site.

2. MTR mining is safer than deep mining. MTR mines have far fewer injuries and fatalities than deep mines.

3. MTR mining is here to stay until something less expensive replaces it.

4. MTR sites are not good for building large projects after the coal has been removed. On major construction sites, fill dirt is compacted every few inches. At MTR mines, it is dumped over the mountainside with little compaction. The non-fill areas might be good to build on, but you don't want a building or other heavy structure on MTR fill.

5. Appalachians will tolerate mountaintop removal for roads or other public works because they have a direct benefit from them. They object to MTR mine sites because they personally do not benefit from them.

Agree with these points or disagree, this is what was said by at least one person who has a different view of mountaintop removal mining.