Pressure to high-grade mines

Electric utilities are pressuring mining companies to high grade coal mines to satisfy cheap-fuel needs in the short-term. However, such a course does not take into account and accommodate the interests of all parties to the transaction. Any recovery percentage less than whatever is the maximum achievable is not in any mineral owner's interest. And, ordinarily, it is not a mining company's interest either, particularly during long-term. High grading leading to an excessive number of unreclaimed open pits and delays in reclamation of affected areas runs counter to a landowner's interest, as well as to increase environmental impacts.