Blasting in West Virginia Mines
Charleston lawyers pursue mining companies in nuisance lawsuits
Numerous mining techniques extract different types of minerals and create wide-ranging risks to communities surrounding mining operations. Blasting is one of the most damaging types of mining procedures. The process involves the detonation of explosives to remove natural resources, which may have a devastating impact on the environment, property and health. Since our founding in 1976, Calwell Luce diTrapano PLLC has helped property owners fight the corporations that damage their property, harm their health and diminish their quality of life.
Problems caused by blasting techniques in the mining industry
West Virginia mining companies strip rock off every bit of mineral and leave a barren waste where beautiful mountains once stood. This blasting technique can cause irreparable damage to adjacent properties and forever change the lives of residents in the area. Our environmental law firm holds the mining industry accountable for damage to your property, health and quality of life, interference with wildlife and destruction of the environment. We file nuisance claims for such issues as:
- Fly rocks — When a blast is ignited, the resulting explosion can send rocks flying, sometimes in unexpected directions and for surprising distances. These fly rocks can damage homes, block roadways and injure people.
- Release of toxic materials — The earth comprises countless unstable and toxic natural substances. Kept underground, these materials are harmless. However, blasting releases hazardous materials into water, air and surrounding soil. In addition, chemicals introduced in the mining process are dispersed when rock is exploded.
- Water pits and rock piles — Some mining operations blast off entire mountain tops, leaving gaping holes extending for thousands of feet. Often these deep pits fill with contaminated water that leaches into drinking and irrigation water sources and poses a threat to wildlife. The waste rock is typically piled into high, unsightly piles containing toxic chemicals.
- Seismic activity — Blasts can trigger seismic activity that sometimes reaches far beyond the mining location. The shifting earth can damage buildings, roads and other infrastructures.
Consult our team about filing a nuisance lawsuit against the mining company blasting in your area
For more information about claims involving blasting, call Calwell Luce diTrapano PLLC at 304-400-6558 or contact our law firm online to schedule an appointment.
