Clark321, thanks for the info - I didn't know about...

Clark321, thanks for the info - I didn't know about Raspadskaya.

The obvious solution about "what to do" is to create an open cast mine. This will mean that they will be able to mine all the coal (not leaving pillars to hold up the roof). With the extra revenue they could give the families a decent payout and have some over to create a dam in the pit to irrigate farms in the area for generations after the mine is closed.... .....what a legacy that would be for our 29 miners.

But this is just a dream - if they have to ask the Department of Conservation permission to use an optic fibre - then a common-sense solution like this would never be acceptable!