The Mine in Utah - My Point of View

I have a lot of mixed feelings about what is going on with the mine in Utah, parallel with the mixed information provided by news reporters and CEO's. It is no doubt a tragedy and it's important to keep in mind those who died (people die everyday), but what gets me is how little attention is given to the cause and investigation of the collapse. So far I guess they have assumed it was caused by a "bump," or a natural shift of the earth's crust. Granted, I am no expert in the field of environmental science, but maybe this is a hint... maybe we shouldn't be mining? Maybe there are other ways to yield electricity other than burning coal and emitting green house gases? Na, couldn't be a hint.

The other opinion is it was caused by man himself. A bold statement at that, but a valid one since there is hardly enough information to determine an actual cause. It has been said that a method was used in the mine that literally takes down pillers designed to prop the mine against collapsing. Now the method is said to be safe by the agency that determines mine safety, but the entire situation seems sketchy. Why was this method used? The pillars were plowed down to find more coal. The answer from one individual on the news was "to make more money." The CEO of the energy company responsible was very defensive over this. He claims the method had absolutely no cause in the collapse.

To me, if this is the reason, it is capitalism at it's worst. Risk the lives of the hard-working to keep profit margins up? Did anyone ever think that digging up the earth for non-renewable resources might have been a bad idea? or that they might eventually run out and all we'll have left is a dug up earth with no more coal? I think it's time to find other ways to power our pointless commodities.