Climate Changed

Coal Country Is Back, Along With Signing Bonuses and Pay Raises

  • China cuts production, Trump talks big and Wall Street listens
  • As coal mines reopen, locals ask when the good times will end

QuickTake: Trump Pushes Coal Revival

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Before dawn, a coal miner named Cameron Justice stopped at a gas station in Mingo County, West Virginia, grabbing two cans of Monster Energy drink before heading into the pits.

He could use the jolt. The barrel-chested 37-year-old works six shifts a week at the Ruby Energy mine in the heart of U.S. coal country. Last year, he was lucky to get four.