The removal of hillsides and mountaintops, necessary for mining companies to extract coal quickly from deeply-buried seams, destroys forests. Experts therefore recommend that coal be extracted using time-consuming deep bore techniques.
Because public opinion opposes coal mining, some states now allow mining companies to extract coal from any particular site for only a short period of time.
The statements above, if true, best support which of the following conclusions?
(A) Mining companies will continue to be able to extract coal using deep bore techniques but not by removing hillsides or mountaintops.
(B) The only way to preserve forests on hillsides and mountaintops is to stop coal mining.
(C) New mining techniques will be developed to make it possible to extract coal quickly without removing hillsides or mountaintops.
(D) Public opinion regarding coal mining works against forest preservation efforts.
(E) Allowing mining companies to extract coal from any particular site for only a short period of time is unlikely to be a successful response to public opinion.
OA: D
Because public opinion opposes coal mining, some states now allow mining companies to extract coal from any particular site for only a short period of time.
The statements above, if true, best support which of the following conclusions?
(A) Mining companies will continue to be able to extract coal using deep bore techniques but not by removing hillsides or mountaintops.
(B) The only way to preserve forests on hillsides and mountaintops is to stop coal mining.
(C) New mining techniques will be developed to make it possible to extract coal quickly without removing hillsides or mountaintops.
(D) Public opinion regarding coal mining works against forest preservation efforts.
(E) Allowing mining companies to extract coal from any particular site for only a short period of time is unlikely to be a successful response to public opinion.
OA: D
