Coal and After Coal
What can Appalachian learn about coal mining from the small country of Wales? The Appalachia Studies Department at Appalachian State University will host the “Appalachia and Wales: Coal and After Coal” symposium October 14-16 in Boone, N.C.
The conference will address the parallel relationship between Appalachia and Wales, a country that suffered from destructive coal mining practices and shut down most of their mines in the 1980s.
The symposium speakers will address historic ties and production trends between Appalachia and Wales, economic transitions from coal mining in Wales and will include workshops addressing community organizing after coal.
Visit appstudies.appstate.edu for more information.
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