Some places you will find that a business degree is looking at some books and profit/loss, you don't need mining experience for that. The guy you are talking about was over this division of Arch (eastern)less than a year ago, I think- Hatfield. It isn't bad or good, these folks need mine managers they can depend on and who they will listen to. Sometimes it gets to the point where you gotta say, " Hey for what return we are giving the stockholders, they would be better off to close this place and put the money in the bank, at least they won't lose any that way." It is hard to do, but it is better than some of the choices. Safety isn't cheap, but cutting corners can be a real problem best you can do. I've been told that for every MSHA rule/law someone died, in mining history.