Remining as a tool to address AMD
by Andy McAllister, Watershed Coordinator
Remining can be an effective tool for abandoned mine drainage (AMD) abatement. This process includes the extraction of remaining coal reserves from previously mined lands. Through remining, these areas are reclaimed to today’s standards and polluted discharges can either be eliminated or at least, improved.
Existing waste coal piles can be prolific producers of acids and metals which run off into our streams and find their way into our groundwater. Removal of this waste coal is one way of returning the land to productive use while eliminating a source of water pollution.
While not always appropriate as a reclamation tool for every site, remining remains a viable option in Pennsylvania’s tool kit for Abandoned Mine Reclamation. Financed partially or entirely by the removal of the coal, little or no public funds are required. An important tool that facilitates remining is known as a Government-Financed Construction Contract or GFCC. The Government-Financed Construction Contracts program is for contracted operations that will reclaim abandoned mine land sites at little or no cost to the public. The Government-Financed Construction Contracts program allows incidental coal removal as part of abandoned mine land reclamation contracts, authorizes no cost reclamation contracts and allows reclamation of abandoned mine land adjacent to active mining operations using excess spoil.
With Pennsylvania’s huge inventory of abandoned mine problems, having industry help with the reclamation burden saves taxpayers millions of dollars while fostering more land reclamation and water quality improvements.
Brochure from WPCAMR: “Remining for Abandoned Mine Reclamation”
To find out if remining is appropriate for your reclamation/remediation site, contact your local PA DEP District Mining Office:
The Knox District Mining Office
White Memorial Building P.O. Box 669 Knox, PA 16232-0669
Phone: (814) 797-1191 Fax (814) 797-2706
The Moshannon District Office
186 Enterprise Drive, Philipsburg PA 16866
Phone: (814) 342-8200 Fax (814) 342-8216
The Cambria District Mining Office
Cambria Office 286 Industrial Park Road Ebensburg, PA 15931
Phone: (814) 472-1900 Fax (814) 472-1898
The Greensburg District Mining Office
Greensburg District Mining Office
Armbrust Professional Center, 8205 Route 819, Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: (724) 925-5500 Fax (724) 925-5557
California District Office
25 Technology Drive
California Technology Park
Coal Center, PA 15423
Phone: (724) 769-1100 Fax: (724) 769-1102