Abandoned Mine Posts

by Bruce Golden, Regional Coordinator

Pennsylvania’s Joint Legislative Air And Water Pollution Control And Conservation Committee has issued its report on a proposed moratorium on the use of fly ash in mine reclamation projects. The Committee made a number of recommendations, the most significant of which follows:

The Committee does not recommend or support a statewide moratorium on the use of fly ash in coal mine reclamation projects as requested in the public hearing on July 9, 2003. The beneficial use of coal ash, including mine reclamation, has been well documented and the potential risks have been thoroughly examined and these results have been reported to local, state and federal agencies. The Committee has researched data from a dozen sites in Pennsylvania and found that coal ash can be effectively and safely used when properly managed. The information also demonstrates the significant economic and environmental benefits coal ash plays in the reclamation activities in the Commonwealth.

A number of other recommendations were made including: continuing research into the effects of coal ash placement; third party oversight of reclamation projects; studying the effects of not reclaiming hazards and threats posed by the legacy of past mining practices; and providing public education on the beneficial use of coal combustion waste products.

The report is not without its critics, who cite the possibility of increased water contamination.

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by Bruce Golden, Regional Coordinator
The media attention surrounding the recent Quecreek mining accident has had an unexpected side effect. The general public now has the notion that substantial amounts of water exist underground in mine pools. What the public may not appreciate is that this water has been polluted by the mining environment and deemed unsuitable for practically all normal uses.

Related to this is the growing realization of the importance of water resources. As our demands for quantity and quality of water increase, it’s becoming much clearer how precious our water resources are. Without proper management, our demands for clean, plentiful water will ultimately outstrip supply, even in areas where water is plentiful.

It’s refreshing that many are now considering polluted mine pools as a potential resource. DEP Secretary David E. Hess espoused this view in a recent address to the power industry, urging the industry to satisfy some of its large appetite for water from underground mine pools. Taking this approach, the total quantity of available, usable water becomes substantially larger for all. Another advantage is realized for mine pools that need to be pumped to prevent surface breakouts. The water used in power production needs to be pumped and treated, so maintaining safe underground water levels is a bonus that accrues as an offshoot of producing power.

Challenges do exist in using polluted mine water. Power production requires clean water. The most demanding challenge is the cost-effective removal of pollutants from the mine water.

The most important point in all this is the “big picture” thinking that is occurring around the state and throughout government agencies, industry, nonprofit organizations and at the grass-roots level. The emphasis is on solving problems in creative ways and using the resources we have to the best advantage.