Click on a piece of coal
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Surface mining in the Appalachian Mountains is most often done using heavy explosives and machinery to remove the tops of mountaintops and ridges, exposing thin seams of coal that lie underneath. The rocks and dirt they remove are piled into valleys, smothering streams. This process is harmful to human health and damages waterways and sensitive ecosystems.
After removing the coal, companies are supposed to regrade and backfill pits and cliffs left over from mining and replant trees and other vegetation.
Companies are supposed to reclaim mined areas as they go rather than leave all the reclamation to the end. This is another way the law aims to ensure cleanup happens.
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Mining exposes rock layers to air and water, which increases “weathering” or the breakdown of the rock layers. When the rock contains the mineral pyrite, the dissolved pyrite turns water orange due to iron content and makes the water acidic. This water is commonly referred to as acid mine drainage. Acidic water is damaging to aquatic life and can even be harmful to humans.
Acid mine drainage near a coal preparation plant in Eastern Kentucky. Photo by Matt Hepler
A Virginia mine near the headwaters of the Russell Fork River. Photo by Erin Savage
A mine in Pike County, Kentucky. Photo by Matt Wasson
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Before
Surface mining in the Appalachian Mountains is most often done using heavy explosives and machinery to remove the tops of mountaintops and ridges, exposing thin seams of coal that lie underneath. The rocks and dirt they remove are piled into valleys, smothering streams. This process is harmful to human health and damages waterways and sensitive ecosystems.
A Virginia mine near the headwaters of the Russell Fork River. Photo by Erin Savage
After removing the coal, companies are supposed to regrade and backfill pits and cliffs left over from mining and replant trees and other vegetation.
A mine in Pike County, Kentucky. Photo by Matt Wasson
Companies are supposed to reclaim mined areas as they go rather than leave all the reclamation to the end. This is another way the law aims to ensure cleanup happens.
Acid mine drainage near a coal preparation plant in Eastern Kentucky. Photo by Matt Hepler
Mining exposes rock layers to air and water, which increases “weathering” or the breakdown of the rock layers. When the rock contains the mineral pyrite, the dissolved pyrite turns water orange due to iron content and makes the water acidic. This water is commonly referred to as acid mine drainage. Acidic water is damaging to aquatic life and can even be harmful to humans.
A blast during mountaintop removal coal mining on Kayford Mountain in West Virginia. Video clip by Haw River Films.
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Before
Click on a piece of coal
Surface mining in the Appalachian Mountains is most often done using heavy explosives and machinery to remove the tops of mountaintops and ridges, exposing thin seams of coal that lie underneath. The rocks and dirt they remove are piled into valleys, smothering streams. This process is harmful to human health and damages waterways and sensitive ecosystems.
A Virginia mine near the headwaters of the Russell Fork River. Photo by Erin Savage
After removing the coal, companies are supposed to regrade and backfill pits and cliffs left over from mining and replant trees and other vegetation.
A mine in Pike County, Kentucky. Photo by Matt Wasson
Companies are supposed to reclaim mined areas as they go rather than leave all the reclamation to the end. This is another way the law aims to ensure cleanup happens.
Acid mine drainage near a coal preparation plant in Eastern Kentucky. Photo by Matt Hepler
Mining exposes rock layers to air and water, which increases “weathering” or the breakdown of the rock layers. When the rock contains the mineral pyrite, the dissolved pyrite turns water orange due to iron content and makes the water acidic. This water is commonly referred to as acid mine drainage. Acidic water is damaging to aquatic life and can even be harmful to humans.
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A blast during mountaintop removal coal mining on Kayford Mountain in West Virginia. Video clip by Haw River Films.
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Click on a rock
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Outcome A: The mine is reclaimed. The coal company completes reclamation regarding the land and replanting forest. While a blasted mountain can never be fully put back together again, the site is as healthy as can be expected after mining. Mining regulators and interested community members inspect the mine and ensure the company has met the legal requirements. If the company has, they receive their bond back. The quality of mine reclamation can vary while still technically meeting legal requirements.
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Outcome B: The mine becomes a zombie mine. When coal companies begin to struggle financially, often the first thing they do is reduce their mine cleanup work. Unfortunately, no specific federal regulation specifies how long a mine can remain idle or how quickly reclamation must occur. While regulators may try to force companies to complete reclamation, they often do not have adequate enforcement tools and fear pushing the company toward abandoning the mine. So some of these zombie mines have sat unreclaimed for over a decade. This leaves communities at risk of landslides, water contamination and other hazards.
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Outcome C: Mine abandonment. If a coal company abandons its mine, it also forfeits the reclamation bond to the regulatory agency. The state can use the bond money to pay for mine cleanup. In some cases, bonds do not cover actual reclamation costs. As more mines are abandoned, third-party insurers and state bond pools may need help to cover the total amount necessary for cleanup. In addition, nearby residents face safety hazards, and communities downstream may deal with water pollution from the mine.
During the mine reclamation process, coal operators attempt to reconstruct the natural headwater streams that existed before mining. However, water quality and the success of these channels in properly draining the area can vary greatly.
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The Aily Branch Mine in Buchanan County, Virginia. Photo by Willie Dodson
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A man-made stream on a reclaimed mine site in Wise County, Virginia. Photo by Matt Hepler
Runoff flows near this Kentucky mine. Photo by Appalachian Voices
The reclaimed Rabbit Ridge Mine in Virginia has a few hardwood and pine trees. Photo by Matt Hepler
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During
Before
Click on a rock
Outcome A: The mine is reclaimed. The coal company completes reclamation regarding the land and replanting forest. While a blasted mountain can never be fully put back together again, the site is as healthy as can be expected after mining. Mining regulators and interested community members inspect the mine and ensure the company has met the legal requirements. If the company has, they receive their bond back. Therefore, mine reclamation quality can vary while technically meeting legal needs.
Outcome B: The mine becomes a zombie mine. When coal companies begin to struggle financially, often the first thing they do is reduce their mine cleanup work. Unfortunately, no specific federal regulation specifies how long a mine can remain idle or how quickly reclamation must occur. While regulators may try to force companies to complete reclamation, they often do not have adequate enforcement tools and fear pushing the company toward abandoning the mine. So some of these zombie mines have sat unreclaimed for over a decade. This leaves communities at risk of landslides, water contamination and other hazards.
The Aily Branch Mine in Buchanan County, Virginia. Photo by Willie Dodson
Outcome C: Mine abandonment. If a coal company abandons its mine, it also forfeits the reclamation bond to the regulatory agency. The state can use the bond money to pay for mine cleanup. In some cases, bonds do not cover actual reclamation costs. As more mines are abandoned, third-party insurers and state bond pools may need help to cover the total amount necessary for cleanup. In addition, nearby residents face safety hazards, and communities downstream may deal with water pollution from the mine.
Click on a
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There are several possible outcomes after mining.
There are several possible outcomes after mining.
There are several possible outcomes after mining.
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There are several possible outcomes after mining.
The Aily Branch Mine in Buchanan County, Virginia. Photo by Willie Dodson
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Outcome B: The mine becomes a zombie mine. When coal companies begin to struggle financially, often the first thing they do is reduce their mine cleanup work. Unfortunately, no specific federal regulation specifies how long a mine can remain idle or how quickly reclamation must occur. While regulators may try to force companies to complete reclamation, they often do not have adequate enforcement tools and fear pushing the company toward abandoning the mine. So some of these zombie mines have sat unreclaimed for over a decade. This leaves communities at risk of landslides, water contamination and other hazards.
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There are several possible outcomes after mining.
Outcome C: Mine abandonment. If a coal company abandons its mine, it also forfeits the reclamation bond to the regulatory agency. The state can use the bond money to pay for mine cleanup. In some cases, bonds do not cover actual reclamation costs. As more mines are abandoned, third-party insurers and state bond pools may need help to cover the total amount necessary for cleanup. In addition, nearby residents face safety hazards, and communities downstream may deal with water pollution from the mine.
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There are several possible outcomes after mining.
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There are several possible outcomes after mining.
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Runoff flows near this Kentucky mine. Photo by Appalachian Voices
There are several possible outcomes after mining.
During the mine reclamation process, coal operators attempt to reconstruct the natural headwater streams that existed before mining. However, water quality and the success of these channels in properly draining the area can vary greatly.
Runoff flows near this Kentucky mine. Photo by Appalachian Voices
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