Coal Remining: One Way to Clean Up Acid Drainage?

Acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines is the biggest water-quality problem in the Appalachian states. Many abandoned mines also contain significant reserves of coal that can be extracted with modern "remining" techniques.

On July 27, 2001, EPA released the data and comments it collected over the past year on its proposal to establish Clean Water Act effluent limitations guidelines on remining operations. Based on comments received to date, the agency is weighing changes to its original proposal, and is seeking additional public input. EPA expects to publish a final rule by the end of 2001.

Get this newly released info and learn more about your state's coal remining potential: John Tinger, EPA Engineering and Analysis Division, 202-260-4992. Release.

• EPA background.
• Office of Surface Mining: Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System, and Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation program (with map showing US abandoned mines). Photos of various remining projects.