More coal is extracted using area mining than by any other technique. Much of the coal which is mined by this method is found in the western and midwestern states, often beneath good farmland. This is a typical view of area mining before the Surface Mining Law required environmentally sound mining practices and reclamation of the land. Click on the red numbers for a description of what is happening, or here for an 8 1/2" x 11" higher resolution copy of the illustration that you can print on a laser printer and color.
Key Area mining Before the Surface Mining Law
1. Overburden from the initial mining is dumped in a heap at the edge of the operation. Top soil has been buried beneath the heap or mixed in with the rock overburden. Without topsoil grasses and trees do not grow and the overburden pile is exposed to natural elements. The wind blows dust throughout the surrounding area and each rain storm causes the steep sides of the pile to erode.
2. Sediment that is running off the overburden pile has clogged roadside ditches and culverts and is polluting nearby streams. Before the Surface Mining Law was passed, this off site impact was not the responsibility of the mine operator.
3.The dragline removes both the topsoil and overburden from the coal seam in one operation. If acid-forming rock is encountered it is mixed with the overburden and will cause acid mine drainage in the future.
4. Overburden cast by the dragline forms a hill and dale character that will be left when the mining operation is completed. This rough topography eliminates future use of the land.
5. A backhoe digs a diversion that will reroute the stream that is in the way of the mining operation. This keeps the water out of the pit during mining; but, will result in long term bank erosion, downstream flooding, and water pollution. The stream will not be reclaimed.
6. A tributary stream is already being mine through, resulting in some back flow into the pit. As the mine progresses this stream tributary will be permanently eliminated.
7. A drill rig is preparing holes for explosives used to blast the overburden loose. With uncontrolled blasting rock is cast long distances causing damage and potential safety hazards. In addition, extensive blasting has disrupted the groundwater flow and nearby springs and farm wells have become unreliable.
8. This resident living next to the mining operation has had his house hit by large rocks from the blasting, lost his long time natural source of water and has been awaken in the middle of the night by blasting very close to his house. He is afraid to sit in his backyard since he does not know when the blasting will occure and without reclamation of the land his property value will be reduced.
9. In areas where the overburden contains acid forming rock, pools of acid mine drainage begin to collect. In addition, this unrestored land results in permanent loss of farmland and will continue to erode and be a source of sediment and acid drainage to nearby streams for years after the mining is completed.
10. The maintenance yard and refuse dump will be left after the mining operation. This will cause an eyesore and a safety nuisance to both the neighbors and anyone driving along the road.
