Pollution Prevention Opportunities In Coal Mining

For More Information

Bituminous Coal National Lab
500 William Way
Pittsburg, PA
412-826-3030

130 17th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
202-463-2625

Office of Mining
10 Parkway Center
PA 15220
412-937-2862

US Department of the L of Army
2401 E. Street,, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20241
202-634-1263

US EPA
703-821-4800 (Into.)
703-506-1025 (Access)
Health and Effects of Coal Federal Inter an the Health and Department of Energy

MITRE Corp.
August 1979
703-487-4600

Helpful information from U.S. EPA Region III Philadelphia, PA

October 1990

What Can You Do?

This fact sheet lists specific pollution prevention practices that have been successful at a number of coal mining operations. Use this fact sheet along with the "Pollution Prevention Opportunities" fact sheet to gather ideas on how to reduce your wastes.

Improve Operations

• Use stabilization and control technologies to prevent surface and groundwater pollution from ponds, overburden, and coal refuse piles.
  
• Maintain a suitable pH to minimize trace element leaching and the capability of the leachates to solubilize metals.
  
• Use "constructed wetlands"--a new technology proven as successful as wastewater treatment in certain applications involving low flow waste streams. Wetland plants remove metals from mine water by absorption, consumption, and simple filtration.
  
• Increase metal removal through sulfide precipitation by adding bacteria to oxidize iron and manganese and convert sulfates to hydrogen sulfide.
  
• Cover service roads with asphalt or treat with water or approved chemicals. Reclaim and seed mined areas quickly to prevent wind and water erosion.
  
• Retain existing vegetation to the greatest degree possible. Decrease erosion of unstabilized soils by using methods to reduce the velocity of runoff.
  
• Prevent spontaneous combustion in coal and coal refuse piles by keeping the piles as cool as possible and by limiting air infiltration.

Reuse & Recycle

• Recycle machinery lubricating fluids.
  
• Use cloth rags that are washed rather than disposable rags.
  
• Use coal refuse wastes for on-site dams, fill material, etc.
  
• Backfill mines with removed overburden material.