Pollution Control for Mining and
Processing of Indiana Coal
RICHARD A. WOODLEY, Chief
SAMUEL L. MOORE, Assistant Engineer
Industrial Waste Section
Division of Sanitary Engineering
Indiana State Board of Health
Indianapolis, Indiana
SUMMARY
Coal mining is the leading mineral industry in Indiana. In 1963, about 72
per cent of Indiana coal was mined by surface operations. Prior to 1930, underground mining produced the majority of Indiana coal. Pollution has resulted from
both surface and underground mines. It was estimated in 1964 that a minimum of
300 miles of Indiana streams is affected by mine drainage.
In 1963, the Indiana Stream Pollution Control Board's Mine Drainage Control
Regulation, SPC 3, became effective. The purpose of the Regulation is to control
mine drainage and, specifically, to prohibit the use of acid-producing material
in the construction of public or private roadways. The Indiana Stream Pollution
Control Law grants the Board power to require sealing of mines.
Pollution from surface mines, underground mines, and coal processing plants
is being controlled. Some of the. control measures are: flooding final surface mine
excavations, diversion of run-off from active mine operations, rapid conveyance
of precipitation and seepage waters from mining operations, disposal of acid-
producing refuse in surface mine excavations, clarification of coal wash water in
settling ponds, reuse of coal wash waters, soil coverage of acid-producing refuse
disposal sites, and soil coverage of roads which contain acid-producing material.
Problems still exist at a few abandoned surface and underground mines. Adequate pollution control for acid sandstone overburden has not been established.
TERMINOLOGY LEGEND
This paper will use technically correct terminology:
Previous Designation New Terminology
Strip Mine Surface mine
Pit Excavation
Spoil Cast overburden
Gob Acid-producing refuse
Gob dump Refuse disposal site
INTRODUCTION
Mining of coal began early in Indiana history. As pioneers occupied the
southwest section of the state, coal was mined for local use. Commercial coal
mining developed during the period 1812-1850 when coal mines were opened in
Perry,  Pike,  Vigo and Warrick Counties.    The early mining operations utilized
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