RECLAMATION SUCCESS

Amerikohl Mining, Inc.

Amerikohl Mining, Inc. was nominated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for the Interstate Mining Compact Commission’s Reclamation Award.  This company was recognized for its reclamation work on an unusually challenging site that contained pollutional discharges of acid mine drainage (AMD).  The coal mine referred to as the Leon Mine Site is located in Westmoreland County , Pennsylvania.

In May of 1995, Amerikohl assumed ownership of the site.  A thorough engineering study of the site had been conducted prior to the transfer.  This provided Amerikohl with the information required to carefully design their mining and reclamation plan.  At the time, pollutional discharges had already developed from mining the 39-acre site.  Data on the average water quality prior to treatment indicated the water was acidic, with a pH of 2.6, and contained high amounts of iron, manganese and aluminum.  The fact that the site drains into a popular fishing stream in the area was of significant concern.

 

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The grove of trees seen in the photo surrounds the biggest discharge from the permit area.  During mining, large alkaline rocks were placed around this area for markers.  Along with assuming ownership of the site, Amerikohl now became responsible to fulfill the obligations of the permit.

Amerikohl re-mined the entire first phase of the permit.  The re-exposed material on the pit floor contained iron pyrite which reduced the pH of the water to make it more acidic.  Toxic-forming material and overburden were buried in areas least likely to have groundwater flowing near it.   It was determined that eight to ten feet of alkaline-producing calcareous shales were immediately under the toxic pit floor.  The toxic material was removed and the shales drilled 

and blasted.  Leaving this broken rock as the new pit floor provided an ideal environment for water drainage.  The massive alkaline (basic) environment would counteract the AMD discharge.   Today the water quality of the same discharge is within all permitted parameters - pH of 7.9, and metal concentrations significantly reduced to low values.  The following photograph shows the old treatment basins once used to treat the pollutional discharge.  Samples were taken from this wetland and tested for the water quality parameters.
Mining was completed in three-and-one-half years.  The permit area was reclaimed for use as pasture and forestland, with revegetation completed in early September 1998.  Hay taken from the cuttings were used as mulch on the site.   Today, many people fish in the stream receiving the runoff and discharges from the site.  The study of Amerikohl’s reclamation practices demonstrates mining done in an environmentally responsible manner.

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