Today’s active mining industry is a key partner in helping Pennsylvania heal the scars of past mining practices. Today’s miners are reclaiming more abandoned mine land in Pennsylvania annually than all state and federal programs combined. Remining operations reclaimed nearly 5,000 acres in 1999. Pennsylvania is faced with a tremendous environmental and public safety liability from decades of unregulated mining, but today industry is part of the solution.
Our reclamation efforts received a historic boost in 1999 when Gov. Tom Ridge signed "Growing Greener," which invests nearly $650 million over five years to protect and restore our environment. This investment is not only the Commonwealth’s largest financial commitment to help restore watersheds and reclaim abandoned mines, but also is an opportunity for today’s industry to partner with volunteers and watershed groups to maximize reclamation. Pennsylvania’s quarter-million acres of abandoned mine land cannot be reclaimed by government and volunteers alone. We need the continued support of the active industry to meet our reclamation goals.
While doing its part to reclaim abandoned sites, industry also enjoyed a strong year of production in 1999 through responsible and environmentally sensitive mining practices. Coal and industrial minerals production was more than 246 million tons in 1999. While both anthracite and bituminous coal production fell in 1999, a robust state and national economy is driving industrial minerals production to new heights – more than 167 million tons were mined in 1999, as compared to 113 million tons in 1996.
Sadly, we were also reminded of the dangers of mining this past year, as three miners lost their lives in mining-related accidents. There were tragedies in the anthracite, bituminous and industrial minerals sectors. A fatality at an underground mine ended a record 890 days without a fatality in the bituminous coal field.
In light of these unfortunate events, DEP’s Bureau of Deep Mine Safety is helping Pennsylvania’s miners work safer than ever. Since 1997, workers’ lost time due to accidents has steadily decreased. The bureau is partnering with industry, labor and the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration to train workers, promote trust and ensure compliance to maintain the health and safety of our miners.
While overall production has been steadily declining in the anthracite region, operators have continued to help with the recovery of Pennsylvania’s scarred landscape through the reprocessing of coal refuse. In recent years, the majority of production in the anthracite coal field has been refuse reprocessing, and 1999 was no exception. More than three million tons of coal refuse were reprocessed, removing environmental hazards.
The face of mining has changed dramatically throughout the past century. Building on the success of 1999, Pennsylvania’s mining community faces a future of partnerships and productivity while mining safely and with care for our environment.
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Bureaus of Mining and Reclamation, District Mining Operations and Deep Mine Safety are responsible for the administration of the environmental regulatory and safety programs related to the surface and underground mining activities of coal and industrial minerals. These responsibilities include licensing, permitting, bonding, inspection, compliance, pollution prevention advocacy, enforcement and blaster certification.
The Bureau of Mining and Reclamation is responsible for developing new policies, procedures and regulations for surface and underground mines. The Bureau of District Mining Operations is responsible for implementing these policies, procedures and regulations through its six district mining offices in Ebensburg, Greensburg, Hawk Run, Knox, McMurray and Pottsville.
The Bureau of Deep Mine Safety is responsible for regulating the occupational health and safety programs for underground miners. These responsibilities include underground safety inspections, underground electrical inspections, equipment approvals, accident investigations, certification of miners and mine officials, emergency response, training and engineering services. The bureau has four divisions and four mine rescue stations. It maintains offices in Uniontown, Pottsville, Ebensburg and Tremont.
ANTHRACITE HIGHLIGHTS
Total anthracite production was 5,635,251 tons, down 25 percent from 1998. Refuse bank production fell by 29 percent. Although DEP issued five new coal refuse reprocessing permits for the second consecutive year, total operating refuse reprocessing sites fell by 15, a 29 percent decrease from 1998, for a total of 36 sites. Refuse reprocessing employees decreased by 51 for a total of 416.
Underground anthracite production fell to 311,512 tons in 1999, a decrease of 24 percent. Two new underground permits were issued in 1999, whereas none were issued in 1998. Operating deep mines fell to 22, down from 38 in 1998. Total employees decreased by 65 to 181.
Surface production decreased by 18 percent for a total of 1,964,577 tons. Only seven new surface mining permits were issued in 1999, as compared to 43 in 1998. Operating anthracite surface mines totaled 47, down 18 from 1998. Total employees decreased by 129 to 632. DEP estimates that approximately 90 percent of all operating anthracite surface mines continue to be related to some type of remining activity.
Unfortunately, one miner was killed at an anthracite surface mine in Schuylkill County in May due to the collapse of an unstable slope. There were no fatalities in underground anthracite mines in 1999.
The overall number of permitted anthracite mining facilities requiring inspections decreased by 10 for a total of 366 sites. Total inspections of the sites increased by 23 for a total of 4,436 inspections. Violations cited during these inspections increased by 87 percent over 1998 to 235.
BITUMINOUS HIGHLIGHTS
After increasing for five consecutive years, total bituminous coal production fell in 1999. Total production was 75,094,596 tons, down
six percent from 1998. Underground mining operations produced 58,966,141 tons, a four percent decrease from 1998. After issuing none in 1998, DEP issued five new underground mining permits in 1999, yet the number of operating mines decreased by two to 51. Underground mines employed 4,775 people in 1999, which is 213 less than in 1998.
Surface bituminous production in 1999 was 14,271,783 tons, decreasing 14 percent from 1998. Ninety-two new surface mining permits were issued in 1999, as compared to 36 in 1998. Operating surface mines decreased by 83 for a total of 363, and total employees decreased by 361 to 2,158. DEP estimates that approximately 60 percent of all operating bituminous surface mines involve some remining activities.
Unfortunately, there was one fatality at an underground mine in Armstrong County in December due to a roof collapse, ending a record 890 days without a fatality in bituminous underground operations. There were no fatalities at any bituminous surface mines.
The overall number of permitted bituminous mining facilities requiring inspections decreased by three for a total of 1,988 sites. Total inspections also decreased to 21,312 in 1999, a decrease of three percent from 1998. Violations cited during these inspections decreased 151 to 754.
INDUSTRIAL MINERALS HIGHLIGHTS
Total production from industrial minerals sites was 138,942,416 tons, up 8 percent from 1998. Underground production decreased 37 percent for a total of 5,009,305 tons, while surface production increased 11 percent for a total of 133,933,111 tons. The continued increase in production can be attributed to healthy state and federal economies, which result in a higher demand for construction projects requiring industrial minerals, such as highway construction.
The number of operating underground mines decreased from 10 in 1998 to five in 1999. However, for the first time since 1996, one new underground mining permit was issued. The number of employees increased by 96 to 459.
In 1999, DEP issued 165 new surface mining permits, compared to 182 in 1998. The number of operating surface mines increased by 31 percent for a total of 1,061 mines, while total employees increased by 35 percent to 6,273.
Unfortunately, there was one fatality at a quarry in Lancaster County in December due to flyrock from a blast. There were no fatalities in any underground industrial minerals mines in 1999.
The overall number of permitted industrial minerals mining operations requiring inspections increased by 88 for a total of 2,014 sites. Total inspections performed at these sites increased by 10 percent for a total of 4,724. Violations cited during these inspections increased by 45 percent to 170.
MINING REGULATIONS AND INITIATIVES
As part of an ongoing four-year effort by DEP to update and improve Pennsylvania’s surface mining regulatory program, DEP announced the development of a full-cost bonding program for land reclamation for surface coal mines. The full-cost bonding program will set bond amounts on a site-specific basis, rather than using a flat per-acre fee for every mining site, and is designed to ensure complete land reclamation in the event of bond forfeitures and to eliminate flaws and deficits in the current Alternative Bonding System. When implemented, the bond requirements will fully reflect the true cost to complete reclamation for individual sites.
DEP produced its first report on the surface impacts of underground coal mining on buildings, water supplies and streams, as required by the 1994 amendments to the state’s Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conservation Act (Act 54). Under the act, underground mine operators are responsible for repairing or compensating for damage they cause to surface structures and must also replace water supplies lost or contaminated due to mining. DEP surveyed the owners of 1,884 properties in 10 western Pennsylvania counties that could have been affected by underground mining between August 1993 and August 1998. The information reported by landowners showed that no damage could be documented from underground mining on two-thirds of the properties in the study area. However, many of the cases where damage was reported are still pending under the procedures in Act 54 and have not been permanently resolved.
In 1999, the Bureau of Mining and Reclamation completed efforts to amend its regulations under Gov. Ridge’s Regulatory Basic Initiative (RBI). The purpose of RBI was to assure that state requirements are no more stringent than standards imposed by federal law unless there is a compelling reason for Pennsylvania; to minimize costs to the regulated community; to encourage performance or outcome-based requirements; and to ensure information is prepared in clear and concise language.
The bureau’s efforts resulted in five major amendments to the regulations included in Pa. Code 25, Chapters 77, 86, 87, 88, 89 and 90. One set of amendments related to general permitting for industrial minerals mining, while the other four dealt specifically with coal mining and involved coal mine permitting and performance standards, Small Operators Assistance Program (SOAP) and areas unsuitable for mining. The amendments to the coal mining regulations were reviewed and commented on by the Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board (MRAB). Additionally, the bureau revised 26 of its technical documents and rescinded 57 technical guidances as part of its RBI efforts.
On Dec. 15, 1999, Gov. Ridge signed "Growing Greener" into law, marking the largest environmental investment in the history of the Commonwealth. "Growing Greener" invests nearly $650 million over five years to address Pennsylvania’s critical environmental priorities. Included in this initiative is additional funding for abandoned mine reclamation and watershed restoration. The implementation of "Growing Greener" significantly advances Pennsylvania’s efforts to achieve reclamation of its abandoned mine legacy.
The passage of "Growing Greener" strongly supports the program objectives of Reclaim PA, an environmental program aimed at maximizing reclamation of the Commonwealth’s quarter-million acres of abandoned mine lands. Announced by Gov. Ridge in October 1998, Reclaim PA comprises 18 legislative, policy and management initiatives designed to enhance mine operator, volunteer and DEP abandoned mine land reclamation efforts.
Reclaim PA has four objectives:
- To encourage private and public participation in abandoned mine reclamation efforts;
- To improve reclamation efficiency through better communication between reclamation partners;
- To increase reclamation by reducing remining risks and costs; and
- To maximize reclamation funding by expanding existing sources and exploring new sources.
1999 was marked by the continued efforts of DEP’s Office of Mineral Resources Management to further implement Reclaim PA. One of those program initiatives, Environmental Good Samaritan Legislation, was signed into law along with "Growing Greener" on Dec. 15. This law protects landowners and individuals who perform volunteer reclamation or water pollution abatement from civil or environmental liability. Under another program initiative, DEP signed an agreement for the first Government-Financed Construction Contract on Oct. 25 to reclaim 16 acres of abandoned mine land in Jefferson County.
Remining is a major focus of Reclaim PA. Several program initiatives focus on ways to make it easier for mine operators to remine and reclaim previously mined land at no cost to the Commonwealth. Through Reclaim PA, DEP is implementing measures to provide financial incentives to operators who engage in remining, reduce the risks associated with remining and decrease the paperwork needed to begin remining.
The mining industry continued to be an active reclamation partner in 1999, reclaiming 4,950 acres through remining permits issued by DEP’s District Mining Offices. Remining continues to be the most efficient way to reclaim abandoned mine lands, and it is done at no cost to the citizens of Pennsylvania. In recent years, the active industry has consistently reclaimed approximately three times more acres of abandoned mine land annually than DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, which funds projects with state and federal moneys.
DEP continues to encourage remining by other means. The Remining Operator’s Assistance Program (ROAP) provides financial assistance to surface coal mine operators who are willing to reclaim abandoned mine lands. To date, ROAP has provided assistance on 39 projects at an incentive value of approximately $670,572.
DEP also offers other remining incentives, such as financial guarantees to qualified mine operators to cover the bonding on their remining sites. In 1999, DEP issued 63 individual financial guarantees worth $2,125,020 to provide incentives for operators to reclaim 892.4 "remine acres". Another program provides mine operators with bond credits in exchange for the reclamation of abandoned mine lands. Since the bond credit program was authorized in 1996, three mine operators have completed three Bond Credit projects worth $105,497, by reclaiming 16.2 acres of abandoned mine land that included dangerous highwalls and water-filled pits.
DEEP MINE SAFETY PROGRAMS
DEP’s Bureau of Deep Mine Safety oversees the occupational safety hazards of underground mining and trains miners to work safely. In addition, the bureau certifies miners who qualify to perform certain underground jobs, inspects underground mines, investigates accidents and approves mining equipment. The bureau performed 1,292 mine inspections in 1999 and trained 7,664 miners at 495 mining operations, which included both underground and certain surface operations. Training was conducted by bureau instructors and through contractual agreements by instructors at Pennsylvania State University, California University of Pennsylvania, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Schuylkill County Vocational/Technical School. Training addressed mine rescue, emergency response, first aid/CPR, gas detection, ventilation, blasting awareness, battery safety, electrical safety, mine emergency preparedness, lockout/tagout and oxygen acetylene use. Annual safety refresher training under Federal Parts 48, 75 and 77 also was provided. Throughout 1999, the bureau granted 332 certifications, and issued 186 equipment approvals and 307 plan approvals.
The bureau investigated 143 mining accidents throughout the year, up from 62 in 1998. The bureau investigated each accident to determine the factors that contributed to the accidents and also the future measures needed to prevent similar accidents. In 1999, there was a reduction in the accident frequency rates for all segments of the underground mining industry. The accident frequency rate is a measure of the number of "lost-time" accidents related to the number of person hours worked.
The bureau also is involved in outreach activities about the dangers of both active and abandoned mines. In 1999, the bureau joined a partnership with other federal and state agencies, labor unions and trade associations in a national mine safety campaign, called "Stay Out - Stay Alive", sponsored by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The focus of the campaign is to educate the public, particularly children, about mine hazards.
Throughout the year, the Bureau of Deep Mine Safety also continued to provide administrative support to the Pennsylvania Bituminous Mine Safety Advisory Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment.
Unfortunately, 1999 was marked by one fatality related to mining activities at an underground bituminous coal mine. There were no fatalities in underground anthracite mines or underground industrial minerals mines. A record 890 days without a fatality in underground bituminous mines ended on Dec. 22, when one miner was killed due to a roof collapse. 1999 also marks the fourth consecutive year that no miners lost their lives in underground industrial minerals mines.
