PREVENTING COAL WASTE IMPOUNDMENT BREAKTHROUGHS INTO UNDERGROUND MINES: HOW WELL ARE WE DOING?

摘要: On October 11, 2000, an estimated 306 million gallons of water and coal waste slurry drained from impoundment in Martin County, eastern Kentucky into adjacent underground mine. Approximately 230 the discharged two mine portals affected over 75 miles streams West Virginia. In response to this several other similar events, U.S. Office Surface Mining Reclamation Enforcement (OSMRE) commissioned oversight study that evaluates how well state federal regulatory programs established under Control Act are ensuring operators minimizing potential for impoundment-basin breakthroughs. The focuses on impoundments constructed hollows Appalachia where numerous seams steep topography combine result a large number mined intersecting underlying impounding facilities. Factors consideration include: (1) full accounting all mineable impoundment; (2) identification accurate location mines close enough potentially affect its stability; (3) assessment stability barriers between basin mines, roof rock pillars subjacent structure; (4) determination flowability impounded when expanding or undermining facility being considered; (5) measures undertaken reduce breakthrough necessary. began 2012 after program-evaluation criteria were defined OSMRE technical position paper. is scheduled be completed 2017. BACKGROUND