Surface Mining
Advertisement




Advertisement




Advertisement




Advertisement




Advertisement




Advertisement




Advertisement




Virginia Spends $23 Million on Reclaiming Abandoned Mine Sites

Published: February 19, 2019 |

[Click image to enlarge]

In an effort to reclaim abandoned mine sites, the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (DMME) has spent upwards of $23 million to improve the Hurley Community of Buchanan County.

The project, beginning in 1981, has sought to rescue to abandoned sites.

By reclaiming the sites the DMME has improved water conditions of over 1,000 residential homes, provided safety, and improved the overall environment.

In an effort to further improve safety for residents, over $60 million has been spent in Buchanan County.

Amidst the DMME, the Abandoned Mine Land program receives federal grant income to repair the effects of coal mining that happened before 1977. The grants come from a tax that is on coal currently being mined.

Public Relations Manager, Tarah Kesterson, said, “These sites often create a lot of problems and put people in danger and can be harmful to the environment.”

Deputy Director Butch Lambert, said, “Safety is our priority at DMME.”

Lambert also said, “We want to ensure our neighbors are protected from historic mining and the folks in our abandoned mine land program put in a lot of effort to make sure the projects with the greatest positive effect take high priority.”

The project has thus far completed $3.2 million of removing dangerous highwalls, $17 million in removing, stabilizing, and preventing landslides, and $1.3 million in restoring 14 miles of stream. Completed projects also include removing dangerous equipment, sealing off historic mine entrances, and stabilizing impoundments.

The program has also used $21 million to replace 1,642 water sources through the county.

“We also have an emergency fund in case something, like a landslide, happens at one of the mine sights,” Kesterson said.

Kesterson also said if anyone sees a historic sight causing problems or proving to be a hazard, to call officials.

For more information contact Kesterson at 276-523-8146

Source: Bluefield Daily Telegraph


Be in-the-know when you’re on-the-go!

FREE eNews delivery service to your email twice-weekly. With a focus on lead-driven news, our news service will help you develop new business contacts on an on-going basis.
CLICK HERE to register your email address.

Advertisement




Advertisement




Advertisement




Advertisement




Advertisement




Advertisement




Advertisement