OVERVIEW
Abandoned mines with associated acid mine drainage (AMD) discharges are among the greatest threats to ground and surface water quality in many areas of the United States. While mining is extremely important to our standard of living, energy production, and national security, it can disturb the land and alter the hydrologic balance—affecting the quality and quantity of ground and surface waters in the vicinity of mining operations. Most modern mines are now reclaimed during and after completion of mining activities; but prior to the enactment of environmental laws in the 1970s, most abandoned mines were not reclaimed when it was no longer profitable to retrieve the mineral or coal resources.
Abandoned mine sites, along with associated acidic discharges, must be remediated. To optimize remedial work, state officials should use all available funding sources, develop new funding sources, build partnerships, and remove obstacles that prevent third parties from undertaking activities that address groundwater contamination problems. Future mining and reclamation activities must be planned with a critical eye to environmental and ecological circ*mstances, using information that incorporates adequate hydrological data, to prevent creation of new acidic discharges.
Such plans should evaluate the impacts or ramifications of mining before the fact and assist the industry in implementing mitigating measures. States should also adopt full-cost bonding requirements, or an equally effective alternative, to reduce the number of mine sites added to the abandoned mine lands inventory through bankruptcy.
WHY ABANDONED MINES MATTER TO GROUNDWATER
Many abandoned coal mines and hardrock mines emit acid mine drainage. This takes place because the rocks associated with both types of mines often contain metal sulfides, such as pyrite. When the rock or coal deposits are excavated, the sulfides are exposed to water and oxygen, and react to form sulfuric acid. Many surface and underground abandoned mines, and their associated spoil and refuse piles, provide an ongoing source of acid mine drainage and toxic heavy metals that can have long-term devastating impacts on groundwater, community water supplies, rivers, streams, and aquatic life.
From the Ground Water Report to the Nation
Additional Resources:
FAQs
Although a mine may appear abandoned it does belong to someone and trespassing laws do apply. Anyone rescued from an abandoned mine may face criminal trespass charges. Tools, equipment, building materials, and other items on mine sites are not to be taken.
Do abandoned mines fill with water? ›
When a mine is abandoned, it fills with water that is warmed by subsurface heat. This water can be channeled through a heat exchanger within a heat pump.
What is the problem with abandoned mines? ›
Many surface and underground abandoned mines, and their associated spoil and refuse piles, provide an ongoing source of acid mine drainage and toxic heavy metals that can have long-term devastating impacts on groundwater, community water supplies, rivers, streams, and aquatic life.
Can you find gold in a coal mine? ›
Gold occurs as palaeoplacers and in hydrothermal deposits. Gold occurrences reflect rapid erosion of the mineralized orogeny and young provenance of sediment in the coal basins. The disposition of the Variscan Orogen through equatorial latitudes made coal an exceptional reservoir for gold.
Can you keep gold mine if you find it? ›
If you own the mineral rights, you can explore, extract, and sell the gold on your property. First, however, it's essential to comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including obtaining the necessary permits before beginning mining operations.
What state has the most abandoned mines? ›
Nevada is home to the most documented abandoned mines in the nation — nearly 200,000. They encompass everything from small, hand-dug holes miles from the nearest town to large-scale operations near dense population centers with shafts that plunge down hundreds of feet.
What is the number one cause of death in abandoned mines? ›
The leading cause of death at abandoned mines is drowning in water-filled pits and quarries. Steep, slippery walls make it difficult to get out of the water. Old machinery and other hazards beneath the water can injure or trap you.
What is the main pollutant in abandoned mines? ›
Abandoned mining operations can leach iron and other chemicals such as copper, lead and mercury into nearby waterbodies. Active mining operations are considered point sources of pollution.
Do open-pit mines get filled back in? ›
Yes, open-pit mines are often filled back in as part of the reclamation process after mining operations cease.
Can abandoned mines explode? ›
Active and abandoned mines may be housing explosives. These materials can become unstable overtime and explode spontaneously. Explosive housing containers can also leak toxic chemicals. Many mines contain miles of underground tunnel.
Abandoned Mines
Abandoned or inactive mines are generally sites where highly developed exploration, mining, or mine production ceased without rehabilitation.
What lives in abandoned mines? ›
While abandoned mines are dangerous to people, they have become important habitat for wildlife, including bats, tortoises, owls and snakes.
Can you find diamonds in coal? ›
Diamonds are not typically found in coal mines. Diamonds are created deep below the Earth's mantle, in a region known as the lithospheric mantle, at depths of up to 100 miles (160 kilometres). Coal is a sedimentary rock and coal mines do not have the conditions necessary for diamond formation.
What type of rock is gold most commonly found in? ›
Sources. Gold is primarily found as the pure, native metal. Sylvanite and calaverite are gold-bearing minerals. Gold is usually found embedded in quartz veins, or placer stream gravel.
Can you find gold ore with a metal detector? ›
Can Metal Detectors Find Gold? As far as gold-hunting detectors go, there are two types—very low frequency (VLF) and pulse induction (PI). VLF detectors designed to find gold, feature a higher operating frequency than other models in order to offer greater sensitivity to small gold nuggets.
Is exploring abandoned places illegal in the US? ›
The legality of exploring abandoned places in the United States is a bit of a gray area. In general, entering private property without permission is illegal, and many abandoned places are located on private property.
Why do people explore abandoned mines? ›
Mine exploration is a hobby in which people visit abandoned mines, quarries, and sometimes operational mines. Enthusiasts usually engage in such activities for the purpose of exploration and documentation, sometimes through the use of surveying and photography.
Is finding gold illegal? ›
There are public mining areas in many states, and prospecting may allow one to stake a gold placer claim or other type of mining claim in certain areas. Some public lands have been set aside for recreational gold panning. Some private land owners also give permission for small-scale gold mining.
Why is open-pit mining banned? ›
Irreversible Ecological Damage
One of the primary reasons for the ban on open-pit mining is its irreversible damage to ecosystems. The excavation of a single pit can decimate vast swathes of habitat, with the displaced earth destroying flora and fauna.
