Residents Warned to Stay Clear of Abandoned Coal Mines

Residents Warned to Stay Clear of Abandoned Coal Mines

Washington — While enjoying the great outdoors this summer, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is reminding residents to stay out of abandoned coal mines that you may happen upon.

Across the country, there are thousands of abandoned coal mine sites.

Abandoned sites are dangerous and contain features with the potential to be extremely hazardous. Coal mine subsidence can create openings to underground workings that may be obscured by overgrown vegetation. Mine entries often contain dangerous gasses.

Open shafts are vertical mine openings that can extend hundreds of feet to the lower level of a mine. Open shafts can be concealed by mine debris, dirt, rock, vegetation and even water.

Deadly gases and lack of oxygen can be present in abandoned mines that are not ventilated. Pockets of methane, carbon dioxide, and other deadly gases can form. These pockets of gas may be volatile or simply displace oxygen with no visible sign.

For your safety, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement says do not explore it; stay out and stay alive. If you hear or see a person or animal trapped in a mine feature, do not attempt a rescue. Call for help.

To report the location of an abandoned coal mine land feature, send an email to Philip Rodney Baker, supervisory program specialist at pbaker@osmre.gov