Mining and Quarrying

 Coal Mine  Quarry

 Mining vs. Quarrying
 - Though the words "mining" and "quarrying"
often are used interchangeably, they are
separate words with separate but closely related
meanings.
 - Mining, strictly speaking, is the practice of
extracting minerals from pits or excavations.
Quarrying is the surface-mining of limestone,
sandstone and other materials.
 Mining
Many rocks and minerals must be
mined in order to extract the valuable
elements they contain
Geologists use the term “ORE” to
describe a mineral deposit large
enough and pure enough to be mined
for a profit.
An Introduction to Coal Mining
 What is Coal?
 Coal is a combustible, black sedimentary
rock composed predominantly of carbon.
It is formed out of plant matter that
accumulated at the bottom of swamps
millions of years ago, during the
Carboniferous Period. At this time, the
earth's climate was extremely favorable
for plant growth.
 How Did Coal Form?
 Organic matter accumulated in stagnant
swamps which were low in oxygen and
thus inhibited decomposition. Eventually,
seas rose or the land subsided and the
swamps were submerged. Sand, clay and
other debris at the bottom of the seas
buried the organic material.
 How Did Coal Form?
 Over thousands of years, the organic
material was compacted under the
weight of the overlying sediments and
was transformed into coal (Figure 1).
Coal deposits are now found buried
beneath layers of sandstone,
limestone and shale all over the world.
 How Does Coal Form?

Peat

Lignite
Bituminous
Anthractite
Where Coal is Found in the
United States
Where Coal is Found in Pennsylvania
Where Coal is Found in Pennsylvania

 Anthracite Coal
Fields in Eastern
Pennsylvania
Coal and Its Use
 - Last year 93% of mined
coal is used by electric
utility companies.
 - Coal is also used to make
plastic and steel.
 - Coal can be burned just
as it comes from the
ground or converted into
liquid and used in
traditional gasoline
engines.
Mining Coal
 - Last year 67% of the
coal was produced
from surface mines
and 33% from
underground mines.

 - In the last 20 years

mines have become
larger but fewer in
number.
Coal Mine Productivity by Type
2008-2013
U.S. Coal Production by Type 2013
Early Coal Mining in U.S.
Early Coal Mining in U.S.
Early Coal Mining in U.S.
Early Coal Mining in U.S.
Early Coal Mining in U.S.
Early Coal Mining in U.S.
Modern Coal Mining in U.S.
 Types of Mining
 The mining method used to extract a particular
mineral deposit depends on the type of deposit
and the economics involved with extraction
 When the deposit occurs in veins or beds that
extend deep into the Earth’s crust or when the
overburden (overlying soil and rocks) is very
thick, underground mining methods are
required. When the deposits are near the
surface, surface mining methods such as open
pit or quarrying may be most efficient.
 Types of Modern Mining
Surface Mining
 Surface Mining is accomplished
by the removal of overburden
from the coal seam and then
blasting and removing the coal.
Area surface mines are usually
located in flat terrains, while
contour mining occurs in
mountainous terrain and follows
the coal seam along the side of
a the hill. Open pit mining is
usually found where coal seams
are think, reaching depths of
several hundred feet.
Surface Mining Equipment
Dragline
Surface Mining Equipment
Large Capacity Dump Truck
 Types of Modern Coal Mining

Underground Mining
 This drawing depicts the three types of underground
mines – shaft mines, slope mines, and drift mines. The
decision of what type of mine to construct depends on
the depth of the coal seam and the surrounding terrain.
 Almost all underground mines are less than 1000 feet
deep, but some mines reach depths of 2000 feet.
 Types of Underground Mining
 Most underground coal
is mined by the room
and pillar method,
whereby rooms are cut
into the coal bed
leaving a series of
pillars, or columns of
coal, to help support
the mine roof and
control the flow of air.
Underground Mining Equipment
Continuous Mining Machine
Underground Mining Equipment
Coal Conveyors
Underground Mining Equipment
Coal Conveyors
 Coal Mining in Pennsylvania
 Coal mining in PA began in
the mid-1700’s and fueled
the colonial iron industry
 PA is now the 4th largest coal
producer
 Two kinds of coal are mined
in PA – anthracite and
Bituminous
 Over 64.5 million tons of
bituminous coal were mined
in 2006 and 1.5 tons of
anthracite.
 Bituminous Coal Mining in PA
 10 billion tons of Bituminous
Coal have been produced in
PA during over 200 years of
mining
 Geologic history in PA
resulted in nearly flat layers
of bituminous coal deposits
in western PA. In between
layers of coal are layers of
sandstone, shale, and
limestone
Bituminous Coal in PA
 Anthracite Coal Mining in PA
 All of the nation’s
anthracite coal is found in
eastern PA.
 Anthracite coal seams are
locked in the folded layers
of rock that make up the
geology of northeastern
PA.
 The geology often made it
difficult to mine.
Anthracite Coal in PA
 Anthracite Coal in PA
 Anthracite production in PA reached
its peak in 1917 when more than 100
million tons of coal were mined from
underground operations in the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton region.
 Large scale underground mining
essentially ended in 1959 when in
this region as a result of the Knox
Mine Flood.
 The Susquehanna River literally
disappeared into the mines. The
Lehigh Valley Railroad was relocated
to move 30 rail cars and 400 mine
cars to plug the hole caused by the
breakthrough.
Environmental Problems
 Coal mining disturbs large
quantities of land and can cause
severe environmental problems
if they are not addressed.
Erosion can cause streams to
become clogged with sediment.
Top soil can be lost. Sulfur-
bearing (Pyrite) rocks can cause
acid mine drainage. And, if left
unreclaimed, a mine can leave
dangerous highwalls and many
years of off site pollution
problems. The photo to the left
looks like typical farmland;
however, just five years before it
was an active surface mine that
has been reclaimed.
 Regulating Coal Mining to
Prevent Environmental Problems
 The Surface Mining
Control and  Acid Mine Drainage
Reclamation Act of
1977, the law that
regulates coal mining
throughout the country,
established a
coordinated effort
between the states and
the federal government
to prevent the abuses
that had characterized
surface coal mining in
the past.
 Regulating Coal Mining to
Prevent Environmental Problems
 The Law provides authority to
 Mine Tailings regulate active coal mining and
fund reclamation of abandoned
mine problems. In addition,
Congress recognized that
mining could damage unique
cultural and natural resources
and the Law prohibits mining
that would destroy them. The
Law also provides citizens with
special responsibilities in
carrying out the enforcement.
 What is Acid Mine Drainage?
 AMD results when the mineral pyrite (FeS2) is
exposed to air and water, resulting in the formation of
sulfuric acid and iron hydroxide
FeS2 + O2 + H2O Fe(OH)3 + H2SO4

 Pyrite is commonly present in coal seams and in the

rock layers overlying coal seams. AMD formation
occurs during surface mining when the overlying rocks
are broken and removed to get to the coal. It can also
occur in deep mines which allow the entry of oxygen to
pyrite-bearing coal seams
 What is Acid Mine Drainage?
 The products of AMD formation, acidity and iron, can
devastate water resources by lowering the pH and
coating stream bottoms with iron hydroxide, forming
the familiar orange colored “yellow boy” common in
areas with AMD.
 Many areas also naturally occurring limestone
(CaCO3) deposits which neutralizes acidity.
 The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
cannot issue a permit for new coal mining where it is
determined mining will cause acid mine drainage.
Acid Mine Drainage
 Acid Mine Drainage

Yellow boy
in a stream
receiving
acid
drainage
from surface
coal mining.
Reclaiming Mined Areas
 In addition to regulating
active mines the Surface
Mining Law provides funding
to reclaim mines abandoned
before passage of the Law.
Funding for this reclamation
program comes from a tax
paid by active mine operators
on each ton of coal mined.
Since there are so many
abandoned mine problems,
those that pose a danger to
the health and safety of
people are given the highest
priority for reclamation.The
photo below shows a very
dangerous abandoned mine
opening.
Pre-Surface Mining Law Photos (1977)
 Mining without reclamation
This site was mined and left
unreclaimed in the early 1970's. It
was a contour mine that followed
the coal outcrop around the
mountain. The mine operator only
excavated into the hillside about 100
feet, the point where it was
uneconomical for him to remove the
overburden with bulldozers. After
the coal was removed, bench auger
mining was done to remove some of
the coal behind the highwall (auger
holes can be seen along the coal
seam). Water draining from these
auger holes and the surface above
the mine can be seen collecting on
the bench and creating an unstable
condition that is likely to cause a
landslide
Pre-Surface Mining Law Photos (1977)
 Scars across the mountains
Before the Surface Mining Law
was passed in 1977, mile upon
mile of bare highwalls scarred
the Appalachian skyline, as
shown in this Tennessee scene.
In addition to the visual
destruction of this mountainous
landscape the spoil that was
pushed downslope from the
mining operation quickly eroded
and destroyed the streams and
rivers below the mine. When left,
unreclaimed mining operations
like this were a safety hazard
and a long term threat to the
natural environment.
Pre-Surface Mining Law Photos (1977)
 Typical Pre Surface Mining
Law view of the coal fields
This scene, typical of East
Tennessee surface coal
mining in the early 1970's
shows an unreclaimed
contour mine. The mine
operator followed the coal
seam around the mountain
pushing the overburden
down the hillside. Without
any reclamation the
dangerous unstable highwall
remained exposed and the
disturbed soil and
overburden was left to erode
and pollute nearby streams
Reclaimed Mine Photos
Reclaimed Mine Photos
 Reclaimed surface mine
This productive pasture
land in Central Ohio was
once a coal mine. After
mining was completed the
land was reclaimed and
restored to long-term
productive use. This is a
dramatic difference from
the post-mining
landscape before the law
was passed in 1977, and a
scene where is it is
difficult to identify the
reclaimed site from the
natural landscape.
 Local Reclamation Success
(Swatara Creek Watershed)
 An abandoned coal mine
reclamation project in Schuylkill
County, Pennsylvania, has
restored state game lands and
transformed environmental and
public safety hazards into a
wildlife paradise. The site was
characterized by dangerous
highwalls, large spoil piles and
acid mine drainage. The area
was dangerous for hunters, an  Prior to the reclamation
eyesore for the community, and project, steep highwalls
an environmental liability. and water filled pits posed
a major safety hazard
 Local Reclamation Success
(Swatara Creek Watershed)
 The restoration of the game lands
reclaimed 160 acres of abandoned
surface mines from the World War
II era. When the entire site was
completed in Spring 2001, more
than 833,000 cubic yards of
material were graded to backfill old
strip pits ranging from 20 to 80 feet
deep. The reclamation of the site
eliminated dangerous mine
openings and more than 98,200  Acid Mine Drainage
from the old mine
linear feet of dangerous highwalls.
was polluting the
watershed
 Local Reclamation Success
(Swatara Creek Watershed)
 Wetlands were created
at the site to treat acid
mine drainage - part of a
comprehensive plan
consisting of other mine
drainage remediation
projects to restore the
 More than 833,00 cubic
Swatara Creek yards of on-site material
watershed. were graded to backfill
the old strip pits
 Local Reclamation Success
(Swatara Creek Watershed)
 The Department developed
specifications for
revegetating the area in
conjunction with the
Pennsylvania Game
Commission. Trees
recovered during the
clearing and grubbing of the
area were used to create
long, narrow brush piles for  Ditches lined with
limestone were created to
rabbits, groundhogs and capture runoff and treat acid
other wildlife. mine damage
 Local Reclamation Success
(Swatara Creek Watershed)
 Several types of clovers
now provide wildlife food
and a "bugging area" for
birds. The remainder of
the area was seeded
with warm season
grasses providing
nesting cover for a  The once abandoned
area is now a wildlife
variety of wildlife. paradise.
Quarrying in Pennsylvania
 Quarrying: Overview
 The process is
simple: Make big
rocks into little rocks.
 Crushed stone and
sand and gravel are
the main types of
natural aggregate
used in the United
States
 Local Quarries: Pennsy Supply
 Pennsy Supply operates
eight quarries that
produce high-quality
crushed stone, sand and
high calcium limestone.
Their 11 manufacturing
facilities to turn
aggregate in the quality
blacktop and concrete
Local Quarries: Pennsy Supply
Local Quarries: Pennsy Supply
 Quarrying: Site Selection
 Producers who expect a return
on their investment in personnel
and equipment must understand
the basics of evaluating
deposits, obtaining permits,
removing overburden and
beginning the operation.
 Rule number one is to determine
whether there is ample product
to be mined and whether
stripping and handling costs will
weaken the profit potential of the
product.
 Quarrying: Drilling
 Drilling is often the
most critical element
of the drilling and
blasting process.
 Quarrying: Blasting
 Maximum profitability
depends largely on good
blasting. Consider that
drilling and blasting are the
first unit operations
performed in any open pit.
Therefore, the results of
these operations will affect
more down line activities,
such as loading, hauling
and crushing, than any
other unit operation.
 Quarrying: Loading/Excavating
 The backhoe loader is
one of the most versatile
pieces of equipment at
the jobsite. From digging
trenches to cleaning up
debris, the backhoe
loader is well-suited to
handle a variety of
different jobs.
 Quarrying: Loading/Excavating
 Front-end loaders,
also referred to as
wheel loaders, are
used to pick up
blasted material from
the quarry face. They
can be used to deliver
material to a haul
truck or directly load it
into a crusher or
screening unit.
 Quarrying: Hauling
 Today's haul trucks
completely eclipse those
of years gone by. With
increased payloads,
horsepower, torque and
computing power, these
trucks not only increase
productivity but also
cost-per-ton.
 Quarrying: Crushing/Breaking
 The industry is moving
toward larger primary
crushers as production
capacity objectives
increase.
 The proper selection of
primary crushers in a
limestone aggregate
plant is extremely
important.
 Quarrying: Handling/Conveying
 A typical plant system may
include conveyors, belts and
accessories, feeders, vibrators,
hoists, elevators, pneumatic
pumps and equipment. As the
material-handling process goes
along, weighing equipment,
packaging machinery, trucks,
railroad cars and bulk-storage
equipment come into play.
 Quarrying: Screening
 Aggregate producers
who know the ins and
outs of screening can
achieve three important
goals: maximization of
production efficiency,
minimization of
downtime, and
ultimately increased
profitability.
 Quarrying: Washing/Classifying
 Washing is required
to remove dust that is
created in the
crushing stage.
 Quarrying: Weighing/Loadout
 Truck scales are an
integral part of a quarry
operation. Controlling
inventory, knowing the
value of the transaction
and the ability to ship the
maximum possible load
without exceeding
highway weight limits are
all benefits of a good
scale.
 Quarrying: Reclamation
 There are many potential
end uses for an exhausted
pit or quarry. These include
land preparation for
commercial or residential
building, construction of
recreational facilities, with
the water-filled pit
accommodating swimmers
and boaters, or land
conditioning to provide a
home and breeding ground
for wildlife.