Underground Mine Map (UGMM) Initiative
Underground mine maps provide vital information for engineers, scientists, community and transportation planners, developers, and regulators for making decisions on land use development, property purchase, and environmental protection. In October, 2003 a benchmarking forum was held to identify the then current activities related to underground mine maps. As a result of the workshop, OSMRE developed its UGMM Initiative. During 2005 and 2012, additional benchmarking workshops were hosted by OSMRE and the Interstate Mining Compact Commission (IMCC). These meetings have resulted in a partnership to further the preservation, archiving, and distribution of underground mine maps between OSMRE, IMCC, and in turn, coal mining state agencies. This partnership works together as the UGMM Steering Committee and is coordinated through the IMCC. The UGMM Steering Committee has worked together on cooperative agreements, development of consistencies with regard to the preservation, archiving, and distribution of mine maps, and to provide technology transfer amongst the states with abandoned/active coal mines.
Currently, various stakeholders either own or have access to libraries of hard copy mine maps totaling in the hundreds of thousands. The goal of the UGMM Initiative is to develop a set of best practices for preserving, archiving, and distributing mine maps, as well as seeing this process to fruition. A part of this effort is the identification of practices for geo-referencing and manipulation of electronic maps using standard geospatial tools. These best practices will allow OSMRE and the States to identify resource needs and develop a set of voluntary standards for addressing the need for underground mine maps in a cost effective manner. OSMRE and the States are also looking at options for funding projects and long-term approaches to ensure that maps are available to a broad array of customers.
The UGMM Initiative is supported through annual cooperative efforts between OSMRE and various state agencies in order to maximize the available Applied Science funding, where OSMRE solicits proposals from our state and federal partners and administers awards.
The products of the awards are transferred in digital format to the National Mine Map Repository located in Pittsburgh, PA, and made available to the public.
Solicitation Status
OSMRE may have funding available for Underground Mine Mapping Projects for FY 2017. Please revisit this section for funding updates.
Previous Workshops
- 2005 Underground Mine Map Workshop
June 1-2, 2005; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania- Part 1 - Amy Gilmer, Bob Gibson, Bryan Bunch, Charles Banks, Daniel Kestner and George Gardner
- Part 2 - Jay Deal, JD Higginbotham, John Craynon, John Hiett and John Reitsma
- Part 3 - Joseph Taranto, Larry Wickstrom, Licia Weber, Marco Rajkovich, and Mary Howes
- Part 4 - Mike Dunn, Mike Robinson, Monte Hieb, NY Geological Survey, Nick Ferdorko, PA DEP and Class Roster
- 2003 IMCC/MSHA/OSMRE Benchmarking Workshop on Underground Mine Mapping
October 15-16, 2003; Louisville, Kentucky
FAQs
What is the goal of the UGMM Initiative?
The goal of the UGMM Initiative is to develop a set of best practices for preserving, archiving, and distributing mine maps, as well as seeing this process to fruition.
What is the primary focus for UGMM Initiative project funding?
Preference will be given to those projects that concentrate on underground, abandoned coal mines.
Who is eligible to submit applications for a cooperative agreement for underground mine map projects?
Recipients must be from an official US State or Indian Tribal agency or US. Territory within whose borders underground mining has occurred. Applicants may have partners contributing access to maps, funding, and/or in-kind services.
When does the request to submit applications take place?
The timing of solicitation distribution for underground mine map projects, will vary by fiscal year.
Current partners working on the UGMM Initiative:
- The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
- The Interstate Mining Compact Commission
- State Offices for Miner's Health and Safety
- State Offices for Abandoned Mine Lands
- State Geological Surveys
