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This page provides information on the U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining, Mine Map Repositories located in Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The repositories serve as reference facilities for information on abandoned surface and underground mines throughout the United States.
The Office of Surface Mining was established by Congress with passage of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), Public Law 95-87, in 1977. In that law, Congress sought to establish a nationwide program to protect society and the environment from the adverse effects of surface and underground coal mining operations, and assure that the coal supply essential to the Nation’s energy requirements and to its economic and social well-being is provided. The Mine Map Repositories exist to satisfy the Title II requirements of SMCRA.
The Mine Map Repositories support Title IV and Title V activities of SMCRA. The repositories are in business to provide our customers with an expert service ranging from evaluating related data for economic analysis to assessing their potential risk associated with underground mining. Through our analysis of mine maps and related information, we assist both the private and public sectors in industrial and commercial development, highway construction and the preservation of public health, safety and welfare. In addition we collect, reproduce and maintain a national inventory of mine maps and supporting documentation for private and public interests.
In fiscal 1970, the U.S. Bureau of Mines initially funded four regional mine map repositories located in Denver, Colorado, Spokane, Washington, and Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. This repository system was set up to obtain and microfilm maps of past mining operations in the United States. High priority was assigned to mine maps of areas where the adverse impact to the environment or public safety was most severe.
In late 1984, responsibility for the Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre Repositories was transferred to the Office of Surface Mining, with the Denver and Spokane Repositories remaining with the Bureau of Mines. During fiscal year 1996, the Bureau of Mines closed their Denver and Spokane Repositories and all maps and related information were transferred to the Pittsburgh Repository. With the acquisition of these western mine maps, the Pittsburgh Repository expanded its mission nationally.
The Pittsburgh Repository continues to collect and archive mine maps and to maintain a strong liaison with state and federal agencies. The Wilkes-Barre Repository is maintained as an archival facility for the anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania and no longer actively collects mine maps. However, maps are still available for viewing by the public.
Mine maps are acquired through an established vigorous outreach program with emphasis directed toward state and federal environmental agencies. Other sources included in this outreach are mining companies, engineering and consulting firms, surveying companies, universities and private citizens. Those wishing to donate mine maps for processing and archiving may do so by contacting the Pittsburgh Mine Map Repository. All maps donated are returned to the donor.
Information contained on the mine maps are used to solve a wide variety of engineering, environmental, and mining problems. Mine map information is necessary for decisions on land use and development, the purchase of property, environmental protection, etc. The most frequent users of this information are state and federal agencies, mining companies, consultants, and engineering firms. Other users include research and planning organizations, real estate developers, highway engineers, pollution control boards, city and industrial planners, oil and gas companies, public organizations, special interest groups, universities, architectural firms, transit authorities, attorneys, private citizens and law enforcement agencies. Below is a list of information derived from mine maps:
Below are examples of the importance mine map information has been or is being used to address a variety of purposes.
The Pittsburgh Mine Map Repository is currently reengineering the operation to a "state of the art" mapping center. When completely operational, customers will be able to make inquiries and obtain mapping information through our web site or email. An update as to the new services and products will be provided upon completion of our web site and electronic inventory.
Currently, requests for mine map information from the repositories may be made in writing, or by telephone, fax, email or appointment. Those who visit the repositories are insured the most accurate map-related information available.
To facilitate the use of information, the Pittsburgh Repository offers products for sale at a nominal cost to the public: scanned mine map images in .TIF format on compact disc, state map indices listing the inventory of mine maps, and photographic prints of mine maps.
Customer services include:
Technical services include:
Products available for purchase at Pittsburgh only:
What problems can be caused by past coal mining? The problems associated with past coal mining activity that can adversely affect structures, people and property are:
Please remember to NEVER ENTER AN ABANDONED MINE OPENING OR STRUCTURE. If you believe that any of these problem types might be a threat in your community, you should contact your state environmental agency for an evaluation. Such agencies can determine whether your problem qualifies for state or federal remediation. There is no assistance for property losses beyond subsidence insurance, which usually only applies for mine subsidence damage.
What is mine subsidence? Mine subsidence is the sinking down of the earth's crust as a result of a structural failure in an active or abandoned underground mine. These underground failures can occur at any time and can result in damage or endangerment to property or persons. Some failures occur underground with no effects to the surface or occur in remote areas where the effects may not be noticed. However, many abandoned underground mines are located under heavily populated areas, such as Pittsburgh and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area in Pennsylvania, which can increase the potential for damage to homes and other structures. Evidence of mine subsidence are things such as sections of a building which begin to tilt, small cracks in foundations or basement or garage floors which begin to suddenly widen, growing separations between walls and floors, windows which begin to stick, jam or even break, or long, continuous cracks in the ground.
How can I determine if my property has been undermined? Get an analysis of the mine maps within your area. A good first step toward this end would be to contact the Mine Map Repository or your state environmental agency. Other ways to determine that an area has been undermined include exploratory drilling, ground penetrating radar, and seismic soundings.
Does a particular method of mining enhance the probability of mine subsidence? Yes. Several methods of mining are used to get minerals from underground. These methods include room and pillar mining, longwall mining, auger mining and surface mining. These methods use two basic types--partial extraction and full extraction. As a rule, the more mineral that is removed in a mining operation, the greater the likelihood of subsidence. The two types of mining most commonly associated with mine subsidence are room and pillar mining and longwall mining.
Room and pillar mining uses partial extraction, where "rooms" of minerals are removed while leaving behind "pillars" of minerals to support the ground surface. These mines may be subject to subsidence at any time. Longwall mining uses full extraction. This method involves the removal of long panels of coal, with the goal being the complete removal of the coal in that area. Once the panel is completed, the area subsides in a relatively short period of time. The subsidence is planned to occur soon after the coal has been removed, usually within a couple of months and thus is predictable. Current longwall mining techniques are designed to allow all settling to be complete within a couple of years after which new development and construction can then safely occur.
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Repository (National) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
Mine Map Repository Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania |
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Because most of the mine maps only show the landmarks and roads that existed at the time of mining, the requestor must visit the repository in person to minimize the risk of misidentifying a site. Each visitor to the Wilkes-Barre Repository should have a detailed location of the site of interest, as well as a distance from a prominent street intersection or other applicable landmark. OSM staff will help visitors in locating the proper mine map, and interpreting the mining information. However, OSM staff will not assess the probability of future subsidence at any particular site. Subsidence often contradicts actual site conditions and is difficult to predict. OSM staff can provide the names of local independent consultants who can analyze the specific information and prepare a report on the mining conditions and potential for future subsidence. |
Last modified:
Friday, July 25, 2003