1. Historic Coal Mining The Importance and Legacy of Coal
Lessons Prepared by Trout Unlimited
With Funds from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
This lesson is designed as an introduction to historic coal mining, and how it is still impacting our world. This lesson could be taught on its own and expanded to cover the history of mining in PA, or used as an introduction to Abandoned Mine Drainage and the other lessons contained in this curriculum.
Important points for students:
While later we will study the negative impacts of coal mining, it was vital for our country and still supports our country and development.
Questions for Students:
Does anyone know some one who mines or has mined coal?
Why was coal important to our country?
What impacts did coal mining have on our country?
Culturally?
Economically?
Environmentally?

2. What is Coal?
Black rock that occurs as layers in the earth (coal seams or coal beds)
Formed from compressed and heated remains of plant material
Composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Sulfur
Fossil Fuel; Combustible
Dirt &
Rocks
Coal
Heat and pressure turned the dead plants into coal.
Plants grew in a swamp 300 million years ago
Water covered the swamp and pressed on the dead plants
Dead Plants
Dirt
Coal is generally black can appear to be brown, it occurs in layer which are separated by rock and soil.
Coal formed from prehistoric plants that were compressed and heated
Different types of coal contain varying degrees of each of these elements. The percentages of each element in a coal determine its best use. The more carbon present the more heat produced.
Coal is a fossil fuel much like oil or gas. All fossil fuels were created prehistorically, and we can now remove them from the earths crust to use for combustion.
Important points for students:
Coal is formed form compressed plant remains. It is formed in layers know as seams.
Questions for Students:
Hold up a piece of coal and ask what it is before going over slide
What do we use coal for?
Additions:
Coal formation lesson
Plants died and were covered with dirt.

3. Map provided by USGS http://pa.water.usgs.gov/projects/energy/amd/
Four Types of Coal
In PA we have two forms of coal. Bituminous coal and Anthracite.
The only anthracite coal mined in the US is mined in PA.
Western PA is part of the Appalachian Bituminous Coal field.
Sub Bituminous coal is produces less heat than Bituminous coal. Sub Bituminous coal is newer than bituminous.
Lignite is the youngest coal and contains the least carbon. It also is the lowest heat value coal.
Important points for students:
There are two types of coal in PA, Bituminous and Anthracite.
Questions for Students:
Where are we located on the PA map? (Can add a star or symbol for your town on the PA map)
Which coal field are we in or closest to?
Additions:
Have students explore
Map provided by US Energy Information Administration (1997)
Map provided by USGS
Anthracite 
86+% Carbon
Bituminous
45-86% Carbon
Sub Bituminous
35-45% Carbon
Lignite 
25-35% Carbon

4. Important Time Periods of Coal
Coal was first found in US 1700
World War I
World War II
1700
1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
Coal was first found by US settlers in the early 1700’s before that many Native American tribes used coal for heating, especially firing pottery. Native American tribes generally found coal where a seam reached the surface of the earth and the fuel could easily be removed.
Coal played a major role culturally, economically, and in the over all out come of each of these time periods. Each time period will be investigated in future slides.
Coal was used to power the motors of the Industrial Revolution, provide energy and the metal supplies needed for both World Wars. Suring the great
Important points for students:
Give students and over view of the important time periods which will be expanded on later in the lesson.
Questions for Students:
How would coal be important in each of these time periods?
What would coal be used for during each of these time periods?
How do you think coal would impact our country culturally?
Additions:
Industrial Revolution
Great Depression
Federal Regulation Passed 1977

5. Coal Discovery in the US and PA
Coal was first found in the United States in 1701.
Coal was found in Richmond, Virginia
Coal was first found in PA in the early 1760’s
Coal was first mined at “Coal Hill” which is now called Mt. Washington
This coal was moved by canoe to Fort Pitt
Current picture of Richmond VA. Provided by Aerial Archives
Current photo of Mt Washington. Provided by Project for Public Spaces
Map of Virginia. Made using National Atlas
Mt Washington Incline Provided by City of Pittsburgh
Coal was first discovered by Europeans in Virginia. This coal was not extracted in great quantities due to a lack of mining technology
The first type of coal found in PA was Bituminous. It was found in 1760 and was mined in 1761.
The first mine was at “Coal Hill” now know as Mount Washington. It is just across the Monongahela River from Pittsburg.
Coal was first transported by canoe to Fort Pitt where it could be used. Later barges were used.
While water transport was useful in this instance, for long distances and to some locations canals and rivers were not feasible to transport coal. Instead rail roads would later be used.
By 1830 the City of Pittsburgh, alone, consumed 400 tons of coal per day.
Due to the source of coal close to Pittsburgh the steel industry founded large factories here. Pittsburgh and the surround area now produce ~15% of all steel made in the US.
Important points for students:
Coal was first mined in western PA in the 1760’s. Its mining increased overtime as the country started to industrialize.
Questions for Students:
Where are we located on the PA map? (Can add a star or symbol for your town on the PA map)
Which coal field are we in or closest to?
Additions:

6. The Industrial Revolution
Coal’s role in development and culture
Students have most likely heard of the Industrial Revolution in History. This time period had many impacts environmentally and socially.
The Industrial Revolution took place not just in the US but also in Europe. This was one of the first time that Europe and the US were able to transport large amounts of materials to each other and started the global society we have today.
Important points for students:
Questions for Students:
How would coal mining be important to the revolution?
How could have changed PA?
Additions:

7. Industrial Revolution
Took place in the 18th to 19th centuries
Marked a shift from predominantly rural societies to industrial and urban societies.
Early manufacturing was done using hand tools or basic machines. Industry now began using powered, special-purpose machinery, factories and mass production.
This was the first major boom for coal.
As society shifted to more industrialized cities the need for coal to power the factories, steam engines and machines of the Revolution increased.
As more and more machines were developed more coal was needed to power these devices this lead to new machines being developed to mine coal.
The coal that was mined in PA was generally used here but as the Industrial Revolution grew the coal was transported to other areas where coal was not avalible.
Important points for students:
This time period was the start of the more urban societies that relied on coal to provide the power needed.
Questions for Students:
Can you think of a way that the Industrial Revolution and coal mining impacted your life or your family history?
Did your family immigrate here for a job during the Revolution possibly coal mining?
Why would you study this history in a science class?
Additions:

8. Coal’s Use in the Revolution
Coal was used in industries where high temperatures were needed.
Iron
Steel
Glass
Many industries were founded in PA due to the availability of coal.
Coal is used in many industries (Have students brainstorm ideas of what industries these could be)
Iron, Steel, and Glass are were the 3 highest use industries during the revolution Also included in these industries were metal fabrication, chemical generation, heating commercially and at home, electricity, and use in steam engines.
The culture of PA and job markets were changed by this. Steel and Iron industries were founded here for the availability of coal. Rail roads also were made and many jobs created because of coal in PA.
Important points for students:
Coal was used in many industries which still exist in our state.
Questions for Students:
What other industries might use coal? Examples:
Steam engines
Electricity generation
Home heating
Chemical manufacturing
Anything at the time where heat was required
What do you think would be different about PA if coal was not found here?
Additions:
Have students research companies which use coal, and when they were found in PA.
Steel being produced. Provided by American Steel and Iron Institute
Modern glass production. Provided by Fives Stein Group
Molten Iron. Provided by Penn State University

9. Coal’s Use in the Revolution
The demand to transport coal spurred the development of an extensive railroad system.
Coal was also used to build the rail system
Building materials for railroads (Iron rails, bridges, etc..)
Powering engines
Many of the railroads used today were originally built to transport coal
Steam engine which was used to transport coal.
Railroads of PA. Map made using National Atlas
While in some cases canals could be used for transporting coal in many cases that was not feasible. To transport coal rail systems were made.
This allowed coal and products made in the coal region to be transported around the country.
Coal was needed to build the rail system, and continue the expansion westward. Coal was used to produce the rails themselves and power locomotives.
Many of the railroads we see today were originally made for transporting coal.
With out this vital transportation many other industrial revolution devices and industries would not have done as well, these include: Southern states – Cash crops - Tobacco - Rice - Indigo
- Cotton
Important points for students:
Coal dramatically changed the way transportation was seen in our country. Railroads were formed in part for coal transport and were then used for many other uses as well.
Questions for Students:
What other things can you think were transported by rail?
Additions:
History Lesson:
Explore this link which provides PowerPoint presentations and review games that deal with the Industrial Revolution
Railroad construction. Photo provided by Clemson University
Coal fired steam engine. Provided by Golden Rail

10. Cultural Impact The mining of coal required many workers
Workers were also needed in the other industries coal supported.
Many immigrants came to the coal region to work in the mines
This chart shows the nationalities of miners in the Bituminous region in Adapted from Reports of the Immigration Commission Bituminous Coal Mining
Coal miner sit at the breaker house waiting for their shift. Photo provided by PA Coal Mining History.
Machine shop at a mine. Photo Provided by Coal and Coke Heritage Center
A massive number of workers were needed in the mines and associated industries.
The work force of the US was not large enough to support this rapidly growing industry. Instead companies looked to European counties for workers to support the mines. Some common countries of origin Poland, Germany, Italy, Hungary, and Ireland.
These immigrants brought with them all aspects of their culture.
Many of the foods we eat today which are seen as traditional PA food. Many of these were Irish, Polish, and German Foods. (Look up common foods of your area and see where they have come from, many have roots in European countries)
While many religions were to some degree established in PA churches began to spring up through out the coal region in this time. Many coal towns still maintain multiple churches for the same religion. This arose from the fact that each immigrant group established their own church. It was common to see three or four Catholic Churches in small towns, as they were segregated based on ethnicity. These churches still remain and while not actually segregated any longer remain mostly the original ethnicity.
Common PA dialects and phrases remain from this immigration. Western PA, and the Anthracite region each have distinctive dialects which owe to this immigration. (Search your town and the word dialect to see what might be unique to your area and where those phrases might have come from)
Important points for students:
Immigration changed the culture of the PA then and now.
Questions for Students:
Why were people willing to immigrate to the US to mine coal?
What foods do you like that might have come to our country because of immigration?
Additions:
Many immigrants came to the US from Europe. This would be a good place to introduce a lesson on European economic climates and how they impacted the US.
Have students research an ethnicity that immigrated to their area due to mining and look at how that ethnicity changed their town.
Machine shop at a mine. Photo Provided by Coal and Coke Heritage Center

11. Cultural Impact This immigration changed the culture of PA.
Many foods we eat today came from these immigrant cultures
Religions moved to the area with miners
Many PA dialects are from this cultural movement.
Orthodox Church started by Slovacian’s in McKees Rocks PA. Photo provided by St. Nicholas Center
Byzantine Catholic Church started by Hugarian’s in Brownsville PA. Photo provided by St. Nicholas Center
Haluski is a popular polish dish that was brought to the area by immigrants. Photo provided by Northside Kitchen.
Roman Catholic Church started by Italian’s in Coal Hollow. Photo provided by Coal Campus
Pierogies have become a common dish but were originally brought to the area from Polish immigrants. Photo provided by Polish Foods.com. polishpierogi.com/
Pizza rolls were common in the lunches of Italian miners. Photo provided by Bukisa. ww.bukisa.com/articles/153550_homemade-pepperoni-rolls-delicious
Adapations: Have students make a traditional coal town meal or item.

12. Cultural Impacts
These workers lived in towns often times called: Coal Towns, Patch Towns, or Company Towns
Everything was built and owned by the coal company
Miners were under paid, and the companies over charged for supplies
Miners also faced dangers in the mines
Mine collapses and explosions were common
Many miners died in the mines or of health issues related to mining
The town of Marianna was almost entirely built by the coal company. Photo provided by Coal Campus
Pay stubs like this show how little miners were paid and how much they owed. Photo provided buy Perry Polis
Miners came here from other countries and had no where to stay, companies built town so workers could be close to the mines and other industries.
Everything from churches and schools, to the stores and homes was owned by the company.
Miners were underpaid and generally had no means of travel to purchase supplies at a store not owned by the company they worked for. Company stores therefore could over charge for needed supplies. These stores often gave miners supplies on “Script” or kept a tab of what was bought and then took this from the miners pay.
This kept miners and their families indebted to the store and unable to leave.
Conditions in the mines were horrible and miners faced many dangers. Mines would collapses or underground explosions could kill workers. Black Lung and other long term health concerns were also common.
Many cultural implications to families arose from this, including packing extra lunch in case of a cave in, and fear of ambulances.
Labor Unions were to some degree started in Coal Towns. Workers demanding better working conditions and better pay often staged bloody and deadly strikes with the Coal Company. Famously in the East was the Molly Maguire's. Women played key roles in the strikes by providing food from hidden gardens. Companies often times cut off food supplies in an effort to break strikes, but women tended secret gardens which provided food for the towns during the strike.
Important points for students:
Life for coal miners was dangerous, and many had no options because of a lack of money.
Questions for Students:
Additions:
Investigate life in a Coal Town at s
Have students use the PA Coal Fields resource to investigate what life was like. Students also can investigate life for a coal miner.

13. PA Coal’s Role in the Fight and the Implications
World War I
PA Coal’s Role in the Fight and the Implications
World War I was one of the first large scale wars of modern history.
Students should have a background in what happened during the war
Important points for students:
Questions for Students:
How would World War I impact coal mining in PA?
How would coal mining impact World War I and its outcomes?
Additions:

14. World War I World War I lasted from 1914- 1918
The fighting was mainly limited to Europe
US involvement was in support of our Allies
US also provided many of the supplies needed in Europe
Arms and artillery
Fuel
Supplies to rebuild bombed areas
While fighting did not occur on US soil the US played key roles in the war movement by providing troops and supplies for the fighting.
Coal was still the dominate fuel and so anything that required heat or energy production required coal.
Important points for students:
The war required large amounts of supplies and energy. The US and PA provided much of that in the form of coal.
Questions for Students:
Additions:

15. Coal Use in World War I Coal was in HIGH demand during these years
1918 saw the most coal removed from PA
330,000 miners removed 277 million tons of coal
"It is almost inconceivable that the USA and the allies could have prevailed in either world war were it not for the dominant contribution of the Pennsylvania coal mining industries." Historic Summary of Coal Production in Pennsylvania (Foreman, 2009)
Due to coal being used for many things associated with the war demand was high.
Europe was in shambles and could not mine or use any coal. The US and PA supplied the coal and metal for arms, and buildings. Coal was also used to fuel the ships that took supplies and soldiers to the fighting. Heating and other fuel in Europe was provided by the US.
After the war metal had to be provided to Europe to rebuild home and other building that had been damaged.
In 1918 PA mined historically the largest amount of coal to fuel the war.
Important points for students:
Without coal mining and specifically the coal from PA the out come of the first World War may have been different.
Questions for Students:
What other resources were used in the war that might have impacted life at home?
Additions:
Posters like this one show that miners were seen as supporting the war. Photo provided by Autentic History

16. Cultural Impacts of World War I
Young men left to fight the war, which changed the age of coal miners
Most miners were older or very young
Despite the acceptance of women in other industries, in many mines women were not permitted
This highlighted the Women’s Rights movement
As men were drafted or left to fight the war the dynamic of many industries changed. This included the coal mining industry. While most miners were in their typically younger and older men were now prevalent in the mines.
While many industries allowed women to step up and take the place of men in these industries coal mining did not.
Women were typically not allowed underground in the mines, and instead played support roles for mining. This helped to highlight the need for equal rights for women.
Important points for students:
War changed the age and sex dynamic of the industry.
Questions for Students:
Additions:
Lesson about Women’s role in the war, and women’s rights movement

17. After the War
The jobless stand in line for free food hand outs. Photo Provided by Centre County History. libcom.org/history/ unemployed-workers-movement
Directly after the War coal was used to make iron and steel for rebuilding
As Europe rebuilt the use of US coal decreased
Coal production started to slow
New technologies also made coal mining more efficient and fewer miners were needed
By 1930 the Great Depression had claimed many jobs and coal demand was low
Mining companies either cut back drastically or went bankrupt.
While Coal mining maintained high demand directly after the war as Europe rebuilt. Soon though Europe was able to mine and use their own coal, and the demand for US coal dropped.
At the same time new technologies made coal mining more efficient so more coal could be removed with fewer miners.
As the demand decreased and ability to mine coal with few workers grew companies fired many miners.
This loss of jobs contributed to an over all loss of jobs in the country and added to the Great Depression.
As the depression hit companies either needed to cut their work force drastically or face bankruptcy (which many did). Many small companies could not afford the new technology and were soon over taken by more advanced companies.
Important points for students:
As the war time need for coal decreased and new technologies allowed coal to be extracted more efficiently it lead to a loss of jobs, and coal companies going bankrupt.
Questions for Students:
What other events were happening during the 1930’s that would also effect coal production?
Additions:
A history lesson on the Great Depression can be added here.
Towns like this one were left in shambles and needed rebuilt after WWI. Photo provided by BBC

18. Cultural Impacts in Coal Region
When a coal company went bankrupt the town that was supported was left with no industry
With the loss of jobs many immigrants relocated
Many had no money to move so they were forced to stay in “dying” towns
Mining was very limited during the Depression
A significant amount of coal was mined by men to their heat homes
As coal companies went bankrupt the towns that they supported were left with no industry or source of income. Many still had company owned stores and doctors.
As jobs were lost many immigrants looked to relocate, however they had little money and it was often times impossible for them to move. These immigrants were forced to stay in these towns and look for work in those areas.
Mining during the depression was very limited due to low demand.
Many miners went back to the mines they had been employed in and took coal to heat their homes. (Miners were required to buy their own tools so they had the tools and supplies to mine in small quantities)
Important points for students:
Coal towns lost their support and the miners often times were too poor to move so they stayed despite a lack of work. Little mining was occuring.
Questions for Students:
Additions:
1931 – Coldest winter ever recorded in Pennsylvania
History Lesson:
Opportunity for expansion on the Great Depression
Students can research life in a coal town during the Depression.

19. PA Coal’s Use in the fight
World War II
PA Coal’s Use in the fight
World War II not only showed us one of the largest global war in recent history it also was one of the factors that helped take the US out of the Great Depression.
Important points for students:
Questions for Students:
How would World War II impact coal mining in PA?
How would coal mining impact World War II and its outcomes?
Additions:

20. World War II World War II took place from 1939-1945
US became involved in 1941 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor
Truly a World War, fighting took place across the globe
New technology allowed for more advanced fighting, yet coal was still the dominate fuel to be used for the fight
While the US was not involved in the war during the initial stages we became involved after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
While oil refinement was becoming a common technology coal was still on of the dominate forms of energy.
The US supplied much of this coal for our troops and Allie Troops
Important points for students:
The fighting of WWII did not take place on US soil, bt we did contribute much of the fuel needed for the war.
Questions for Students:
Additions:

21. World War II and Coal
Coal mining again increased as demand for arms and fuel increased
Many coal mines that had been shut down were reopened
Coal mined in PA saw a second surge
209 Million tons were mined in PA during 1944
As World War II erupted and the US joined the war coal was again required to fuel the war effort.
Coal was used in much the same ways as in World War I.
Many coal mines that had been shut down only year previously were reopened so coal could be extracted from them.
New companies sprang up and PA saw a second surge in coal production removing 209 million tons of coal in 1944.
Important points for students:
World War II acted very similarly to World War I and coal production was increased as the demand grew.
Questions for Students:
Additions:
Posters like this encouraged mining to support the war efforts. Photo provided by Lattimer Massacre Project lattimermassacre.wordpress.com/

22. Cultural and Economic Impacts
World War II helped to pull the country out of the Great Depression
After the war a decrease in mining occurred again.
The advent of cheaper refining processes and more readily available oil decrease the need for coal
By 1961 coal production in PA slumped to 80 million tons, the lowest it had been since 1888
The war had pulled the country out of the Great Depression, and the coal mining industry benefits from the need for coal.
However once the war was over mining decreased. Along with new coal mining technologies there also was a slump in demand due to oil becoming the predominate fuel.
Oil reserves that were easily accessed were found in the US.
Refining oil also became cheaper as technologies improved. And the US shifted from being fueled by coal to being fueled by oil.
By 1961 coal production had slumped to 80 million tons, at this time coal production stabilized around this level
Important points for students:
Coal had a short boom in extraction during the second World War, but as oil became more prevalent coal saw a decline.
Questions for Students:
What things do you use oil for that might have used coal previously?
What do we still use coal for today?
Additions:

23. Coal removed from PA (Million Tons)
Coal Production 50
100
150
200
250
300
1977
1944
1932
1918
1840
1850
1860
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
Coal removed from PA (Million Tons)
This graph shows the tons of coal removed from PA from 1840 (first reliable statistics for mining) until These numbers are for all of PA including the Anthracite region.
The y axis is shown in million tons, the highest number 277 million tons is the equivalent of approximately 40 million elephants, that’s nearly 60 times the number of elephants left in the world!!
A steady increase in coal mined is seen during the Industrial Revolution marked in Green
This increase is seen up to the year with the highest amount of coal mined 1918 during WWI marked in blue
A sharp decrease is seen during the great depression in orange
A second smaller peak is seen WWII with the highest peak being in 1944 at just under 200 million tons
As oil refinement became more cost effective coal production has leveled off and has continued at these levels or slightly lower.
These figures were obtained from the USGS’s CoalProd database found at
Important points for students:
Coal production in PA has had booms and very low levels of production and it is highly correlated to the events discussed previously.
Questions for Students:
What things do you use oil for that might have used coal previously?
What do we still use coal for today?
Additions:
Year

24. How Mining practices changed with time
During the long period of time that coal has been mined in PA we have seen many techniques that increase the productivity of mines, offer safer ways of removing coal for the miners, and make mining more efficient.
Often times methods that make mining more efficient decrease the number or miners needed and are not highly regarded by miners.
Some of these techniques also make mining much safer but may still not be highly regard due to the loss of jobs.
Many of the techniques discussed are no longer used today.
The discussions that follow do not take environmental health into consideration.
Important points for students:
Mining practices have changes many times as technology has allowed us to remove more coal more efficiently.
Questions for Students:
What ways of mining do you know about?
Additions:

25. Rock (Generally Shale) Called Overburden
Coal Formations
Rock (Generally Shale) Called Overburden
Coal
This is an example of how coal forms under the topsoil of our earth.
Rock often times shale is found between the layers of coal. The rock and soil over the coal is called overburden. This was often times placed in large piles along with any low quality coal. These piles have many names: refuse piles, spoil piles, boney piles, gob piles (in western PA stands for Garbage of Bituminous), Culm Banks (Eastern PA), or slate dumps
The coal is often found in multiple layers these layers could be quite large or very small. Some of the smaller seams required miners to mine lying on their stomachs.
This diagram does not show any of the natural variation of the coal seams. These seams would narrow in area and would often times bend slightly with the geology. Anthracite formation look quite different and often times require more vertical mining.
Important points for students:
Coal is formed in layer with rock in between and over these layers.
Questions for Students:
What ways could we remove this coal?
Additions:
More in-depth explanation available at 25

26. Drift Mining
This diagram shows how the coal seams run in a mountain in Drift mining a vertical cut is made to reach the coal. This did not require much removal of over burden and there for did not require heavy equipment.
Important points for students:
This is an early form of mining that required little equipment
Questions for Students:
What would some of the dangers of this form of mining be?
Additions
More in-depth explanation available at

27. Drift Mining 1760-…
Early form of mining allowed coal to be removed without large equipment
Mine was located at the same level as the coal seam
The side of a hill or mountain was cut vertically to reveal coal
Miners could remove coal with out removing all of the overburden
Mines were unstable and inefficient
Drift Mining was one of the earliest forms of mining coal. This form of mining allowed coal to be removed without using large equipment or advanced technology.
A drift mine utilized a coal seam that was close to the surface of a hill or mountain side. The over burden was cut vertically revealing the coal seam.
Miners then worked along that seam removing coal.
These mines were inefficient and not able to be used in all cases. Many coal seams could not be reached with drift mines.
Also these mines were unstable and often collapses.
Important points for students:
Drift mining is an early form of deep mining, these mines were unstable and inefficient
Questions for Students:
Start the discussion of each mining type off by asking if students have heard of or know anything about these mining practices.
Additions:

28. Deep mining
This form of mining dug tunnels to the coal seams which allow miners to then remove the coal from the seams. As technology advance elevators would eventually be used for access to these mines.
The overburden in the tunnel would be piled along with any waste coal or rock in the coal seam.
To support the “roof” of the mine pillars of coal would be left.
Important points for students:
This mining caused little surface disturbance beyond the refuse that would be piled at the entrance. It did require more advance technology than drift mining
Questions for Students:
What would dangers of this form of mining be?
Does anyone know where a deep mining is located?
What would dangers of these old mines be today?
Additions:
More in-depth explanation available at
Diagram showing how coal is formed in layers and the rock in between 28

29. Deep Mining Replaced drift mining but required more equipment
Miners dug down to the coal and removed it using underground rail systems
Often times mined in what was termed “Room and Pillar”
Coal removed from large “rooms” with thick “pillars” supporting the roof
Often times when done with the mining workers removed the pillars to access the coal
Lead to many collapses
As technologies evolved drift mining was replaced by deep mining. Here tunnels were cut through the overburden to the coal layer.
Miners removed the coal from “rooms” the coal seam leaving “pillars” of coal. Prompting the name “Room and Pillar mining”
Wooden timbers and later steel beams were also used to support the roof of the mine.
Often times the pillars were robbed after the mining in an area was complete. Here miners removed more coal from the pillars making them less stable. Robbing the pillars was a dangerous job as the mine was more likely to collapse.
Underground rail systems were made where carts were pulled by mules or horses. These animals spent their entire lives in the mines.
Deep mines also were vulnerable to explosions and gas build ups as methane and carbon monoxide commonly built up in mines.
Important points for students:
Deep mining was more efficient, but pillars of coal were left to support the roof, which cut down on productivity.
Questions for Students:
Additions:

30. Deep Mining Early Deep mining required explosives to blast coal out
Labor intensive requires drilling, cutting, blasting, and loading
Later technology allowed for continuous mining
Machines which cut coal using a wheel
Combines all the above steps into one
Still leaves pillars of coal
It was not till much later that “bolting” or strengthening the roof was employed
Early Deep mining was labor intensive
Very early mining required miners to remove coal with picks and hand load the coal into coal cars.
Later miners would “shoot the coal” meaning they would drill hole into the coal to be removed and use explosives to blast the coal out.
To improve the yield of coal from each blast a cutting machine was developed to undercut the coal which allowed for more coal to be blasted away.
Later the advent of electric motors and conveyer belts removed the need to load coal into carts to be removed from the mine.
Later continuous mining machines were made. These devices were redesigned cutting machines that allowed all the coal to be removed in one step.
Even loading was no longer required as the machines placed coal on a conveyer belt.
Despite these advances pillars of coal were still left to support the roof. Much later the practice of bolting the roof or strengthening it reduced the need for pillars to be left.
Important points for students:
As technology improved mining became less time and labor intensive
Questions for Students:
How do you think these improvements played into the rise and fall of coal?
As mining practices improved do you think there were more or fewer mining jobs?
Additions:

31. Deep Mining
Longwall mining was later developed which allowed even more coal to be removed with less work
This machine removes all the coal from a large area
As the machine moves through the mine the roof is allowed to collapse behind it
This can lead to significant surface disturbance
Longwall mining was developed to allow even more coal to be removed.
Longwall mining allows all the coal to be removed and does not leave pillars of coal, this allows the mine to collapse behind the machine and can lead to surface disturbance. For this reason Longwall mining is not allowed in all areas.
Important points for students:
Longwall mining which is still employed today allows for the most coal to be removed.
Questions for Students:
Additions:
Have students write an opinion article about the trade offs between natural resource extraction and the destruction of environmental resources or personal property.

32. Room and Pillar Mining Resource:
Note the pillars that were left between the mined out coal. This mining diagram is of a more modern mine
Important points for students:
Questions for Students:
Additions:
Resource:
Illustrations of different types of mining
Room and Pillar Mining

33. Surface Mining
In this form of mining the over burden is removed over the coal and then the coal is scooped out.
This causes large amounts of surface disturbance as the over burden and coal is removed.
This form of mining is also called strip mining.
Important points for students:
Surface mining efficiently removed coal but lead to large areas of disturbed land.
Questions for Students:
Do you think this would be safer for miners?
Have you seen any older surface mines?
Additions:
More in-depth explanation available at
Diagram showing how coal is formed in layers and the rock in between 33

34. Surface Mining
Removes the overburden from above the coal allowing access to the coal
First surface mines were not efficient
As technology evolved it became very effective at removing large portions of coal without as much labor
Safer for miners
To be efficient requires large machinery
Sometimes called “Strip Mining”
Surface mining is a very old form of mining. Early surface mines that utilized shovels and picks to remove overburden were not efficient.
Later large equipment was used to remove overburden and access more coal. As equipment became more efficient surface mining allowed large quantities of coal to be removed with very few workers.
Because the over burden was removed the risk of collapse was little to non-existent. Also gasses did not build up making surface mining much safer for miners.
Surface mining is sometimes called strip mining because the coal was mined in paralle strips that were then backfilled with the overburden for the adjoining strip.
This kind of mining has many variations to adapt to land contours and geology of the area.
Important points for students:
Surface mining also underwent significant changes and became more and more efficient.
Questions for Students:
Surface mining is safer for miners, so why would miners dislike it?
Surface mining requires fewer miners, so many miners preferred deep mining as it provided more jobs.
Additions:

35. Mining practices overview
Drift mining (1700’s-1850’s) Removes 10-25% of available coal
Deep Mining (1830-present day) Removes 30-50% of available coal
Longwall (1950’s- present day) removes 85% of coal of available coal
Large scale commercial Surface Mining (1930’s- present day) removes +85% of available coal
These are the major forms of mining that have occurred in PA.
Each mining practice removes different amounts of coal based on how the coal is removed. Currenlty most coal mined in Pa is mined using surface mining.
Important points for students:
Mining techniques have changed over time and become more efficient
Questions for Students:
Why would coal mining company chose a mining practice that does not remove as much coal?
Additions:
Have students add the mining practices to their timeline, or if students did not complete a timeline have them compare when advances in mining took place in regard to the major time periods of coal.

36. Effects of Coal Mining Coal mining was not well regulated until 1977
Mines were often left open and surface mines were not filled in
Rock and unusable coal was left piled near the mine
Called Gob piles (Garbage of Bituminous), Refuse Piles, Boney Piles, or Culm Banks
Water contamination from the exposed mines and refuse polluted nearby streams and rivers
Prior to 1977 coal mining was not regulated federally.
This lead to many deep mines being left open, and surface mines were left as open pits with sharp cliffs.
Rock and unusable coal was left piled at deep mine openings, and piles of overburden were left near strip mines. These are called GOB piles, refuse piles, Boney piles, or culm banks.
Water that flowed through or over these mines becomes acidic and metal laden. This then flows into nearby streams and rivers leaving them dead.
Important points for students:
While coal mining was very important it was not highly regulated until This lead to many environmental and health issues associated with unregulated mining.
Questions for Students:
Have you seen any of these impacts of mining?
Additions:
Old strip mines and large refuse piles can be seen on Google Earth, also highly polluted water entering non-polluted water can be seen, have students search for these features.

37. Regulation of Coal Mining
In 1977 the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMACRA) was passed
This federal law regulated coal mining and decreased its environmental impact
Coal companies are now required to undergo extensive permitting
Clean-up plans must be made prior to mining occurring
Companies pay large bonds to the state to ensure they will follow through with clean up
In 1977 congress passed the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMACRA).
This requires that coal companies return the land they mine to the condition it was prior to mining.
They must undergo extensive permitting to beginning mining
This permitting requires Companies to make plans for how to remediate the mine prior to beginning mining,
Companies also must pay large bond to the state, if the company fails to clean up the mine the state keeps the bond money and remiates the land.
Important points for students:
Mining became highly regulated in 1977 as a part of SMACRA, and mines are no longer allowed to be abandoned
Questions for Students:
Additions:

38. SMACRA SMACRA has many regulatory roles
Formed the Office of Surface Mining- Enforces the regulations set forth in the act
Established a fund to clean up previously abandoned mine sites
Aims to have minimal environmental impacts due to coal mining
SMACRA has many roles some of these include
Forming the Office of surface mining which is the governing body that enforces regulations on mining.
Some state such as PA enforce these laws instead of the federal government, other states rely on the federal government to enforce these regulations
SMACRA also set up a fund that is to be used to clean up previously abandoned mine sites. These funds are distributed to states where mining previously occurred and are used to reclaim abandoned mines, and clean up the water that was impacted previously
Over all the goal of SMACRA is to allow mining to take place with little to no environmental impacts, and to clean up abandoned mines from the past.
Important points for students:
SMACRA aims to make sure mining is done in such a way that it has little to no effect on the environment, and it also works to clean up previous impacts.
Questions for Students:
Additions:

39. Current Mining
For the rest of these lessons mining prior to 1977 will be referred to as “historic coal mining”
Current coal mining will not be discussed in future lessons
All pollution discussed is a lingering result of historic mining practices
It is important to note that because of SMACRA current mining creates little to no pollution, if pollution is created companies are held responsible.
For clarity during the rest of this lesson mining that occurred prior to 1977 will be referred to as “historic coal mining” This is not to be confused with current mining.
All pollution discussed and shown will be a result of historic mining practices.
Important points for students:
Current mining is not the cause of most pollution, historic coal mining which took place prior to 1977 is the cuase.
Questions for Students:
Do you know some one who mines coal now?
Do you know any one who might have mined coal previous to 1977?
Additions: