Description : A variety of problems ranging from post mining acidic discharges to underground mine fires may develop on completed coal mining sites. Unless the site conditions can be accurately defined, solutions to these problems have little chance of success. Studies indicate acid mine drainage (AMD) often forms in localized areas within a backfilled strip mine. Underground mine fires and burning waste banks do not burn in a laterally continuous pattern. Accurate definition of site conditions using drilling is almost impossible because of this lateral discontinuity. However, geophysical surveying can provide much of this information.
Chemical or thermal oxidation of pyrite forms magnetic minerals. Determining the locations of the transformed pyrite equates to a knowledge of the AMD production areas or areas which have burned and cooled. Magnetic surveying can determine the spatial distribution of the resultant magnetic minerals. Electromagnetic terrain conductivity can delineate pollution plumes on AMD production sites.
An underground mine fire, a burning refuse bank, and a reclaimed strip mine producing AMD were mapped using magnetometry. Terrain conductivity was also used on the AMD site. Areas of the underground mine and refuse bank which had burned and cooled were delineated. AMD source areas and the resultant pollutional groundwater plume were defined on the third site.
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