ABSTRACT
Extraction of coal from the earth should be accomplished with minimum environmental consequences. The industry was in business to mine coal at a profit and at a time when this country needed the coal to help its economic growth and industrial development and to help the country fight two major world wars. People are demanding beautiful land, clean air, and pure water, not just in the coal mining areas but in all areas and from all industries. Most segments of the coal mining industry have shown good faith in attempting not only to prevent the destruction of the environment, but also to clean up the previous destruction. Coal refuse can be divided into two types–coarse and fine–or refuse banks and slime ponds. Mine drainage can range from alkaline to as much as 35,000 ppm of acid. Mine drainage may also contain suspended solids such as coal silt, soil or oxides of iron.
