Chemicals of Concern:

Coal mining effluent contains a high load of total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, calcium carbonate, and heavy metals, contaminating surface water and ground water. Heavy metals accumulate in water, soil, sediment, and living organisms. The occurrence of toxic metals in plants and water bodies adversely affects the lives of local people that utilize the water for daily requirements. Additionally, the heavy metals are incorporated into the food chain and levels increase through biological magnification.

Some metals used/released during coal mining activities and their affects on humans, animals and plants:

• Aluminum (Al) High levels may result in respiratory and neurological problems.
  
  
• Copper (Cu) Small amounts are considered non-toxic and necessary for human metabolism. However, large doses may induce vomiting or liver damage. Toxic to fish and aquatic life at low levels
  
  
• Iron (Fe) Essentially non-toxic but causes taste problems in water.
  
  
• Lead (Pb) Acumulative body poison in humans and live-stock. Humans may suffer acute or chronic toxicity. Young children are especially susceptible.
  
  
• Manganese (Mn) Affects water taste and may stain laundry. Toxic to animals at high concentrations.
  
  
• Selenium (Se) High levels may result in neurological effects and brittle hair and deformed nails. Bioaccumualtion can be seen in high levels of selenium, causing deformities in fish larvae and reproduction failure in fish and the birds that eat those fish.
  
  
• Zinc (Zn) May affect water taste at high levels. Toxic to some plants and fish.

Implementing Solutions:

Please submit your experiences (successes/challenges) and tribal-specific documents to share on our website using the attached form.
Download Form

Resources:

Publications on Mining Waste Management in Indian Country [pdf]

International Finance Corporation’s Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines MINING [pdf]

Management of Tailings and Waste-Rock in Mining Activities [pdf]

Hydrologic Considerations for Permitting and Liability Release [pdf]

For additional resources on this subject, including technical papers, media coverage, brochures, and reports, visit:
TAMS RIC - Resource Information Center

Websites:

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement – Regulating Coal Mines:
www.osmre.gov/programs/RCM.shtm

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement – Reclaiming Abandoned Mine Lands:
www.osmre.gov/programs/aml.shtm

Mining (except Oil and Gas) Sector (EPA Regulatory Information):
www.epa.gov/regulatory-information-sector/mining-except-oil-and-gas-sector-naics-212

Toxic Release Inventory website of chemicals released by the coal mining industry can be generated through queries at:
www.epa.gov/tri/tridata/index.html

NIOSH Mining Facts:
www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/works/statistics/factsheets/miningfacts2015.html

Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969:
www.arlweb.msha.gov/solicitor/coalact/69act.htm

Related Pages:

Brownfields
Contaminated Sites
Mining
Superfund CERCLA