EMERGENCY!
Sometimes an abandoned mine site will pose an eminent threat to public health and safety. Examples include a sudden collapse of an underground mine that creates a sink hole; an open shaft discovered by a hunter or farmer that is overgrown with vegetation; or a fire in an old mine or gob pile. The Emergency Program was established to provide immediate assistance to secure the area and mitigate the problem, generally in a few days.
Citizens who are aware of a hazardous mine condition should call the Division of Reclamation office at 1-800-772-6463 (within Indiana) or 812-665-2207. If the condition appears to be caused by an old mine works and not the result of an active mine or other cause, a staff member will be dispatched to survey the problem and make recommendations. A private contractor may be contacted to make immediate repairs or deferred for further design and engineering, depending on the severity of the problem.
Structural damage fall under the Mine Subsidence Insurance Program. Learn more on how to protect your home from damage caused by old underground coal mines.
What you need to know about living near Indiana coal mines
A guide is available from the Division of Reclamation to help the public and local officials further understand potential problems associated with previously mined areas. These problems may be associated with both underground and surface mined sites and can result in serious damage to improvements. Previously mined land may have many attractive features for development as residential, industrial and recreational sites. Hidden dangers such as dangerous mine openings, unstable highwalls, and unpredictable ground movement have resulted in serious damages to improvements on these sites. Additional problems can result from subsidence, mine spoils, mine impoundments, and landslides. The Indiana Division of Reclamation always suggests obtaining assistance from a qualified engineer for specific site evaluation before you buy or build on previously mined land. A list of resources is provided at the end of this booklet for additional information. Please click here to review this brochure.
Common problems found on abandoned coal mine sites in Indiana
- Abandoned buildings & structures
- Acid Mine Drainage
- Erosion
- Highwalls
- Open dumping
- Shafts - Vertical openings
- Spoil & refuse
- Subsidence
