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2001 National and Appalachian Region Awards: Vindex Reclamation Project, Maryland |
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The Vindex Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Project is located in the south Central portion of Garrett County, Maryland. The Community of Vindex was first established around 1890 as a lumber town; but, soon became a coal town in 1904, when a deep mining operation opened and a rail line was constructed to service the mining operation. Fueled by the demand of World War I, the operation expanded into one of the most modern and progressive deep mines of its time -- complete with a company store, tipples, cleaning plant, power house, reservoir, and company owned dwellings. By the end of World War II the mine produced approximately 5.5 million tons of coal and with increasing costs and decreasing demand for coal the operation closed.
Enlarged Photo (21 KB file) 
Acid mine drainage was flowing from many of the abandoned mine portals and was severely impacting water quality of surrounding streams and rivers. Analysis indicated that acid mine drainage from the site contributed a net acid discharge of 3,354 pounds per day to the North Branch of the Potomac, amounting to over 16 percent of the total acid loading of the River. A lime doser located above the acid mine drainage discharges has improved water quality and stream species are on the increase. Enlarged Photo (31KB file)
Water coming from the doser mixes with the acid water
Completed reclamation
Acid mine drainage leaving the site was creating a chemical barrier to fish migrating into the upper reaches of the Potomac River. In order to eliminate this barrier, a mechanical lime doser to neutralize acid loadings was constructed. The doser has eliminated the chemical barrier to fish migration upstream and dramatically improved the water quality of the river. Enlarged Photo (26 KB file)
With the mining operation abandoned, public health, safety, and environmental conditions at the site deteriorated. Dangerous highwalls ran parallel to and within 15 feet of the county road, dangerous unstable refuse piles were causing landslides onto roads and streams. Open portals and air shafts threatened public safety, and unauthorized burning of garbage had caused burning of the abandoned coal refuse and other abandoned facilities. This was Maryland’s single most complex, time consuming , and costly Abandoned Mine Land project. It required over 55,000 man hours of work, cost more then twice Maryland’s total annual Title IV grant allocation, and required three years to complete. Enlarged Photo (45 KB file)
