PRESS RELEASE

NATIONAL MINE LAND RECLAMATION CENTER

For Immediate Release                  Contact:  Paul Ziemkiewicz
January 9, 1997                         (304) 293-2867, ext. 5441
                                               pziemkie@wvu.edu
                                                               
                                                               
          FEDERAL-STATE-INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE
                   TARGETS ACID MINE DRAINAGE
                                                               
     A technology-based initiative aimed at reducing the formation of acid pollutants that can
drain into streams and rivers when coal is mined has been launched by state and federal mining
agencies and the mining industry.

     Leadership for the Acid Drainage Technology Initiative (ADTI) comes from the National
Mine Land Reclamation Center at West Virginia University, with support from the National
Mining Association, the Interstate Mining Compact Commission, and the Interior Department's
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

     "Successful control of acid drainage from coal mining operations is related to the ability
to predict its occurrence and to formulate successful prevention methods," according to Paul
Ziemkiewicz, Director of the National Mine Land Reclamation Center.  "What ADTI is all about
is a recognition of the need to strengthen the technology base in the areas of acid drainage
prediction, avoidance, and remediation."

     ADTI will address all sources of acid drainage, beginning with coal mining, then turning
attention over time to include hardrock mining.

     "The guiding principle of ADTI is to work toward a consensus among industry, federal,
and state regulatory agencies," Ziemkiewicz said.  "Consensus on proven technologies in the
areas of prediction, avoidance, and remediation will assist both the industry and coal mining
regulators, to the benefit of the environment and the public."

     "New and better applied technologies are needed that ultimately will be accepted by the
mining industry and the regulatory agencies," Ziemkiewicz said.  "Some of the current
technologies used against acid drainage are not effective in all situations, even though they are
expensive.  But technologies that have been developed in recent years provide an opportunity to
demonstrate whether acid drainage can be treated more effectively and more efficiently."

     Identifying, evaluating, and developing practical, cost-effective acid drainage
technologies will aid decision-making and facilitate subsequent compliance with environmental
requirements.  "As a technology development program, ADTI aims to identify and develop the
best science available in the field of acid drainage," Ziemkiewicz said.

     According to Ziemkiewicz, ADTI keeps the development of technology separate from its
implementation through the regulatory process.  "ADTI is a technology development program,"
he said,  "not a regulatory program nor a policy development program."

     ADTI has already developed an industry/agency/NMLRC management structure to
oversee the program and identified key technical areas.  ADTI is currently developing action
plans for resolving key technical issues.  Ultimately, the program hopes to implement the plans
via information distribution, demonstration, and testing.

     "States have already reduced new acid drainage sources through better prediction and
avoidance methods," Ziemkiewicz said.  The job of ADTI is to give the regulatory agencies and
the mining industry even better tools in the future."

     ADTI welcomes the participation of experienced technical experts among academics,
private citizens, and consultants who are willing to volunteer their time toward the success of
ADTI.  People with technical experience related to acid drainage control should contact Kelley
Wolfe, National Mine Land Reclamation Center, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6064,
Morgantown, WV 26506-6064, (304) 293-2867, ext. 5444, fax (304) 293-7822,
E-Mail kwolfe@wvunrcce.nrcce.wvu.edu.

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