Treatment of Mine Drainage by Industry in Pennsylvania

Polluting mine drainage from active mines can and is presently being successfully treated by almost 200 coal companies in Pennsylvania. The increasing level of pollution from coal mining in Pennsylvania resulted in the passage of stricter laws to regulate mining. In order to comply with these laws, mining companies are being required to construct and operate mine drainage treatment plants whenever pollution exists or is anticipated from a mine. All of the treatment plants constructed to date involve various combinations of neutralization, aeration, settling, and sludge disposal. Although further development of mine drainage treatment technology will undoubtedly bring about further refinement and sophistication of treatment, the plants now operating are successfully preventing polluting discharges as defined by the State regulatory standards.