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Project Details

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Project Information Sheet

Distribution and characterization of coal slurry deposits in Indiana

Funding Source:	R.E. Mourdock & Associates, LLC; Center for Coal Technology Research
Period of Contract:	1 Aug 2006 to 30 Apr 2007
Status:	active — Definition of status type
Project Director:	Denver Harper

Issue

Indiana has a long history of coal mining and coal preparation. Deposits of coal-preparation refuse are scattered across the southwestern part of the state. These deposits contain significant quantities of coal. Mapping and characterization of the deposits will facilitate any future efforts to economically recover the deposits in an environmentally responsible manner.

Objective

The purpose of the work is to provide preliminary estimates of the total area and volume of coal slurry deposits in Indiana and to provide recommendations for future sampling and analysis.

Approach

Techniques of geographic information systems (GIS) are being used to identify, quantify, tabulate, and map coal slurry deposits.

Products

(1) A comprehensive bibliography of all known coal slurry deposit sites in Indiana. (2) Historical aerial photos have been used to map the deposits. Other data have been used to estimate their thicknesses. These data are in GIS format. (3) Estimates of volume and recoverability.

Benefits

The distribution and character of Indiana coal slurry deposits will be investigated thoroughly, specifically: (1) The location and status of all abandoned (inactive) coal slurry ponds in Indiana will be determined. (2) Estimates will be made of the volume of the raw material in place for each coal slurry pond. (3) For each coal-slurry deposit, data will be gathered regarding the mines and their associated coal beds that might have contributed raw coal to the preparation plant from which the coal slurry was derived. (4) Determinations of the general status of the coal slurry pond as re-mined, reclaimed, naturally re-vegetated, or unreclaimed will be made. (5) The status of environmental degradation resulting from discharge from all coal slurry ponds will be investigated. (6) The general characteristics of coal fines (for example, carbon content, heating value) will be assessed, and new methodologies and techniques will be suggested to utilize this potential resource.

Locations Affected:

state

Indiana House Districts Affected:

42 43 44

45 46 62

63 64 74

75 77 78

Indiana Senate Districts Affected:

37 38

39 47

48 49

50

Indiana Congressional Districts Affected:

Information Updated January 30, 2007

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