HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Houtzdale, today said a Philipsburg firm will reclaim a mine abandoned in Morris Township more than 40 years ago.
“Taxpayers will be spared the more than $61,000 it is estimated to cost to remediate the site, located just northwest of Hawk Run,” Rep. George said. “The reclamation is expected to begin soon.”
The state Department of Environmental Protection’s Moshannon District Office awarded the contract to the A.W. Long Coal Co. of Philipsburg. The office noted that the Thompson Coal Company abandoned the site in the early 1960s.
In return for recovering coal at the site, the company will reclaim about 15 acres of mine land, including 1,700 feet of highwall, and almost 6 acres of abandoned deep mines. The site will be re-graded close to original contours. About 145 tons of waste lime will be applied to the site to neutralize acidic mine remnants.
The work will improve the Emigh Run to Moshannon Creek watershed. Blasting will be allowed as part of the reclamation. However, coal reprocessing at the site will not be permitted.
