Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board’s

Orphan Mine Discharge Task Force

 

Organizational Meeting

Wednesday, February 19, 2003

Pennsylvania Game Commission

2001 Elmerton Ave.

Harrisburg, PA

Game Commission Auditorium

8:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon

 

Agenda

 

 

8:00 – 8:15                   Welcome and Opening Remarks                      Dave Strong

8:15 – 8:20                   Introduction of Speakers                                  Joe Schueck

8:20 – 9:00                   WVU Mon Valley Mine Pool Study                 Dr. Joe Donovan

9:00 – 9:30                   The GenPower Project                                    Brian Osborn

9:30 – 10:00                 Question and Answer Period

10:00 – 10:15               Break

10:15 – 12:00 noon       Brainstorming Session for Task Force Members

  ·        Mission Statement

  ·        Subcommittees

  ·        Involvement of Other Parties

 

About the Speakers:

 

Dr. Joe Donovan and Brian Osborn will provide background and perspective to assist with the mission of the Task Force.  Dr. Donovan, Associate Professor of Hydrogeology at WVU, will present the results of the study on the abandoned mine pool flooding of the Pittsburgh, Ohio and Irwin Basins. This multi-year project was funded by the Department of Energy-National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE-NETL) and Parsons.  This project was a collaborative effort of three major universities West Virginia University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University.  The focus of the study was on mapping of underground mine pools, monitoring mine levels and water chemistry, rates of water rise and differences between shallow cover near outcrops versus central basin.  The study area extends from Fairmont, West Virginia to Pittsburgh, PA.  This presentation will clearly impress upon the audience both the magnitude and complexity of the challenge before the task force.

 

Brian Osborn, Sr. Mining Engineer with Dana Mining Company of PA, Inc. will focus on the desired resolution, the recycling and reuse of the mine pool water by industry.  Mr. Osborn will describe the GenPower project, a proposed coal fired power plant that is investigation pumping and treating mine pool water from several deep mines for cooling water purposes.  He will also enlighten the audience about the challenges and obstacles they face in order to transform a dream into reality.

 

Contact Joe Schueck, 717-783-5633 or email at jschueck@state.pa.us for more information.