Are there any active coal mines in Kentucky?

Coal was discovered in Kentucky in 1750. As of 2010 there were 442 operating coal mines in the state, and as of 2017 there were fewer than 4,000 underground coalminers. …

Where is coal mined in Kentucky?

Muhlenberg County
1971 Kentucky becomes the leading coal producer in the United States, with surface mines in Muhlenberg County leading the state. Surface production becomes Kentucky’s primary means of coal production, led by large surface mines in Muhlenberg County in Western Kentucky.

What kind of mines are in Kentucky?

Fluorspar, galena, sphalerite, barite, iron, and phosphates are all minerals that were once mined in the state, but mining them is currently uneconomical; however, Kentucky has many resources and reserves of fluorite and zinc, and these commodities may be mined in the future.

How deep are Kentucky coal mines?

Underground Mining Shaft mines are the deepest mines; a vertical shaft with an elevator is made from the surface down to the coal. In western Kentucky, one shaft mine reaches 1,200 feet below the surface.

Where can I find coal mine maps in Kentucky?

The Kentucky Mine Mapping Information System is produced by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet to allow users to access maps of coal mines and mined out areas in Kentucky. Users can search by company name, seam name, or state file number (SFN).

Is the Kentucky mine mapping information system accurate?

The accuracy of the source maps has not been verified. These data therefore would not exceed the current National Map Standard for 1:24,000 scale maps which states that they are accurate to within +/- 40 feet horizontally (from a well defined location).

Where can I find mine voids in Kentucky?

These data are being made available as a reference and as a first resource in determining mine voids in Kentucky and any determination made from this data should be confirmed or denied by either examining the archive maps at the Kentucky Division of Mine Safety or by doing local geotechnical investigations.

Why are coal mines dangerous in Eastern Kentucky?

Ruth Mullin’s coal mine fire vent. Countless miners have lost their lives over the years in Eastern Kentucky, many due to fumes, mines collapsing and/or fire. A collapse is deadly for the workers, but a fire becomes a hazard for anyone within a certain radius. Coal fires become magma like pits and rivers that flow through the old tunnels.