The report is a review of published information pertaining to the abatement of harmful drainage from underground coal mines. Reviewed are new physical approaches to the problem of interdicting water entry into coal mines. These include land management for surface and sub-surface water diversion, the exploitation of water carrying strata, and new mining methods. Some chemical approaches to abatement reviewed include the use of silica gel solutions underground to prevent acid formation, the use of inert gas in active mines, and the use of new and the refinement of known grouting agents.

Report on processes and methods of controlling pollution (pollution control) resulting from mining activities - includes information in respect of water pollution, erosion control, regrading, revegetation, water treatment, etc., and a glossary. Bibliography pp. 367 to 390, graphs, illustrations and statistical tables.

Acid drainage produced by abandoned coal mines continues to cause serious water pollution problems. Without knowing the exact location of the concealed openings and the extent of the mine, source abatement techniques are virtually impossible. Drilling is the only known method for accurately determining the location and extent of the mine voids, but this is extremely expensive. This project attacks the problem through field studies of the following geophysical methods: electrical resistivity, self-potential, infrared radiometry, total field and differential magnetometry, seismic refraction and reflection, very low frequency electromagnetic and induced polarization over well-documented, drift, coal mines. Airborne infrared radiometry proved to be an excellent tool for detecting and mapping acid mine/fresh water sources, acid mine/fresh water drainage, and fracture traces under selected conditions.

Coal will continue to provide a major portion of energy requirements in the United States for at least the next several decades. It is imperative that accurate information describing the amount, location, and quality of the coal resources and reserves be available to fulfill energy needs. It is also important that the United States extract its coal resources efficiently, safely, and in an environmentally responsible manner. A renewed focus on federal support for coal-related research, coordinated across agencies and with the active participation of the states and industrial sector, is a critical element for each of these requirements. Coal focuses on the research and development needs and priorities in the areas of coal resource and reserve assessments, coal mining and processing, transportation of coal and coal products, and coal utilization.