Abstract: Extreme acid-rock drainage is the dominant long-term environmental concern at the Summitville mine and could have been predicted given the geological characteristics of the deposit. Extensive remedial efforts are required to isolate both unweathered sulfides and soluble metal salts in the open-pit area and mine-waste piles from weathering and dissolution. Results of studies as of late 1993 indicate that mining at Summitville has had no discernible short-term adverse effects on barley or alfalfa crops irrigated with Alamosa River water. Remediation of the site will help to ensure that no adverse effects occur over the longer term. -from Editor

Abstract: Beth Energy's Mine 105W is located in Barbour County, West Virginia, near Buckhannon. The mine was opened by drifts updip into the Pittsburgh Seam in 1971 and operated until June, 1982. Most of the water which enters Mine 105W percolates down from previously mined areas in the Redstone Seam, Mine 101, which generally lies 38 feet above the Pittsburgh Seam. The quality of this water is good as it enters Mine 105W. While operating, the Mine 105W water was segregated by pumping. The bulk of the water was collected in sumps near the main area of infiltration from the Redstone Seam and was pumped to Gnatty Creek Portal where, because of the quality, it was minimally treated and discharged. The remainder of the water flowed to the original West Portal where it was occasionally treated with lime.