Amsbry Removal of Coal Refuse Piles
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One of the coal refuse piles after removal and reclamation by Robindale.
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At the village of Amsbry between Ashville and Cresson, several large flows of
acid water discharge into Clearfield Creek from abandoned underground mines. Piles
of coal refuse (gob) were also left by the mining operations.
In June 2007, the Watershed Association arranged with Robindale Energy to remove
the piles of refuse. The refuse was leaching contaminated water, but contained a lot
of coal, so it could be burned in the nearby Fluidized Bed Combustors to produce energy.
After removing the refuse, Robindale graded the sites, added topsoil and planted the
disturbed area, as indicated in the accompanying photo.
One of 5 acid discharges at Amsbry emerges close to the site of refuse removal. This
discharge (AM-5) drains from a very large abandoned underground mine to the southeast.
It flows at an average of 180 gal/min with pH 3.2, iron 7 mg/L, Al 12 mg/L and acidity
140 mg/L as CaCO3. The Watershed Association is currently investigating methods of
treating this discharge, which is one of three sizable flows that degrade Clearfield
Creek for several miles downstream.
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The AM5 discharge at Amsbry, and weir for measuring flow.
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