PENNSYLVANIA
INDUSTRY OF THE FUTURE
PA-COAL MINING IOF
An Industrial and Academic Collaboration Program
Dominion Center for Environmental and Energy
University of Pittsburgh
Sponsored by
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
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OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the project is to develop a Vision
and Roadmap for Pennsylvania Coal Mining Industry of
the Future through a joint effort between coal mining
companies, academic institutions and related public and
private enterprises in Pennsylvania.
The primary
outcomes of the project will be:
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A technology roadmap for the coal mining industry
in Pennsylvania; and,
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Industrial and academic alliances and Government
and private sector partnerships to respond to
future opportunities.
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PROJECT ACTIVITIES
1. Established an Advisory Board (Nov. 2002)
2. Established a database of PA coal mining
companies and related industry.
3. Hosted the first workshop on May 5, 2003.
4. Hosted second workshop on July 22, 2003.
5. Prepare a report on the Vision and Roadmap for
the PA-Coal Mining Industry of the Future.
6. Encourage the formation of partnerships and
alliances leading to future responses to
solicitations from federal and state agencies.
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Focus Areas and Goals
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To make coal mining more productive in a safe and
healthy environment
To improve coal beneficiation in response to the need
of end user (electric generators in particular)
To minimize adverse impact of coal mining on the
environment
To demonstrate economic benefits leading to positive
political and social climate for the coal mining
industry in Pennsylvania
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PA Coal Mining IOF Vision (Draft)
1. Coal mining is sustainable in Pennsylvania.
2. PA coal is mined in a safe, efficient, economic and
environmentally sound manner.
3. PA mine site provides for the maximum protection of the
workforce’s health and safety and public welfare.
5. PA coal is the predominant source of electricity and
generators are able to burn coal at competitive rates while
complying with air and water quality mandates and land
use requirements.
6. PA coal is moved from the mine to the prep plant to the
end-user in a safe, efficient and environmentally sound
manner. Coal transportation does not negatively affect
public infrastructure.
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Roadmap Area 1 – Mine Safety &
Productivity
• Provide training innovations to improve and link safety
and productivity, including orientation programs for new
miners and high technology maintenance.
• Develop mine communication systems designed to
enhance efficiency.
• Develop technology to locate and identify geological and
man-made problems.
• effective methane recovery systems.
• Develop multiple-seam mining technology.
• Integrate cost-effectiveness into each initiative.
• Develop Promote collaboration and supporting resources.
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Roadmap Area 2 – Coal Beneficiation
• Determine the effects of beneficiation on trace elements,
including mercury, and their disposition in coal cleaning
plant refuse and power plant ash.
• Determine the fuel-related costs of operation and
maintenance of PA’s coal-fired power plants.
• Develop new technologies for beneficiation, dewatering
and reconstitution of fine size coal.
• Develop effective clay removable technology for
beneficiation and waste disposal.
• Develop improved technology for controlling dust during
cleaning, processing, storage and transportation.
• Promote collaboration and supporting resources.
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Roadmap Area 3 – Environmental Issues
• Improve methods for predicting effects of coal mining and
maximizing resource recovery.
• Develop better and cheaper methods to remediate effects
of mining.
• Enhance remining techniques to reclaim coal.
• Expand CO2 sequestration capabilities.
• Promote collaboration and supporting resources.
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Roadmap Area 4 – Political &
Economic Issues
• Develop industrial and academic alliances as well as government and
private sector partnerships focusing on the coal mining industry.
• Organize regularly scheduled meetings of focus groups to discuss
current and future needs of the PA coal mining industry.
• Investigate the IOF programs of other states and their
accomplishments for possible adoption.
• Improve the competitive position of PA coal with regard to:
- Energy savings
- Fossil fuel resources
- Energy infrastructure
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Roadmap Area 4 – Political &
Economic Issues (Cont’d)
• Characterize PA coal relative to:
- Sustainable development
- Use as an energy sources for heat/electricity
• Develop metrics of accountability for investment in all IOF activities,
including:
- Research expenditures
- Projects
- Job creation
- Savings to PA
- Outside investment
- Mining residue commercialization, site reclamation, water
resources, etc.
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Key Barriers
• Depletion of high quality coal reserves
• High capital investment for coal mining
• Assimilation of effective use of advanced
mining equipment and technologies
• Increasingly stringent/inflexible regulations
• Inadequate geological and mining records
• Difficult economic and political climate
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Importance of Partnerships
Government-Industry-Academia Partners
Regional Alliance
Multi-State Collaboration
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Unique Opportunities and Challenges
in Pennsylvania
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Waste coal recovery
Mine water use and reclamation
Re-mining of abandoned mines
Coal mine methane recovery
CO2 sequestration in coal seams
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Keystones to Success
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Develop advanced technologies and training to
- Insure safety and health of coal miners
- Increase productivity in coal mining and processing
- Minimize impacts on the environment
Develop effective information management to
- Evaluate existing and new geological data
- Establish a comprehensive coal mine water data base
Develop a plan for public education to
- Recruit and train new and younger coal miners
- Provide a positive image of the coal mining industry
- Gain public support both financially and politically
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