Coal Mining

Just for general information, where I'm sitting now is in a saddle on a ridge. The higher ground some 2500 feet to the east is a worked-out coal surface mine, now capped with clay and dirt and covered in grass; there's a small area of spoils near the road that gives it away if you know what to look for. Some 3500 feet to the west is a still somewhat active surface coal mine; the side of the ridge facing me was worked out many years ago, and the active mine is on the other side and out of sight. The next ridge to the south (which is out of sight due to trees) was surface mined. Even the top of the ridge across the Clarion River - the one in those photos out the back door - was surface mined many years ago.

All the surface coal around here is very high in sulfur and iron - and had a layer of iron ore on top of the coal seam.

The only reason where I am now was never mined is because of that saddle - it's below the coal layer. There's another coal seam well below me, under the bottom of the river valley, some 300-350 feet down that has never been economical to mine in this area.

I think the house was here first ...

** Nevermind, LJ is not letting me link to Google Maps where you can see it - please click on this link for street view **

Seen while going to vote today. Yes, that old house is really that close to the highway.