Underground mining operations across the United States produce a number of environmental problems. The foremost of these environmental concerns is acid discharges from inactive and abandoned underground mines that deteriorate streams, lakes and impoundments. Waters affected by mine drainage are altered both chemically and physically. This report discusses in Part I the chemistry and geographic extent of mine drainage pollution in the United States from inactive and abandoned underground mines; underground mining methods; and the classification of mine drainage control techniques. Control technology was developed mainly in the coal fields of the Eastern United States and may not be always applicable to other regions and other mineral mining. Available at-source mine drainage pollution prevention and control techniques are described and evaluated in Part II of the report and consist of five major categories: (1)Water Infiltration Control; (2)Mine Sealing; (3)Mining Techniques; (4)Water Handling; and (5)Discharge Quality Control. This existing technology is related to appropriate cost data and practical implementation by means of examples.

"Preparded [sic] for Office of Water and Hazardous Materials, United States Environmental Protection Agency." "June, 1975." "Prepared by Michael Baker, Jr., Inc."--P. i. Bibliography: p. 327-338.