How to Report an Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Emergency Problem
Abandoned Mine Land emergencies are hazards that occur suddenly and present an immediate threat to the public health, safety, or general welfare. They are caused by abandoned underground or surface coal mines and need immediate attention.
Emergency problems may include:
- open subsidence, portals or shafts
- subsidence that has damaged occupied structures
- landslides that are blocking roadways, streams or damaging structures
- coal waste fires or underground mine fires near houses, roadways or populated areas.
Where should the emergency be reported?
Abandoned Mine Land emergencies should be reported to the appropriate Division of Mineral Resources Management regional office.
The Division has emergency personnel located in New Philadelphia and Cambridge, Ohio. Report emergency events that occur south of Interstate 70 to the Cambridge office and those located north of Interstate 70 to the New Philadelphia office. Emergency staff in the Columbus office can handle calls from throughout the state.
 AML Emergency Offices:
Cambridge, Tom Reed (740) 439-3640
New Philadelphia, Doug Bear (330) 339-2207
Columbus, Tim Jackson (614) 265-6633
What information needs to be reported?
When reporting an Abandoned Mine Land emergency you should include your name, telephone number, address, county, township, and a description of the problem. Include directions to the problem site, and the name and telephone number of any other person(s) who is knowledgeable about the emergency problem.
You may be asked when the event occurred, if any other events have occurred in this area, and if any other agencies have been contacted.
Reporting non-emergency problems
Any other AML event that is of concern but does not pose an immediate threat can be reported to Brad Burwell, Abandoned Mine Land Program at (330) 339-2207.
The Abandoned Mine Land program can only fix hazards caused by mines that were abandoned prior to August 1977. Hazards from active mines or mining that occurred after August 1977 do not qualify under the AML program but can be reported to the nearest DMRM regional office.
DMRM Regional AML Offices:
Athens (740) 592-3748
Cambridge (740) 439-3640
Columbus (614) 265-6633
New Philadelphia (330) 339-2207
Salem (330) 222-1527 |