Coal slurries are a result of coal mining preparation process, and have contributed to contaminating the water supply of citizens who live within close proximity to them.  Help urge the WVDEP to issue a permanent ban on new injection sites to prevent more incidents of water contamination across the state.

A temporary ban has already been placed

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection currently has placed a temporary ban on new injection sites for coal slurries.  

Coal slurries are dangerous.

The people of Mingo County, WV know how dangerous coal slurries are.  Their water supplies have been contaminated and serious health problems have been seen, likely due to seepage of slurries into the public water supply

Coal slurries are injected into abandoned mines and can contain chemicals and other substances that are incredibly harmful such as Mercury and Arsenic.

The metals and other chemicals, such as these naturally found in coal, are harmful to humans.  Those who live near coal slurries have experienced many health related problems, and have had problems with contaminated water supplies.  Their water may turn orange or black, be oily and unclean, and even stain clothing.

According to MSHA, there have been several incidences where coal slurry has seeped out of the abandoned mines.  

There are alternatives to a coal slurry.

There are several alternatives to using water and washing the coal after extraction (creating the slurries).  Some of which may be dry coal cleaning technology which would utilize either a high Tension Electro Dynamic Separator (EDS) or an electrostatic separator (ESS) to extract the coal from the waste.  (Coal Impoundment, LIS)

The WVDEP has yet to place a permanent ban on harmful coal slurry injection sites.

We can help.

We can demand that the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection continue with a temporary ban and move to a completely permanent ban of new coal slurry injection sites.  This would force coal companies away from this dirty and harmful practice, and potentially help prevent further health problems and water contamination for the entire state of West Virginia.  

Photo credit to Mountain.justica on Flickr