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Surface Coal Mining in Appalachia

Coal is mined in Appalachia by both surface and underground mining techniques. Surface coal mining methods in the steep terrain of the central Appalachian coalfields include mountaintop removal, contour, area and highwall mining. Coal mining operations are found in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Alabama and Tennessee.

Basic Information

Learn about mountaintop mining

What EPA is Doing

What EPA is doing to reduce the adverse impacts of mountaintop mining

Federal Resources

Links to federal resources about surface coal mining

State Resources

State resources about surface coal mining in Appalachia