Virginia Energy demonstrates that previously mined lands can be remined, the environment improved, and usable land created while also creating jobs in the community. The operator has been successful in mining the area as one operation while working with state and federal inspectors from both states. Thus each Virginia permit has a corresponding West Virginia permit. Both state s permits are mined as one operation with regard to spoil handling and final reclamation. Operations started in 1994 and continue today.
Mining involves the mountain top removal method.
The operations in both states utilize sediment channels in conjunction with ponds for sediment control. Sediment channels are constructed prior to mining in the designated drainage area. The channels are larger than needed in order to accommodate the mountaintop removal operations. As mining progresses through the drainage area of each channel, part of the channel is removed. The drainage area is then controlled by adjacent channels, which have been reconstructed following completion of mining and backfilling in the drainage areas.