2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 225 - PROFESSIONS, OCCUPATIONS, AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS › 225 ILCS 705/ - Coal Mining Act. › Article 34 - Abandoned Mines

(225 ILCS 705/Art. 34 heading)
ARTICLE 34.
ABANDONED MINES.
(225 ILCS 705/34.01) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 3401)
Sec. 34.01. 
		
		When any coal mine is worked out or is about to be abandoned or
closed indefinitely, the operator shall make a final survey of the mine.
The final survey shall show the entire worked out area, and all maps shall
be extended to show the final areas.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/34.02) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 3402)
Sec. 34.02. 
		
		A copy of the final map of an abandoned mine shall be delivered
to the Department within 90 days after closing. The Department shall keep
the final map as a public document. A copy of the final map of an abandoned
mine shall also be sent by the operator to the recorder of the
county in which the mine is located, within the time prescribed herein.
(Source: P.A. 83-358.)
(225 ILCS 705/34.03) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 3403)
Sec. 34.03. 
		
		The shaft, slope, or drift opening into any abandoned mine
shall be filled with earth or other material, or be kept permanently
enclosed and sealed. The time for completion of this work shall be in the
discretion of the State Mine Inspector.
(Source: Laws 1953, p. 701.)
(225 ILCS 705/34.03-1) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 3404)
Sec. 34.03-1. 
		
		Whenever the Department is notified that subsidence is causing
damage to surface areas overlying or in the proximity of an abandoned
mine, the Mining Board shall hold a public hearing concerning the matter
and publish its findings.  If the Mining Board finds that subsidence in
an abandoned mine has caused or is likely to cause damage to surface structures
or constitutes a danger to the health, safety and welfare of the public,
and the condition is not remedied within 30 days after publication of the
findings, any duly authorized representative of the Department shall have
the right, without obtaining further consent, to enter any portion of the
abandoned mine by shaft, tunnel or otherwise, to perform refilling or such
other remedial work as is deemed necessary by the Department.
If the Director determines that irreparable injury will result unless immediate
action is taken, the entry may be authorized by the Director without notice
or hearing for the purpose of taking temporary remedial action to
minimize such injury pending the giving of notice and hearing.
(Source: P.A. 80-1.)
(225 ILCS 705/34.03-2) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 3405)
Sec. 34.03-2. 
		
		Nothing in Section 34.03-1 shall relieve any owner or
operator otherwise legally responsible from any obligation imposed by law.
(Source: P.A. 80-1.)
(225 ILCS 705/34.04) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 3406)
Sec. 34.04. 
		
		During pillar recovery in any mine when working places approach
within 50 feet of abandoned sealed workings, as shown by surveys made and
certified by a competent engineer or surveyor, which may contain dangerous
accumulations of water or gas, or within 200 feet of any workings of an
adjacent mine, boreholes shall be drilled to a distance of at least 20 feet
in advance of the face of such working place. Such boreholes shall be
drilled sufficiently close to each other to insure that the advancing face
will not accidentally hole through into such workings. Boreholes shall also
be drilled not more than 8 feet apart in the rib of such working place to a
distance of at least 20 feet and at an angle of 45 degrees. Such rib holes
shall be drilled in one or both ribs of such working place as may be
necessary for adequate protection of persons working in such place. The
above provisions shall apply to any working place in any mine at any time
should conditions warrant same in the interest of safety.
(Source: Laws 1957, p. 2413.)