Photo Gallery
Bats & AML | Case Studies by State | Photo Gallery
Dangerous Openings
Dangerous Openings include adits (horizontal), shafts (vertical) and inclines (diagonal). They are dangerous because you cannot see inside of them, there is no depth perception, and you are exposed to gases, lack of oxygen, and critters. You may also encounter falling rock and decayed support beams and frameworks.
Unstable Structures
Unstable Structures include dilapidated mine headframes, processing and storage facilities. Dangers are posed because of instability, rot, rust and decay.
Hazardous Materials
Hazardous Materials include explosives such as dynamite and blasting caps, storage containers, boxes, barrels, and drums. All of these can deteriorate, allowing toxic chemicals to leak or to combine into highly dangerous mixtures.
Soil, Water & Air
Soil, Water & Air impacts from mining occur on and below the surface. Exposed rocks, metals and ores can undergo naturally-occurring chemical reactions when exposed to water over time, leading to pollution from acidity or heavy metal content. Ecosystems are impacted when plants uptake the polluted water, potentially exposing feeding animals to toxins. In arid and desert areas, wind can create blowing contaminated dust.
Reclamation Technologies
Reclamation Technologies include various methods to close dangerous openings, such as grates, polyurethane foam (PUF), bat gates for adits and shafts (cupolas). In some cases, shafts can be filled with available soil and rock.
>