Types of Coal Mining Restrictions

Coal mining is traditionally dangerous work, with many environmental effects both in the mine's immediate area and in other parts of the ecosystem. Because of the nature of the work and coal's effects on the environment, laws have been passed on both the federal and state levels to regulate the industry. Coal mining regulation falls into two major categories: regulation for the protection of the environment and regulation for the protection of miners.

Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977

• One of the pieces of legislation that directly affects coal mining is the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. This act is a large and comprehensive piece of legislation that establishes or expands many laws, including required health and safety inspections and protection of miners from retaliation for reporting safety concerns. The Mine Act also has also created the Mine Safety and Health Administration, which oversees mine inspections and investigates miners' safety concerns.

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

• The second major act that directly regulates coal mining is the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. This act outlines environmental regulations for strip or open pit mining, and ultimately requires that land used for surface mining is restored to its original condition, or "reclaimed" after operations have ceased. This act also created the Office of Surface Mining, which oversees surface mines and ensures that the act is being enforced.

Clean Water and Air Acts

• Other laws do not directly address coal mines, but they do affect how coal mines operate. The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, prohibits the discharge of pollutants into waterways, which effectively restricts how coal mines deal with slurry: liquid waste generated by the mining process. The Clean Air Act, first passed in 1970, affects both the mining and burning of coal by restricting the amount of air pollution that industrial sources can create.

Laws Tied to Location

• Other laws that affect the coal industry relate to the actual location of mines. These laws, which include the Antiquities Act and the National Historic Preservation Act, set aside pieces of land that cannot be used or developed by industry, including coal mining. In other areas, the Endangered Species Act restricts mining in locations where it could harm an endangered animal population.