Coal Production

Arkansas has reserves of bituminous, semi anthracite, and lignite coal. The bituminous and semi anthracite coal reserves are estimated to be about 2.2 billion tons, half of which is considered recoverable. Coal mining has been concentrated in west-central Arkansas. Prior to the 1950s, much of the coal was extracted by underground mining methods. Surface mining then dominated until 2008 when underground production again surpassed surface production. Surface remining to remove coal pillars left in shallow underground mines and recovering coal from old mine waste piles has been common.

Regulation

James Stephens of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Surface Mining and Reclamation Division, has responsibility for SMCRA activities related to active coal mines in the State of Arkansas.

Reclamation

Wayne Van Buren has responsibility for SMCRA activities related to abandoned coal mines in the state of Arkansas.

An example of ADEQ’s effectiveness and efficiency is the AML project located in Sebastian County.  The project successfully eliminated three acres of dangerous gob piles, several feet of embankments, and one vertical opening.  By incorporating a forfeited pit as a disposal area, ADEQ was able to reduce the amount of reclamation required by 10 acres.

Grants

Arkansas grant reports and related documents are contained in the official grant file maintained at the:

Mid-Continent Regional Office
501 Belle Street, suite 216
Alton, IL 62002

They can be reviewed during normal business hours. Alternatively, these documents can be requested through the Birmingham Field Office and a copy of the grant file will be made available. The copy may be requested in paper or electronic format.

More Information

Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality

Arkansas Oversight Documents

If you are interested in viewing current or past Oversight Documents, please click the appropriate link in the table below for all documents of a particular type for this State, or on the year listed below for all documents of a particular evaluation year for this State.

Oversight Documents by Evaluation Year
EY2010 EY2011 EY2012