Coal Production

Mississippi's estimated five billion tons coal reserves consist entirely of lignite. Economically significant lignite in Mississippi is found in the Eocene, Wilcox, and Claiborne groups which arc across the State from just east of Memphis, Tennessee, into Alabama. Typically, those beds that can be economically mined range from two to nine feet thick. Mississippi lignite resources equal about 13 percent of the total U.S. lignite reserves of 40 billion tons. Lignite is primarily used to generate electricity. Exploratory drilling of the lignite fields began in the mid-1970s. The State issued its first and only mining permit in August 1998.

Regulation

Michael Bograd of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has responsibility for SMCRA activities related to active coal mining in the State of Mississippi.

Reclamation

Michael Bograd of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has responsibility for SMCRA activities related to abandoned coal mines in the state of Mississippi.

Grants

Mississippi 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

Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality - Mining and Reclamation Division

Mississippi 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