Are there any coal mines still in operation?

Question

What will happen to the coal that is left unmined?

Answer 1

Coal mines that are disused usually flood quite rapidly. The water is then contaminated with the left over material. These minerals are often cancer causing. When the mine was originally quarried the tunnels were formed as the coal was removed. However in a disused mine the roof beams collapse and fill the tunnels with rock. This means that it is then uneconomic to initially dig out all this rumble before you reach any coal. Once closed a mine in never reopened, at the moment. But the coal is still down there and as fossil fuels run out we'll find a way to get to it.

Answer 2

In the world thousands, in the UK a few. When the correct economic conditions prevail those which have been closed will be opened up again and coal will once again be extracted.

Answer 3

Yea,coal is still mined up to date but only it some regions and it's used to generate heat it some factories since it doesn't pollute the enviroment as much as firewood and/or charcoal does.

Answer 4

http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=8469
yes there are. here is an article of an active coal mine from West Verginia. When a mine is not mined any more, it is usually just left locked up and left alone. usually signs that say keep out because they are dangerous. I use to live in PA and seen unactive mines. I would not suggest going in them with out a professional.

Answer 5

In the midlands, UK coal is operational, and is near Coleshill, Warwickshire

Answer 6

wales lost 70 plus mines yorkshire all but 4 maybe 30 in uk if your lucky.

Answer 7

YES TOWER COLLIERY S WALES AND A LARGE OPENCAST MINE JUST STARTED IN MERTHYR TYDFIL