How many abandoned mines are in Knox County, Kentucky?

Abandoned mine inventory

Abandoned mines in Knox County, Kentucky

Knox County, Kentucky has 639 mine and prospect features on USGS topographic maps published 1952–1979, including 370 mine openings (shafts, adits and air shafts). OSMRE's abandoned mine land inventory lists 33 problems in the county, 21 of them not yet reclaimed. MSHA's register carries 757 mines in the county with status Abandoned or Abandoned and Sealed.

Every mine and prospect feature the USGS digitized from historical topographic maps covering Knox County, every OSMRE abandoned mine land problem in the county, and every MSHA-registered mine here with status Abandoned. Named features are listed below; unnamed ones are counted by type. Locations are deliberately not shown: this page says what abandoned workings are in the county, not where to find them. They are dangerous and should not be entered.

Mapped mine features (USGS): 639
Mine openings: 370
OSMRE problems unreclaimed: 21
MSHA mines marked abandoned: 757

0 features carry a name0 prospect pits16 quadrangle maps, published 1952–1979 33 OSMRE problems, 12 reclaimed 346 MSHA mines abandoned and sealed

What the features are

Mine openings

shafts, adits, air shafts, portals and vertical openings: the ways into underground workings

371 55.2%
Mines and surface workings

labelled mines, open pits, strip mines, placer and hydraulic workings

269 40.0%
Dumps, tailings, spoil and gob

what mining left above ground

9 1.3%
Other reclamation problems

highwalls, subsidence, polluted or clogged water, fires, slides and gases in OSMRE's inventory

23 3.4%

OSMRE abandoned mine land problems33 on inventory

Problem area	Problem	Program	Status
Billy Helton	P2 Dangerous Piles & Embankments	Rural Abandoned Mine Program	In Reclamation
Billy Helton	P2 Dangerous Slides	Rural Abandoned Mine Program	In Reclamation
Chester Hammons	P2 Dangerous Impoundments	Rural Abandoned Mine Program	Reclamation Pending
Demps Hollow Slide	P2 Clogged Stream Lands	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P1, P2, P3)	Reclamation Completed
Donnie Carnes Slides	P1 Dangerous Slides	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P1, P2, P3)	Reclamation Completed
Ernest Wilson Mine Openings	P2 Portals	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P1, P2, P3)	Reclamation Pending
Gregory Branch Strip	P3 Bench	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P3 only)	Reclamation Pending
Gregory Branch Strip	P3 Spoil Area	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P3 only)	Reclamation Pending
Hogpen Hollow Slides	P2 Clogged Stream Lands	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P1, P2, P3)	Reclamation Pending
Liberty Church Road Water Supply	P2 Polluted Water: Human Consumption	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P1, P2, P3)	Reclamation Completed
Marie Callebs	P2 Clogged Stream Lands	Rural Abandoned Mine Program	Reclamation Pending
Marie Callebs	P3 Spoil Area	Rural Abandoned Mine Program	Reclamation Pending
Mud Lick Mine	P3 Bench	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P3 only)	Reclamation Completed
Mud Lick Mine	P3 Other	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P3 only)	Reclamation Pending
Mud Lick Mine	P3 Spoil Area	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P3 only)	Reclamation Completed
Poplar Br./ky Blue	P3 Bench	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P3 only)	Reclamation Pending
Poplar Br./ky Blue	P3 Spoil Area	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P3 only)	Reclamation Pending
Possum Hollow Slide	P2 Dangerous Slides	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P1, P2, P3)	Reclamation Pending
Pre 87	P1 Dangerous Piles & Embankments	Rural Abandoned Mine Program	Reclamation Completed
Pre 87	P2 Dangerous Piles & Embankments	Rural Abandoned Mine Program	Reclamation Completed
Prewitt & Bennett	P2 Dangerous Highwalls	Rural Abandoned Mine Program	Reclamation Pending
Prewitt & Bennett	P2 Dangerous Impoundments	Rural Abandoned Mine Program	Reclamation Pending
Prewitt & Bennett	P3 Spoil Area	Rural Abandoned Mine Program	Reclamation Pending
Puncheon/evans Br. Slide	P3 Bench	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P3 only)	Reclamation Pending
Puncheon/evans Br. Slide	P3 Spoil Area	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P3 only)	Reclamation Pending
Roark Slides	P1 Clogged Streams	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P1, P2, P3)	Reclamation Completed
Roark Slides	P1 Dangerous Slides	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P1, P2, P3)	Reclamation Pending
Silver Diamond Slide	P1 Dangerous Slides	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P1, P2, P3)	Reclamation Completed
Southeast Training Center AMLER Pro	P3 Other	AMLER	Reclamation Pending
Southwestern Knox Co W.s.	P2 Polluted Water: Human Consumption	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P1, P2, P3)	Reclamation Pending
Up Lynn Camp Cr Wtr	P2 Polluted Water: Human Consumption	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P1, P2, P3)	Reclamation Completed
Wheeler Mines	P2 Clogged Stream Lands	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P1, P2, P3)	Reclamation Completed
Wheeler Mines	P2 Dangerous Slides	Pre-SMCRA Coal State/Tribe Program (P1, P2, P3)	Reclamation Completed

Problem types carry OSMRE's priority prefix: P1 and P2 are threats to health, safety and property, P3 is environmental. A problem area is a cluster of problems reclaimed as one project; several rows can share one location.

MSHA-registered mines with status Abandoned757 on register

#1
Underground coal · R A C Mining Corp · MSHA ID 1511893

Abandoned and Sealed 1982-04-12
#1
Surface coal · West Knox Mining Inc · MSHA ID 1513305

Abandoned 1983-03-22
#1
Underground coal · Big Man Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1514194

Abandoned and Sealed 1991-11-04
#1
Underground coal · G & P Contractors Inc · MSHA ID 1515125

Abandoned and Sealed 1989-05-22
#1
Underground coal · 4-G Coal Company · MSHA ID 1515143

Abandoned and Sealed 1985-07-10
#1
Underground coal · Four L Coal Company · MSHA ID 1515197

Abandoned and Sealed 1987-12-18
#1
Underground coal · Raider Mining Company · MSHA ID 1515347

Abandoned and Sealed 1988-10-24
#1
Underground coal · Dan'S Coal Company · MSHA ID 1515432

Abandoned and Sealed 1991-08-16
#1
Underground coal · N & S Coal Inc · MSHA ID 1515577

Abandoned and Sealed 1987-05-20
#1
Underground coal · Abraham Coal Company · MSHA ID 1515680

Abandoned and Sealed 1992-09-22
#1
Underground coal · New Beginning Coal Company · MSHA ID 1515743

Abandoned and Sealed 1986-10-07
#1
Underground coal · Swan Pond Coal Company · MSHA ID 1515805

Abandoned and Sealed 1991-07-29
#1
Underground coal · G & M Coal Company · MSHA ID 1515949

Abandoned and Sealed 1990-08-10
#1
Underground coal · Tram Mining · MSHA ID 1515988

Abandoned and Sealed 1991-04-02
#1
Underground coal · Shadow Coal Company · MSHA ID 1516052

Abandoned and Sealed 1994-03-31
#1
Underground coal · Misty Mountain Mining Inc · MSHA ID 1516210

Abandoned and Sealed 1994-02-23
#1
Underground coal · Fantasia Mining Company · MSHA ID 1516331

Abandoned and Sealed 1991-05-15
#1
Underground coal · S & S Contracting · MSHA ID 1516354

Abandoned and Sealed 1989-11-02
#1
Surface coal · Double M Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1516400

Abandoned and Sealed 1989-05-17
#1
Underground coal · Duke Coal Inc · MSHA ID 1516600

Abandoned 2002-10-30
#1
Underground coal · Blue Shale Mining Company · MSHA ID 1516712

Abandoned and Sealed 1993-03-31
#1
Underground coal · Mountain Enterprizes · MSHA ID 1516713

Abandoned and Sealed 1993-07-12
#1
Underground coal · Brownhorse Mining · MSHA ID 1516719

Abandoned and Sealed 1992-04-14
#1
Underground coal · Mustang Fuels Corp · MSHA ID 1516901

Abandoned and Sealed 1990-09-04
#1
Underground coal · Headache Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1516938

Abandoned and Sealed 1992-04-14
#1
Underground coal · Mallie Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1517217

Abandoned and Sealed 1992-04-03
#1
Underground coal · Tug Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1517269

Abandoned and Sealed 1995-11-22
#1
Surface coal · Budrow Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1517286

Abandoned 1992-08-26
#1
Underground coal · Headache Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1517300

Abandoned 1992-09-16
#1
Surface coal · ACR Coal, LLC · MSHA ID 1519634

Abandoned 2012-02-07
#1
Surface coal · C.W. Mining - Contractor LLC · MSHA ID 1519853

Abandoned 2023-10-03
#1 Auger Knox
Surface coal · Goldens Creek Enterprises Inc · MSHA ID 1516814

Abandoned 2003-01-31
#1 Mine
Underground coal · Moores Creek Coal Company · MSHA ID 1504001

Abandoned 1980-06-09
#1 Mine
Underground coal · G & L Coal Company · MSHA ID 1515233

Abandoned and Sealed 1985-09-09
#1 Mine
Surface coal · Black Beauty Coal Company · MSHA ID 1516037

Abandoned and Sealed 1987-12-14
#1 Mine
Underground coal · Quits Coal Company · MSHA ID 1516087

Abandoned and Sealed 1987-09-01
#1 Mine
Underground coal · Walycoal Coal Company · MSHA ID 1516128

Abandoned and Sealed 1987-10-19
#1 Mine
Surface coal · David Hoskins Coal Company · MSHA ID 1516137

Abandoned 1987-12-01
#1 Mine
Underground coal · Dorco Mining Inc · MSHA ID 1516943

Abandoned and Sealed 1992-10-06
#1 Strip
Surface coal · P P Coal Company · MSHA ID 1514377

Abandoned 1984-10-10
#1 Strip
Surface coal · F M Coal Company · MSHA ID 1514378

Abandoned 1984-10-10
#1 Strip
Surface coal · Silver Creek Mining Inc · MSHA ID 1516259

Abandoned 1991-10-31
#1 Strip & Auger
Surface coal · Phillips & Jordan Inc · MSHA ID 1517604

Abandoned 1995-09-14
#1 Strip Mine
Surface coal · Jamieson Construction Company Inc · MSHA ID 1517728

Abandoned 2003-01-31
#1 Surface
Surface coal · Clyde Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1511860

Abandoned 1980-06-11
#1 Surface
Surface coal · B R C Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1514332

Abandoned 1989-12-21
#1 Surface
Surface coal · Farmer Coal · MSHA ID 1515500

Abandoned 1986-01-16
#1 Surface
Surface coal · Willie B Mills Coal Company · MSHA ID 1516002

Abandoned 1987-08-17
#1 Surface
Surface coal · Jordon Coal Company · MSHA ID 1516141

Abandoned and Sealed 1988-03-31
#1 Surface
Surface coal · Buried Sunshine Transport Inc · MSHA ID 1518812

Abandoned 2006-03-10
#10
Underground coal · Calvary Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1513784

Abandoned and Sealed 1999-04-15
#10
Underground coal · Steel Hollow Mining Inc · MSHA ID 1516100

Abandoned and Sealed 1992-01-24
#14
Underground coal · K & M Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1514826

Abandoned and Sealed 1990-05-15
#16
Underground coal · K & M Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1517453

Abandoned 2002-10-30
#18
Underground coal · K & M Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1517823

Abandoned and Sealed 1998-07-02
#2
Underground coal · Birdeye Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1514577

Abandoned and Sealed 1995-07-31
#2
Underground coal · Whitley Gap Mining Inc · MSHA ID 1515484

Abandoned and Sealed 1989-11-13
#2
Underground coal · J R Coal Company · MSHA ID 1515797

Abandoned and Sealed 1987-09-03
#2
Underground coal · Big Man Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1516396

Abandoned and Sealed 1992-04-21
#2
Underground coal · Serendipity Mining Inc · MSHA ID 1516838

Abandoned and Sealed 1992-01-21
#2
Underground coal · Mustang Fuels Corp · MSHA ID 1516902

Abandoned and Sealed 1990-09-04
#2 Mine
Underground coal · Phipps Mining Company · MSHA ID 1516145

Abandoned and Sealed 1988-03-31
#2 Strip Mine
Surface coal · Jamieson Construction Company · MSHA ID 1518704

Abandoned 2006-11-30
#3
Underground coal · Brownhorse Mining · MSHA ID 1515517

Abandoned and Sealed 1994-05-18
#3
Underground coal · Mallie Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1517436

Abandoned and Sealed 1995-01-01
#3 Mine
Underground coal · Serendipity Mining Inc · MSHA ID 1517317

Abandoned and Sealed 1994-05-02
#4
Underground coal · C Y Smith Inc · MSHA ID 1515720

Abandoned and Sealed 1988-04-28
#4
Underground coal · 4-G Coal Company · MSHA ID 1516899

Abandoned and Sealed 1991-07-11
#4 Mine
Underground coal · Birdeye Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1517676

Abandoned and Sealed 1999-03-24
#5
Underground coal · C & H Mining · MSHA ID 1514028

Abandoned and Sealed 1993-07-20
#5
Underground coal · Birdeye Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1517255

Abandoned and Sealed 1995-12-01
#5
Underground coal · Mallie Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1517314

Abandoned and Sealed 2012-01-31
#5 Auger
Surface coal · Trosper Mining Inc · MSHA ID 1518027

Abandoned 1998-08-03
010 Salem 1500 B
Surface coal · Jean Coal Company LLC · MSHA ID 1518796

Abandoned 2015-05-26
459 Job
Surface coal · Alden Resources LLC · MSHA ID 1519338

Abandoned 2010-12-16
459 Mine #19
Surface coal · Alden Resources LLC · MSHA ID 1519388

Abandoned 2012-04-23
AHM Tipple
Facility coal · American Highwall Mining, LLC · MSHA ID 1511319

Abandoned 2023-10-03
Alden Resources, LLC #6
Underground coal · Alden Resources, LLC · MSHA ID 1519486

Abandoned 2017-09-25
Alex Creek No 1 Mine
Surface coal · D & M Coal Company · MSHA ID 1514129

Abandoned 1986-08-21
Amswiss No 1 Mine
Surface coal · Coal Resources Ltd · MSHA ID 1513129

Abandoned 1985-03-12
Arkle Crossing
Surface coal · London Coal Company · MSHA ID 1513419

Abandoned 1982-08-02
Arkle Crossing
Surface coal · John Evans Excavating · MSHA ID 1513588

Abandoned 1985-10-21
Arkle No 1
Surface coal · Hutton Coal Company · MSHA ID 1514111

Abandoned 1984-07-12
Artemus Strip No 1
Surface coal · Providence Mining & Management · MSHA ID 1513145

Abandoned and Sealed 1982-11-17
Artemus Tipple
Facility coal · Nally & Hamilton Enterprises Inc · MSHA ID 1505315

Abandoned 1991-09-19
Auger Mine #1
Surface coal · Bargo & Son · MSHA ID 1512150

Abandoned 1981-01-21
B & E #1
Underground coal · B & E Coal Company · MSHA ID 1513400

Abandoned and Sealed 1985-02-08
B J #1
Underground coal · B J Coal Company · MSHA ID 1512756

Abandoned and Sealed 1981-09-17
Bain Branch #1
Surface coal · Alden Resources LLC · MSHA ID 1519442

Abandoned 2010-11-09
Barbourville Prep Plant
Facility coal · Richland Coal Company · MSHA ID 1504565

Abandoned 1994-09-29
Bertha Tipple
Facility coal · Pinemark Inc · MSHA ID 1513038

Abandoned 1981-08-20
Bob Bray Mountain
Surface coal · Wash Ridge Coal Co. · MSHA ID 1519001

Abandoned 2007-08-16
Bob Bray Mountain Mine
Surface coal · Csb Ii Inc · MSHA ID 1518395

Abandoned 2003-02-27
Borrow Pit
Surface coal · London Bridge Company Inc · MSHA ID 1512312

Abandoned 1981-09-17
Brushy Mountain
Surface coal · Nally & Hamilton Enterprises, Inc. · MSHA ID 1519201

Abandoned 2012-03-26
Brushy Mountain #2
Surface coal · Brushy Mountain Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1516175

Abandoned and Sealed 1991-03-04
Bryants Store Mine
Surface coal · Alden Resources LLC · MSHA ID 1519864

Abandoned 2020-11-10
Brydet Auger #21
Surface coal · Mountainside Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 4003238

Abandoned 2014-01-08
Bull Creek Surface #1
Surface coal · Cumberland Processing Corp · MSHA ID 1515911

Abandoned and Sealed 1987-02-10
C R S Energy #7
Surface coal · Bradley Equipment Company Inc · MSHA ID 1515370

Abandoned and Sealed 1987-06-15
C Y Smith #8
Underground coal · C Y Smith Inc · MSHA ID 1515880

Abandoned and Sealed 1988-01-15
Canfield #1
Underground coal · Canfield Energy Inc · MSHA ID 1514763

Abandoned and Sealed 1992-09-09
Canfield #2
Underground coal · Canfield Energy Inc · MSHA ID 1513873

Abandoned and Sealed 1995-04-10
Canfield #4
Underground coal · Canfield Energy Inc · MSHA ID 1517716

Abandoned and Sealed 1999-08-02
Catron Branch Mine #1
Surface coal · Alden Resources LLC · MSHA ID 1519245

Abandoned 2012-12-20
Catron No 1 Mine
Surface coal · Compliance Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1513184

Abandoned 1982-07-13
Charcoal No 1
Underground coal · Lakeshore Equipment Company Inc · MSHA ID 1516250

Abandoned and Sealed 1988-12-05
CHM -102
Surface coal · Contract Highwall Mining LLC · MSHA ID 1518730

Abandoned 2023-08-18
Christian No 1
Underground coal · Christian Energies Inc · MSHA ID 1515763

Abandoned and Sealed 1988-11-09
Clark Strip
Surface coal · Clarks Excavating & Black Topping Inc · MSHA ID 1508988

Abandoned 1977-08-15
Clay Co Mining
Surface coal · Sue Ann Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1515198

Abandoned 1985-10-21
Concord No 1 Tipple
Facility coal · Concord Coal Processing Company Inc · MSHA ID 1514193

Abandoned 1984-05-18
Corbin Paving Corporation
Facility coal · Corbin Paving Corp · MSHA ID 1511570

Abandoned 1981-08-26
County Road Project
Surface coal · Sugartree Corp · MSHA ID 1514232

Abandoned 1985-04-12
Davis Bend #1
Surface coal · Davis Bend Coal Co. LLC · MSHA ID 1518762

Abandoned 2005-03-01
Davis Branch
Underground coal · Jellico Enterprise, LLC · MSHA ID 1518560

Abandoned 2006-10-12
Dewitt Job
Surface coal · Whymore Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1517967

Abandoned 2007-08-15
Dusty Fork Mine
Surface coal · F & G Resourses LLC · MSHA ID 1518348

Abandoned 2007-10-29
Ed Gaunt
Surface coal · Ed Gaunt · MSHA ID 1519520

Abandoned 2014-10-29
Elliott Branch
Surface coal · Alden Resources LLC · MSHA ID 1519387

Abandoned 2016-10-03
Ely Fuel Prep Plant
Facility coal · Ely Fuel Company · MSHA ID 1513576

Abandoned 1995-03-09
Ely Hollow Deep Mine
Underground coal · Sterling Energy Inc · MSHA ID 1511652

Abandoned and Sealed 1983-07-01
Energy Ventures #1
Underground coal · Energy Ventures Corp · MSHA ID 1512751

Abandoned and Sealed 1982-07-06
Engle Hollow #1
Underground coal · G & P Contractors Inc · MSHA ID 1517777

Abandoned and Sealed 1996-07-03
Engle Hollow #2
Underground coal · G & P Contractors Inc · MSHA ID 1517778

Abandoned and Sealed 1996-07-03
Engle Hollow Mine
Surface coal · Alden Resources LLC · MSHA ID 1519096

Abandoned 2009-10-12
Epa No 1
Surface coal · Energy Producers Of America · MSHA ID 1508794

Abandoned 1977-12-05
Fawn Branch
Surface coal · JMR Resources, LLC · MSHA ID 1519926

Abandoned 2023-04-03
Fire Ring Fuels No 3
Surface coal · Fire Ring Fuels Inc · MSHA ID 1512906

Abandoned 1981-09-21
Flag Ridge
Surface coal · Mountainside Coal Co., Inc. · MSHA ID 1519627

Abandoned 2023-11-07
Flat Creek Mine
Surface coal · Mountainside Coal Co., Inc. · MSHA ID 1519696

Abandoned 2016-09-30
Foley No 1
Surface coal · Carlton Foley · MSHA ID 1514173

Abandoned and Sealed 1986-07-17
G M No 3
Surface coal · G M Coal Company · MSHA ID 1514919

Abandoned 1985-08-06
Gatliff No 2
Surface coal · Gatliff Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1510392

Abandoned 2001-06-19
Gatliff Tipple #3
Facility coal · Gatliff Coal Company Inc · MSHA ID 1506809

Abandoned 1991-08-01
Gh Strip No 3
Surface coal · Green Hill Mining Inc · MSHA ID 1516165

Abandoned and Sealed 1989-01-02
GHM-Knox #037
Surface coal · Green Hill Mining Inc · MSHA ID 1517574

Abandoned 2004-03-30
Gideon Coal Company #2
Underground coal · Gideon Coal Company · MSHA ID 1517143

Abandoned and Sealed 1992-12-17
Gideon Mine #2
Underground coal · Gideon Coal Company · MSHA ID 1515033

Abandoned and Sealed 1990-09-26
Gilco No 1
Surface coal · Gilco Energy · MSHA ID 1514078

Abandoned 1984-05-16
Gooden Branch
Surface coal · Express Co Inc · MSHA ID 1519067

Abandoned 2009-08-20
Goodin Creek
Underground coal · Goodin Creek Contracting Inc · MSHA ID 1517980

Abandoned 2000-09-15
Goodin Creek # 1 & 2 Refuge Area
Surface coal · Alden Resources LLC · MSHA ID 1519152

Abandoned 2016-03-16
Gray Tipple
Facility coal · H Tims Coal Processing, Inc · MSHA ID 1512628

Abandoned 2020-10-27
Gray's Excavating Inc Mine #5
Surface coal · Gray's Excavating Inc · MSHA ID 1519524

Abandoned 2012-04-30
H M C Tipple
Facility coal · H M C Tipple Corp · MSHA ID 1512001

Abandoned 1981-08-21
Hayes Gap
Surface coal · Loudermilk Contracting Inc · MSHA ID 1519816

Abandoned 2019-10-01
Helton Branch
Surface coal · J.R. Mining, Inc. · MSHA ID 1518844

Abandoned 2008-06-04
Hilton No 1 Strip
Surface coal · Hilton Mining Corp · MSHA ID 1511100

Abandoned 1981-09-04
Hubbs Creek
Surface coal · Renfro Construction Company Inc · MSHA ID 1511941

Abandoned 1985-09-26

…and 607 more mines not listed here.

Status and date are as reported to MSHA by the operator. Each mine's own page carries its accident, citation and inspection record.

By source vocabularythe publishers' own terms

Feature type	Class	Source	Features
Adit	Mine openings	USGS topo symbol (point)	370
Strip Mine	Mines and surface workings	USGS topo symbol (area)	247
Strip Mine	Mines and surface workings	USGS topo symbol (point)	22
P3 Spoil Area	Dumps, tailings, spoil and gob	OSMRE e-AMLIS problem	6
P3 Bench	Other reclamation problems	OSMRE e-AMLIS problem	4
P2 Clogged Stream Lands	Other reclamation problems	OSMRE e-AMLIS problem	4
P1 Dangerous Slides	Other reclamation problems	OSMRE e-AMLIS problem	3
P2 Dangerous Slides	Other reclamation problems	OSMRE e-AMLIS problem	3
P2 Polluted Water: Human Consumption	Other reclamation problems	OSMRE e-AMLIS problem	3
P2 Dangerous Impoundments	Other reclamation problems	OSMRE e-AMLIS problem	2
P2 Dangerous Piles & Embankments	Dumps, tailings, spoil and gob	OSMRE e-AMLIS problem	2
P3 Other	Other reclamation problems	OSMRE e-AMLIS problem	2
P1 Clogged Streams	Other reclamation problems	OSMRE e-AMLIS problem	1
P2 Dangerous Highwalls	Other reclamation problems	OSMRE e-AMLIS problem	1
P1 Dangerous Piles & Embankments	Dumps, tailings, spoil and gob	OSMRE e-AMLIS problem	1
P2 Portals	Mine openings	OSMRE e-AMLIS problem	1

Other counties in KentuckyAll counties →

How to read these numbers

A USGS feature is a symbol on a historical topographic map, there when the map was surveyed; it may since have been sealed, reclaimed, built over or reopened as a working mine, and the map does not say which. An OSMRE row is a problem the abandoned mine land program tracks, not a mine. An MSHA mine is a registered operation whose operator reported abandonment, a record that starts in the 1970s. The three overlap and are never added together. The county is assigned from each feature's coordinates against the Census 2023 county boundaries. The full method is on the national page.

Sources

USGS, Consolidated Prospect- and Mine-Related Features from 7.5- and 15-Minute Topographic Quadrangle Maps of the United States (USMIN)
597,612 point and area features digitized from about 106,350 historical topographic maps published 1886–2006; public domain (CC0). A feature is a map symbol, not a field-verified site, and the map does not say whether it was still worked.
USGS Fact Sheet 2025–3003, The Abandoned Mine Inventory of the United States
States that as of 2025 there is no comprehensive national inventory of abandoned mine features, and that the detailed national database now being built will not be published.
OSMRE, Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System (e-AMLIS), public Problems layer
One row per abandoned mine land problem in a problem area, with its type, funding program and reclamation status; mostly coal mined before the 1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. Coordinates are the problem area's.
MSHA, Mines dataset (Mine Data Retrieval System)
Every mine registered with MSHA since the 1970s; a mine reads Abandoned or Abandoned and Sealed when its operator reported that status. Refreshed weekly.
US Census Bureau, 2023 cartographic county boundaries (1:500,000)
Each feature's county is assigned by its coordinates against these boundaries, not copied from the source file.
GAO-20-238, Abandoned Hardrock Mines (March 2020)
Federal agencies had identified at least 140,000 abandoned hardrock mine features on federal land and estimated more than 390,000 more not yet captured in their databases.
Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation (AHMR) Program, US Department of the Interior
The program the USGS inventory is compiled for. Its appropriations and the 674,000 field-confirmed feature count on this page were provided by the program manager, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, and are cited with permission (2026-09-08).
IMCC-NAAMLP Hardrock AML Report
Page 48 carries the two figures this page leans on: USGS estimates 633,181 of the 725,690 mine features it recorded from historic topographic maps, 87 percent, are hardrock; and state and federal agencies have submitted more than 724,000 AML features to the national database being built, already more than the historic maps hold. Year-by-year AHMR funding is on page 35.