Project Overview & Statistics

Preserving underground mine maps
for the safety of coal miners, the public and the environment.

Listen to an overview of the project: 
New Information From Old Mine Maps

Project Statistics (2/9/2012)
Maps digitized as of May 24, 2011 Click image for full view including Somerset & Greene counties	Maps Surveyed	717
	Maps Dry Cleaned	452
	Maps Humidified & Flattened	143
	Maps Mended	182
	Maps with Tape Removed	81
	Maps Re-lined	35
	Maps Scanned	438

Quick Links
	Do you live above an abandoned mine?  Check mining conditions in your area
	Looking for maps of abandoned mines?  Search the NMMR database to locate mine maps
	Do you have a Question about the project? Contact us

Project Overview

CONSOL Energy Inc. began placing mine map materials at the Archives of the University of Pittsburgh in 1991. The collection has grown to include over 8,000 individual map sheets relating to mines once operated by the CONSOL Energy subsidiary Consolidation Coal Company.  The collection dates from 1854 to 2002, with the bulk dating from 1880 to 1940. Click image for full-size view            The project focuses on a subset of the collection, approximately 800 “hardback” maps.  The term "hardback" refers to the map's construction of heavyweight paper adhered to canvas backing.  The oversized dimensions of the maps (5 ft. tall and up to 30 ft. long) present challenges in use and preservation.  The hardback maps served as master copies and often contain the most complete diagram of underground mines owned and/or operated by Consolidated Coal Company and its constituents in the Pennsylvania counties of Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington, Greene, Fayette, and Somerset.             The project is supported by a partnership in funding among the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (PA-DEP), the U.S. Dept. of the Interior Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), the University Library System (ULS) of the University of Pittsburgh and CONSOL Energy.  The hardback maps are surveyed, cleaned and repaired at the ULS Preservation Dept.  Once stabilized, the maps are transported to the OSMRE National Mine Map Repository (NMMR) where they are cataloged and digitized.  The digital images are transferred to the PA-DEP California District Office for georeferencing and use in GIS applications.  Lastly, the physical maps return to the University of Pittsburgh for long-term archival storage.  The ULS Preservation Dept. began stabilizing maps for scanning in June, 2007.