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 (06/13/2014)
Maps digitized as of May 24, 2011 Click image for full view including Somerset & Greene counties	Maps Surveyed	744
	Maps Dry Cleaned	667
	Maps Humidified & Flattened	197
	Maps Mended	311
	Maps with Tape Removed	140
	Maps Re-lined	74
	Maps Scanned	629

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
	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 CONSOL Energy Inc. Mine Maps and Records Collection has grown to include over 8,000 individual map sheets relating to mines once operated by the CONSOL Energy subsidiary Consolidation Coal Company.  Click image for full-size view            The project focuses on a subset of the collection called hardback maps.  The term "hardback" refers to the map's construction of heavyweight paper adhered to canvas backing.  The over-sized 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 geo-referencing 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.