Is there a national registry of coal mines?

Question

I am researching an area in southeastern Ohio that contained a small coal mining community back in the 1800s. In trying to pinpoint where the homes would have stand, I thought a good way would be to use the entrance to the coal mine as a reference point. I'm wondering if coal mines had to be registered and if so, would it indicate where they existed.

Answer 1

For historical information, your best bet would be to contact the county in which the mine was located as old tax records and plat maps would probably include information about the mine and its location as well as housing near it. In some states (I am not familiar with Ohio) the state maintains such records, and there is a central depository (in Columbus, presumably, if it is available for Ohio). The state library or the state archives might also be able to help you with other old maps and information. There might be census data, including maps, and some of that is available online. In most states the state library or similar would be able to assist and direct you  to that information as could the reference librarian at a major university library (Ohio State U the best bet).

Finally, but it is a long shot, both the National Archives and the Library of Congress might have information not available locally, but it would be best to start locally and use the national resources only if local sources are unable to assist you.

Answer 2

You can purchase coal mine directories online but I don't think you can access the information without paying for it.

Answer 3

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPLETES SALE OF AEP AFFILIATE MINES TO CONSOL ENERGY; ENTERS LONG-TERM COAL SUPPLY AGREEMENT

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 2, 2001 - CONSOL Energy Inc. (NYSE:CNX) has completed the purchase of American Electric Power´s (NYSE:AEP) affiliate mining companies in Ohio and West Virginia. As part of the agreement, AEP will enter into coal supply arrangements with CONSOL Energy to purchase approximately 34 million tons of coal from the affected mines and other CONSOL Energy affiliate mines through 2008.

The preliminary agreement was announced April 30. Under the final agreement, AEP will satisfy a significant portion of its coal supply needs while improving its overall coal cost profile through the long-term supply arrangement with CONSOL Energy. The agreement will also limit the company´s long-term liabilities associated with the ownership of the mines. The transaction is expected to have a nominal impact on earnings and cash flow.

CONSOL Energy purchased the stock of Windsor Coal Co. in West Liberty, W.Va., Southern Ohio Coal Co. in Wilkesville, Ohio, and Central Ohio Coal Co. in Cumberland, Ohio.

All three mine companies will continue operation under the sale agreement, providing continued employment opportunities for area workers. The Windsor Coal and Central Ohio Coal properties were previously idled by AEP and the Southern Ohio Coal mines were scheduled for closure had a sale not materialized.

AEP first indicated its intention to market the properties in August 2000. "We had hoped to find a buyer who might find additional value in operating the mines collectively with other existing operations," said Charles A. Ebetino, AEP´s senior vice president of coal mines. "With the agreement, CONSOL Energy has indicated it would at least initially continue the operation of Southern Ohio Coal Company´s Meigs mines, and would re-open and operate the Windsor Coal and Central Ohio Coal operations."

Under the supply agreement, CONSOL Energy will provide AEP with a long-term source of coal supply for a number of its power plants, including the Cardinal, Muskingum River and Gen. James M. Gavin plants in Ohio.

The agreements signed today also provide that AEP will market a portion of CONSOL Energy´s coalbed methane gas production. CONSOL Energy is the second largest producer of coalbed methane gas in the country.

As part of the agreement, AEP has retained ownership of - and will continue to manage - the area of reclaimed coal lands known as ReCreation Land.

BACKGROUND:

Southern Ohio Coal Co. is located near Wilkesville, Ohio, about 25 miles southwest of Athens. Southern Ohio Coal consists of two underground coal mines - Meigs No. 2 and Meigs No. 31 - a coal preparation plant and a general office. The company employs 680 workers.

Windsor Coal Co. is located at West Liberty, W.Va., approximately 10 miles north of Wheeling. Currently idled, Windsor produced coal for use at AEP´s Cardinal generating station and for sale to customers outside the AEP System. Windsor had a staff of 225 employees.

Central Ohio Coal Co. is located near Cumberland, Ohio, about 30 miles southeast of Zanesville. Currently idled, the mine produced coal for AEP´s Muskingum River Plant at Beverly, Ohio, and had 147 employees.

ReCreation Land consists of some 30,000 acres near Zanesville that was surface-mined and reclaimed by Central Ohio Coal Co. AEP has made the area available for public use since 1961 through cooperative agreements with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

American Electric Power is a multinational energy company based in Columbus, Ohio. AEP owns and operates more than 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity, making it America´s largest generator of electricity. The company is also a leading wholesale energy marketer and trader, ranking second in the U.S. in electricity volume with a growing presence in natural gas. AEP provides retail electricity to more than 7 million customers worldwide and has holdings in the U.S. and select international markets. Wholly owned subsidiaries are involved in power engineering and construction services, energy management and telecommunications.

The comments set forth above include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including (1) statements concerning the Company´s plans, objectives, expected performance and expenditures and (2) other statements that are other than statements of historical fact. These forward-looking statements reflect assumptions, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements are electric load and customer growth, abnormal weather conditions, availability of generating capacity, the ability to recover net regulatory assets and other stranded costs in connection with deregulation of generation, the outcome of environmental regulation and litigation, the impact of fluctuation in commodity prices and interest rates, and other risks and unforeseen events over which the Company has no control. The reader is also directed to the Company´s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for additional factors that may impact the Company´s results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, historical results may not be indicative of the Company´s future performance.