Introduction - Coal Waste Impoundments: Risks, Responses, and Alternatives - page 9

SIDEBAR 1.3 FEBRUARY 26, 1972: BUFFALO MINING
COMPANY, BUFFALO CREEK, WEST VIRGINIA
On February 26, 1972, the most destructive flood in West Virginia's
history occurred when a coal waste impounding structure collapsed on the
Buffalo Creek tributary of Middle Fork. Shortly before 8:00 a.m., the
impounding structure collapsed, releasing approximately 132 million
gallons of water. The water passed through two more piles of coal waste
blocking the Middle Fork. At that time, there were no federal standards
requiring either impoundments or hazardous refuse piles to be
constructed and maintained in an approved manner.
Around 1957, as part of its surface mining operations, the Buffalo
Mining Company (a subsidiary of the Pittston Coal Company) had begun
depositing mine waste consisting of rock and coal in Middle Fork. Buffalo
Mining constructed its first impounding structure, near the mouth of Middle
Fork in 1960. Six years later, it added a second impounding structure, 600
feet upstream. By 1968, the company was depositing more waste another
600 feet upstream. By 1972, the height of this third impounding structure
ranged from 45 to 60 feet.
Between February 24 and 26, 1972, the National Weather Service
measured 3.7 inches of rain in the area of Logan County and Buffalo
Creek. The impounding structure probably failed because foundation
deficiencies led to sliding and slumping of the front face of the refuse
bank. The waterlogged refuse bank accelerated the failure. The slumping
lowered the top of the refuse bank and allowed the impounded water to
breach and then rapidly erode the crest of the bank. Upon failure of the
refuse bank, the floodwater moved into pockets of burning coal waste.
As result of the flood, 125 people were killed, 1,100 were injured, and
more than 4,000 were left homeless. In addition, the flood completely
demolished 1,000 cars and trucks, 502 houses, and 44 mobile homes,
and damaged 943 houses and mobile homes to varying extents. Property
damage was estimated at $50 million.
SOURCE: W.E.Davies et al., 1972
FINES DISPOSAL PROBLEMS IN OTHER MINING SECTORS
The problem of slurry disposal is not unique to the coal industry; it is a
consideration for many base and precious metals industries, as well. For
example, in the aluminum industry, disposal of massive quantities of bauxite
tailings (called red mud) creates similar problems (Wagh and Desai, 1987).
Disposing of the red mud in settling ponds in dilute, fine mud-sand slurries of
about 20 percent solids (Downs and Stocks, 1977) brings with it a number of
problems including very slow settling time and low bearing strength. The