3.2.4 Pennsylvania Mining

Pennsylvania Mining

3.2.4

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Objectives

Learners can:

• explain the history and impact of mining in Pennsylvania

• evaluate the role of technology in the coal mining industry

• discuss the future of coal mining in Pennsylvania

• extraction

• mine

Prerequisite Vocab

• anthracite

• bituminous coal

New Vocab

Vocabulary

the hardest and purest form of coal

Anthracite

the most abundant form of coal

Bituminous Coal

Categorize

Options (2)

the action of taking something

dig into the Earth for resources

Match the vocabulary word to its definition.

extraction

mine

Reorder

Sort the steps of coal formation in order.

• accumulation of plant material

• formation of peat

• formation of lignite

• formation of bituminous coal

• formation of anthracite coal

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

• the hardest and purest form of coal

• black and shiny appearance

• highest amount of Carbon and fewest impurities

• found in few areas around the world but is found in Pennsylvania

Anthracite Coal

• ​most abundant form of coal

• softer and black in color

• contains tar-like substance called bitumen or asphalt

• found in many areas around the world

Bituminous Coal

Pennsylvania's anthracite and bituminous coal formed about 300 million years ago. Bituminous coal is widespread all over Pennsylvania, but anthracite is specific to the state's eastern side in parts of the Appalachian Mountains.

As the Appalachian Mountains formed, the process of mountain building provided intense heat and pressure that formed these higher-grade anthracite coal deposits. Across the rest of Pennsylvania, particularly in the less mountainous western part of the state, large deposits of bituminous coal are common.

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Mining History

A letter from Gabriel Thomas, an American colonist, to William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, describes the possibility of coal in the region.

Possibility of Coal- 1698

A trader first maps a known location for coal in Pennsylvania. It is unknown if the trader detected the coal himself or had merely heard from other traders where it was located.

Coal Is Confirmed- 1754

Anthracite coal is first discovered in Pennsylvania in 1762. It is first used locally in the formation of iron by blacksmiths.

Anthracite is Found-1762-1792

Multiple Choice

How did the War of 1812 affect the demand for Pennsylvania mining resources?

• The demand increased as the war effort required large quantities of local resources, such as coal.

• The demand decreased as the war disrupted trade and transportation.

• The demand had no significant effect since Pennsylvania's mining resources were not essential to the war effort.

• The demand increased, but only briefly, as the war ended before the full impact of the increased need could be felt.

By 1792, coal is first commercially used by the Lehigh Coal Mine Company, which sold and transported the coal to businesses along the Lehigh River.

​​First Commerical Use of Coal-1792

The War of 1812 resulted in a shift in coal use. The areas of New York and Philadelphia relied on bituminous coal, which was mostly shipped from England. With the United States at war with England, coal supplies were limited, which led to a new demand for anthracite coal from Pennsylvania to supply these regions.

The War of 1812-1812

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• Contributed to the economy.

• Provided jobs, transportation, and energy production.

Economic

• Water from flooded mines has caused water pollution.

• Surface mining has destroyed natural habitats.

Environment

• Black lung disease from exposure to coal dust.

• Dangerous job.

Health

• ​Towns have grown in areas around coal mines.

• Multiple generations have worked in the same mine.

​​Cultural

​Impacts of Mining

Open Ended

What is something positive of coal mining in Pennsylvania? What is a negative?

As a whole, the use of coal has been slowly decreasing across the United States, with many other countries looking to phase out the use of coal completely.

Clean coal describes technologies that help reduce the environmental impact of coal. This generally involves reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

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Future of Coal Mining

• can be linked to health issues like asthma and lymphoma primarily in children and the elderly

• air and water pollution

• happening in residential areas

Cons

• produces thousands of jobs

• reduces energy costs for PA residents and businesses

• helps economic growth

Pros

Fracking in Pennsylvania