COLUMBUS, OH - A 39-inch by 38-inch full-color map that shows the locations of Ohio’s known abandoned underground mines is now available from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Geological Survey. A GIS version of the map will soon be available on CD-ROM.

Known Abandoned Underground Mines of Ohio shows the approximate location and extent of abandoned mines throughout the state. This project is part of the division’s ongoing mission of maintaining database records of Ohio’s inactive mines.

The printed map grew out of the underground mine Interactive Mapping System (IMS), initiated by ODNR four years ago. Since that time, the agency has increased its knowledge of Ohio’s thousands of historic abandoned mines - some dating from 1800. In total, the division has archived more than 25,000 individual mine maps and detailed abandonment maps from 4,786 mines.

Abandoned underground mines can cause surface subsidence and sinkholes that damage building foundations, highways and underground utilities, and threaten the overall safety of Ohioans. For example, in 1995, an eastbound lane of I-70 collapsed in Guernsey County, closing a portion of the highway for several months and costing the state approximately $3.6 million in repairs.

Property owners, developers and mineral resource professionals can use the abandoned underground mine maps when planning construction projects or new mining and drilling operations.

The division initially posted the IMS online in cooperation with the Ohio Mine Subsidence Insurance Underwriters Association and the ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management four years ago. The IMS Web site can be accessed at ohiodnr.com. Users can type in an address to learn whether there are abandoned underground mines in or around that location.

Most of Ohio’s abandoned underground mines produced coal. Until the latter part of the 19th century, regulations did not require that these mines be mapped. As a result, the division estimates that thousands of historic abandoned underground mines were never recorded or their records were never submitted to the state. The search for these mine works is an ongoing mission of ODNR.

Known Abandoned Underground Mines of Ohio (Map EG-3, 39”x38”) and its associated text are available on a 1:500,000-scale paper map ($15 plus sales tax and shipping) from the ODNR Geologic Records Center by calling 614-265-6576 or emailing geo.survey@dnr.state.oh.us.

Pre-orders without payment are being taken for the GIS version of the map and its data, which are in the final stages of development. The CD-ROM will cost $25 (plus sales tax and shipping).