What is happening?
Just this past December (2025) the horrific story of Elizabeth Pollard was reported; She was the grandmother who tragically died falling into an abandoned mine sinkhole while looking for her lost cat in Unity Township, PA. Also making prior local news headlines, in May of 2023 a large sinkhole formed in Daisytown, PA after portions of the Vesta #4 Mine collapsed. Luckily, no one in Daisytown was injured, but the sudden and significant impacts caused by legacy* mining were on full display. (*Legacy mine lands are areas adjacent to or affected by abandoned mines. They are often older mines and have no owner to hold liable for damages.)
Why is this happening?
Before the advent of full-extraction longwall mining in the 1970s, coal operators used the partial-extraction technique called ‘Room and Pillar’ Mining. During this process, rooms of coal are mined out and pillars of coal are left to support the mine from collapsing. However, as time passes, groundwater descends into these old mines and erodes the remaining coal pillars. These underground pillar failures often manifest on the surface as damage to homes, sinkholes, and changes in groundwater hydrology due to uneven ground movement.
The stability of what has been left behind is largely in question and nearly impossible to assess. Many legacy mines’ entry ways have been sealed up or have since collapsed themselves, and it’s too dangerous for any inspector to physically go down and investigate the integrity of these old mines. Unfortunately, what we do know is that they are massive issues and they have proved to be deadly.
If you want to take a deep dive into why Abandoned Mines Collapse – watch this detailed video.
Is your home sitting above an old coal mine? Should you be concerned?
If you live in the central or eastern parts of Washington or Greene County, yes, you should at least have some initial concern. A quick search of your address on the PA DEP mining map is a good first step in determining whether you should have any concerns. The grey shaded portions of the map represent the legacy mining areas and if you live over one of these areas, you should request a ‘Coal Status Report’ from the PA DEP (see below).
If you live in the western parts of either county and there has been mining near or under your property it has most likely been the longwall type of mining. Most longwall mining impacts reveal themselves within the first few years after the mining occurs, and there are typically less long-term concerns. (If you need help navigating the longwall mining process please read over our ‘Homeowners Guide for Longwall Mining’ or ask us for help!)
How to Request a Coal Status Report:
Per the PA.gov website: To request a Coal Status Report, email EP-CSR@pa.gov and include a latitude and longitude coordinate point for the site you would like researched, the name or company of the requestor, a telephone number to reach the requestor in case there are any questions, and the purpose of the report. Alternatively, you can send in a site location map with a point indicated for the site you would like researched. There is no charge to request a Coal Status Report. It may take up to two weeks to receive a response, but many reports are completed in a faster timeframe.
When I requested a Coal Status Report on a piece of property, I searched my address on google maps and used the coordinates from that, stated my purpose was to determine if I needed Mine Subsidence Insurance and included my phone number. I received a response within 48 hours. If you need any help submitting your Coal Status Report or need help understanding the results, please reach out to nick@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org.
How to get Mine Subsidence Insurance:
Offered by the state of PA is Mine Subsidence Insurance, which is a relatively low cost way to protect your home from potential damages due to these legacy mines. If you need help finding out if Mine Subsidence Insurance is a good idea for you, please reach out to nick@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org.
*** PA Mine Subsidence Insurance does not cover damages for longwall mining! ACT 54 requires coal operators to fix damages due to longwall mining. (If you need help navigating the longwall mining process, please read over our ‘Homeowners Guide for Longwall Mining’ or ask us for help!)