Pike County, Kentucky
Coal Mine Slope Failure

The Project

Slope instabilities occurred on a mountain side in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Fields adjacent to a closed underground coal mine.

The Site

The land slide occurred on a steeply sloping mountain side about 1500 feet from the closed deep mine entrance. The ground surface near the slide had not been disturbed by mining activities, but ground water seepage was occurring near the elevation of the slides and the elevation of the coal seam that had been mined.

The Problem

Property owners below the slides initiated administrative complaints against the coal company alleging the slides were a consequence of previous mining on the theory that the closed mine entrance had entrapped ground water forcing it to emerge as seepage, causing the slides.

The Cause

It was shown that the seepage was a natural occurrence and that the closed deep mine did not cause water to back up as alleged. The slides were naturally occurring and were the most recent such events in a long history of slope instability of the natural mountain slopes.

The Resolution

The coal company was relieved of all responsibility by the administrative hearing officer after six days of testimony offered by the regulatory agency and the coal company.

The Attorney Client

For the Coal Company:

Baird & Baird
415 2nd Street
Pikeville , KY
Mr. Charles J. Baird
(606) 437-6276

 

For additional information concerning this case,
you may contact:

STOKLEY-CHEEKS AND ASSOCIATES, INC
P. O. Box 130
Nicholasville , Kentucky 40340-0130
Cheeks@RichardCheeks.com

 

Copyright 2004 Richard Cheeks