The Mine Map Information Center has for more than 30 years operated the Mine Map Repository for the Office of Mine Safety and Licensing (OMSL). This program is sponsored by the U.K. Center for Applied Energy Research in coordination with the Office of Surface Mining’s (OSM) Mine Map Repository in Pittsburgh and is operated out of the facilities of the OMSL.
Currently the office has more than 165,000 paper coal mine maps on file and 183,000 mine records in the corresponding database. The maps range in date from 1948-present, while the data spans 1884-present. A fire in 1948 destroyed 30,000+ mine maps, but many have been replaced over the years. A few old maps prior to 1948 are on file. The office receives all active coal mine maps each year as well as any closure maps. Additionally we receive maps every six months of mines in the proximity of oil and gas wells. Our major concern is the underground mine map, but we have many surface mine maps on file as well as a complete record of every surface mine. Coal seam data is also maintained for the commonwealth.
If you would like to visit the facility to obtain map information or view the map documents please contact us and make an appointment by e-mail.
Visitors to the facility may obtain printed reports based on database searches or database extracts in digital format. The mine data may be accessed using any possible search criteria as well as location based on USGS topographic maps. If you require an answer to a simple query you may e-mail us that request.
If you would like to view our coal mine maps on the Internet or download scanned maps and print mine reports go to the Mine Map Information System.
Recently revised standards for Kentucky coal mine license maps are in effect for mines licensed in 2007. The standards cover both underground and surface mine maps. Please indicate with dates previous mining, current 12-month projections and five-year projections color coded by year. Contact the Licensing Division at 502-573-0140 if you have any questions.
2006 Mine Map Requirements
KRS 352.470 Mine Map Certification
KRS 352.480 Final Maps
Underground Mine Maps- Recent updates include mine location data and coordinates, standardized "Data Block" (this does not replace your own title block), and other conventions. Again follow the guidelines on the Transmittal Letter and in the requirements document.
Underground Mine Map Transmittal Letter
Underground Mine License Requirements
Surface Mine Maps- The biggest change is that OMSL now requires a surface mine map that depicts dated mined out areas for past, present and 12-month projections as well as five year projections color coded by year. Note that the Latitude/Longitude should be where the haul road intersects the coal seam at the works. OMSL will no longer accept an MRP map for surface mine licensing. Follow the guidelines on the Transmittal Letter and in the requirements document.
Surface Mine Map Transmittal Letter
Surface Mine License Requirements
Kentucky coal seams listing
Kentucky coal seam table
Kentucky coal seams in ASCII
Kentucky coal seams in MS Access 7 zip file
