October 7, 2024 - Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex held a lecture on preserving West Virginia’s coal mining history.  

The Abandoned Mine Lands department oversees public safety issues related to coal operations like high walls, open portals, and blow outs.  

Regional planning supervisor, Jeff Davis, spoke about his experience working with mining operations prior to 1977 and what his organization does to maintain mining history in a safe way.  

“West Virginia, we’re a coal mining state, so in my opinion it’s something that that everyone needs to know. They don’t teach it kind of like they used to but it’s still out there so, it’s very important that people know their history," said Jeff Davis, Abandoned Mine Lands regional planning supervisor.

In his presentation, Davis says one of the top priorities of AML is to protect the public from pre-law hazards while conserving West Virginia’s coal mining past.