Blackstone Quadrangle

Mining in the Blackstone Quadrangle

Although there is much coal present underground in this quadrangle, these reserves were mined very little as the coal operators often opted for the more easily accessible and thicker reserves in nearby areas. There are several minable coals present at depth in this area. These include the Danville, Herrin, Springfield and Colchester Coals. These coals all ranged in depth from 100 to 300 feet, and were often less than 28 inches thick, rendering them not economically viable to mine.

Only one mine was said to have mined in this quadrangle. The Phoenix Coal & Mining Company (mine index 7057) reported mining two seams. After this mine closed in 1907, no other mining took place.