Vergennes Quadrangle

Mining in the Vergennes Quadrangle

The western portion of the Cottage Grove Fault System passes through the Vergennes Quadrangle. The faulting interfered with mining, generally by halting expansion across the faulted area. The faulting in Muddy Valley Mine (mine index 0055) was the result of subsidiary faults of the Cottage Grove Fault System. The faulting in Kathleen Mine (mine index 0183) was from high-angle normal faults of the Dowell Fault Zone.

Most of the production was from the Herrin Coal, which was commonly 6 to 7 feet thick. In underground mines, top coal was often left to support the roof. The roof was often composed of shales that came down easily. In surface mines, the Springfield Coal was also mined. Some small underground mines also worked the Murphysboro Coal, but that seam was thin and less conducive to sustained mining in the Vergennes Quadrangle.