Ohio Division of Mineral Resources Management

10/14/2026

The 2026 M**D Training wrapped up last week at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Mine Safety Training Center in Cadiz, held October 6–8. This year’s Mine Emergency Response Development plan, designed by Division employee Russ Byers, brought together our certified staff and industry teams for three days of hands‑on, scenario‑based training.

We were proud to host teams from Morton Salt, Cargill‑Lansing, and Detroit Salt. Just like during a real emergency, participants were divided into response groups and rotated through a series of stations to build and sharpen critical skills.

Over the course of the training, teams practiced:
• First aid and triage
• BG4 breathing apparatus use
• Hose management and firefighting
• Radio communication
• Moulage application for simulated injuries
• Navigation through simulated smoke
• Mapping exercises
• Timber sawing and bolting
• Vertical extraction using a tripod
• Building seals and removing rubble
• And several additional mine‑rescue skills

It was an outstanding week filled with teamwork, professional growth, and life‑saving skill development. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this year’s M**D Training!

10/12/2026

Our offices are closed today in observance of Columbus Day.

We will reopen and resume normal business hours tomorrow.

Thank you, and enjoy the day!

10/07/2026

Another great Ohio Geological Survey event coming up this Sunday.

Join geologists Brittany Parrick and Douglas Aden to explore Ohio’s karst geology. Karst is a lesser-known but unique and important landform that can be found throughout the state of Ohio. Sinkholes are the main hazard associated with karst landforms in Ohio, with thousands of them across the state, including right here in central Ohio.

Participants will be guided through Wellington Park while learning about these geologic features, as well as the extensive karst mapping program the ODNR Division of Geological Survey has been conducting since 2011.

Hikers are encouraged to wear sturdy hiking boots and/or waterproof shoes, bring hiking/walking sticks, and have plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and bug spray.

Participants should meet at the playground by the tennis courts.

The event is free and recommended for ages 5 and up. For complete information, visit Ohiodnr.gov/events

10/02/2026

We had a fun surprise yesterday: John Hickenbottom, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Naturalist, introduced our Mineral Resources team to a very special guest: Bigfoot himself!

During our visit to the new Salt Fork ECO Center, John gave us an informative (and entertaining!) tour filled with great displays, hands‑on activities, and plenty of Bigfoot lore. The ECO Center is impressive, and John’s enthusiasm made it even better.

This little adventure followed our Coal Mining Program staff meeting at the park, and let’s just say Bigfoot definitely stole the show.

Next time you find yourself at Salt Fork State Park, make sure to check out the ECO Center. You never know who, or what, you'll run into.

09/28/2026

Several members of the Ohio Division of Mineral Resources Management spent last week at the 47th Annual National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs (NAAMLP) Conference in Park City, Utah. This year’s theme, “Safeguarding Reclamation, Restoration, Heritage,” highlighted the critical work being done across the country to protect communities and restore historic mining sites.

Scott Davies, Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Project Officer, presented “Cone: Reclamation of Hazardous Features at the Historic Canaanville Mine Complex.”
Later in the week, Katie Cunningham, Division Environmental Specialist, shared insights during her session, “Effective Collaboration Between Title IV and Title V of the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act.”

Attendees also participated in a field trip to the Rio Tinto Kennecott Bingham Canyon Copper Mine in Herriman, UT—an enormous open‑pit site approximately 2.5 miles wide and 0.75 miles deep, large enough to be seen from space.

We’re excited to share that Ohio will host next year’s NAAMLP Annual Conference in Cleveland, September 26–30, 2027. We look forward to welcoming colleagues from across the nation!

09/10/2026

Make your plans to stop by this FREE event tonight and check out this beautifully restored historic theater located in Shawnee.

Join us TODAY from 5 to 7 p.m. for Coal & Culture: A Tour of the Historic Tecumseh Theater.

At this FREE event, guests will be able to tour our historic second-floor opera house, learn about the theater’s history and connection to Southern Perry County’s coal-mining past, and hear about our future plans.

Join us tonight at 116 W. Main St., Shawnee, Ohio

09/10/2026

08/20/2026

Proud to see AMLER investments at work here in Ohio. 🌿

The Wilds is a powerful example of how former mine lands can be transformed into places of conservation, education, and outdoor adventure. Through strategic reclamation supported by the AMLER program, this once-mined landscape now hosts thriving habitats for threatened species, miles of scenic trails, and family-friendly recreation opportunities like the Hellbender RV Campground.

At the Ohio Division of Mineral Resources Management, we are committed to ensuring that legacy mine lands are restored in ways that strengthen communities, support conservation, and create lasting public benefits. The Wilds shows what’s possible when innovative reclamation meets long-term vision.

Explore more from this stop on the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement's Reclamation Road Trip and see how reclamation is making a difference across the country.

The Wilds, a 10,000-acre non-profit conservation center and safari experience where restored terrain meets wide open adventure.

Offers an enormous, reclaimed landscape where exploration comes naturally. Threatened and endangered species, including rhinos, giraffes, and cheetahs, live in spacious habitats designed to support natural behaviors.

The property also includes the 75-acre Hellbender RV Campground, which offers a camp store, showers, a swimming pool, and campsites for overnight stays.

The land, once defined by mining, now supports trails, scenic overlooks, and opportunities to experience the outdoors on a grand scale.

Discover more details about this site and follow the entire journey through our interactive StoryMap. https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/ef10c8dc31f244049c31d4c08c39522f

08/17/2026

Sharing this fascinating look back at Big Muskie, one of the largest dragline excavators ever built. The photos really put its massive scale into perspective. It’s incredible to imagine just how huge this machine was when it operated in Ohio. If you’ve ever visited Miner’s Memorial Park, you know how impressive its legacy remains. If you haven't, it's certainly time to add it to your "Bucket List"!

Worth a read if you're into Ohio history, engineering marvels, or just love seeing the sheer size of past industrial giants.

08/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Natural Resources Park and visited the Division of Mineral Resources Management display during this year’s Ohio State Fair!

We hope you enjoyed exploring the Fair and discovering all the fun ways to experience Ohio’s great outdoors. There’s so much to enjoy year‑round. From trails and parks to geology, wildlife, outdoor events, and more, and we’re always excited to help you experience it.

We can’t wait to see you again at next year’s Ohio State Fair!