Mining, Minerals and More in the Western Ouachita Mountains

Figure 13. Map showing location of fieldtrip stops.Day 1Stop 1 – Ouro Mining – Plant Fossil Locality – Bates, ArkansasCoal seams occur in various places in the Arkansas River Valley, ranging from two inches to sixfeet thick. Major coal beds occur in the McAlester Formation and the Savanna Formation (Fig.14). Coal production in Arkansas started in the late 1800’s mostly from underground mines. Inthe 1950’s surface mining began and became the dominant form of mining well into the 1970’s(Haley, 1978). The only coal mined in Arkansas at this time is from the Lower Hartshorne Coal inthe McAlester Formation. There are two active mines in Sebastian County. The major use ofthis coal is in steel-making.12