The state agency was prompted to idle mining activities by Lehigh Coal and Navigation in Carbon and Schuylkill counties, it said, due to illegal mining practices, chronic water quality violations and an ongoing failure to reclaim mined lands.

The decision halts all mining activities as well as coal sales, according to environmental protection secretary John Hanger. The suspension will be in place until the entire site is brought back into full compliance with its permit.

“The current Lehigh Coal and Navigation management has shown a persistent unwillingness and inability to mine in accordance with state and federal law or address the reclamation and water treatment needs of this minesite,” Hanger said.

“The department does not take this type of action lightly, but we cannot allow LC&N to continue to ignore the law and leave the bill for cleanup of this site to the taxpayers.”

The complex has been mining almost continually since the 1700s, and as such does not have a sufficient reclamation bond in place – a practice mandated by modern mining industry regulations.

The DEP noted that a large mine discharge from abandoned underground workings at the complex was also impacting the water quality of a nearby river.

“DEP has attempted to work with the current owner to continue mining while reclaiming the site and treating the discharge,” the agency said.

“However, the company has repeatedly failed to meet its obligations or maintain negotiated agreements."

LC&N has had 24 compliance orders issued against it by the PA DEP since 2008 and these have resulted in more than $US91,000 in civil penalties. The state agency has also handed down five three-day permit suspensions in that timeframe.

In 2010 alone, the operator has been cited on two occasions for trying to develop unpermitted and unbounded mine pits “in blatant disregard for state and federal law”, officials said.

As of press time, LC&N had not issued a public statement on the issue.

According to the operator’s website, it is the first and oldest producer of premium anthracite coal in the United States.