News

WVU researchers previously discovered that acid mine drainage seeping from retired coal mines contains critical materials called rare earth elements. The University is launching the WVU Rare Earth Elements Initiative and a for-profit startup called Mission Critical Materials to expand this knowledge and to help secure a domestic supply of these materials. (WVU Photo/Brian Persinger)

By Amaya Hamilton | Tuesday, February 24, 2026

We are excited to announce that that the 3rd annual Monongahela River Sweep will be held this April! This event is hosted by the West Virginia Water Research Institute and Ascend WV.

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – The Guardians of the West Fork Watershed marked their 25th anniversary with a speaker series at the Waldomore in downtown Clarksburg Tuesday night, highlighting ongoing efforts to restore and protect the West Fork River and its tributaries.

The event focused on a quarter-century of work aimed at cleaning up streams affected by pollution and promoting recreational opportunities throughout the watershed. Senior Research Scientist Mel Shafer of the West Virginia Water Research Institute outlined the long-term environmental damage caused by abandoned mine drainage and other sources of contamination affecting the West Fork River and waterways across the region. She also detailed current mitigation strategies designed to reduce pollutants and improve water quality.

Register Today! The 2025 West Virginia Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium has officially been scheduled for April 16-17, 2025. Complete details are available at WVMDTaskForce.com.

The West Virginia Mine Drainage Task Force was formed in 1978 and assigned to investigate the acid mine drainage (AMD) problem associated with surface mining in central West Virginia. Since then, the Task Force has broadened its scope to include areas outside of West Virginia with many diverse mine drainage issues.

David Beard, The Dominion Post

David Beard, The Dominion Post

MORGANTOWN – The new Richard Mine acid mine drainage treatment plant began operation last week, and on Monday, officials from the U.S. Department of Interior and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement toured the site in advance of a special DOI announcement (see companion story).

WHAT: West Virginia University will co-host the 2024 Mine Drainage Task Force Symposium and 15th International Mine Water Association Congress, bringing together mining, water and reclamation experts from around the world who will provide the latest updates on research, regulations and practices involving mine drainage, water quality and rare earth element extraction. 

WHEN: April 21-April 26

West Virginia University scholars will join other water restoration experts to provide the latest updates on regulations and practices during a joint conference hosted by WVU, the West Virginia Mine Drainage Task Force, and the International Mine Water Association.

The event will be held April 21-26, 2024 in Morgantown at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place.