April 22, 2026 - The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection investigated a mine site on Tuesday after reports of a white material in the water near the Madison area of Boone County.

WVDEP’s Chief Communications Officer Terry Fletcher said crews conducted an inspection at a mine site owned by Lexington Coal Company, and there is no evidence of discharge going outside the permitted boundary.

“The white material visible in the photos is sulfur-reducing bacteria,” Fletcher said. “While it may appear unsightly, these are naturally-occurring bacteria that reduce the sulfate levels in water. No visible bacteria was observed off the permit area or in the adjacent stream.”

According to a DEP permit, the agency issued a violation at the same mine site in 2025 for failing to maintain a mine pool at the proper elevation, but that issue was later resolved.

Fletcher said, according to the inspection by crews onsite, the discharge is flowing into a sediment control pond which is consistent with the DEP’s permit requirements.

Fletcher said the photos in the report show a white material and described it as an artesian discharge.

The WVDEP is still monitoring site conditions and investigating.