culm

Definition

Waste material consisting of coal dust and rock debris left over from coal mining and processing.

Etymology

Originating from the Middle English 'culme,' likely from the Middle Dutch 'kolen' meaning coal; it has been used since the 14th century to refer specifically to coal waste or inferior coal.

In the news

Kury describes seeing a massive culm bank near his grandparents' home as a child, which highlighted the environmental damage left behind by the coal industry.

Remembering the ‘visionary’ author of Pa.’s environmental rights amendment

Mon Valley Independent

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