Extraction of minerals by underground mining occurs in many areas of the country. There are also many areas where rocks that are soluble in water create cavities. Any opening in the ground has the potential to settle or collapse. Predicting when this will occur is speculative; it may happen within weeks or it may take centuries. However, by far the most common collapse or settlement is from underground mining.

No matter what the cause, collapse or settlement of the ground changes the contour of the surface from its original condition. Drainage patterns are altered, and damage to structures ranges from catastrophic to minimal. Subsidence, whether from underground mining or sinkhole collapse, can be a one-time event, but can continue for years in the same location.

Donan Engineering’s beginnings were in areas of extensive underground coal mining with subsequent subsidence of the surface. Studies of underground mine subsidence was one of the first forensic projects made by the firm and continues to this day. Clients include affected homeowners, mining companies, and the federal government.