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Work begins to reclaim mine shafts in N. Illinois

OGLESBY, Ill. (AP) -- Reclamation work has started on several century-old, deep mine shafts near Oglesby in north central Illinois.

The News-Tribune in LaSalle reports Friday that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is paying $224,000 for the project. The effort includes filling air shafts and tunnels. Certain areas will be regraded where shale rock was dumped when the mines were being used in the late 1800s.

Money for the project comes from a federal grant for reclaiming abandoned mines nationwide. The site is near Starved Rock State Park and the Illinois River.

Work should be finished in early September.

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Information from: News-Tribune, http://www.newstrib.com

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)