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The study investigates the effect of various soil mixtures, mostly found in the overburden material of coal mines, on the strength parameters and compaction properties. Samples were prepared in laboratory to represent both the soil-type and the rock-type waste dump material by mixing shale, sandstone and clay in varying proportions at an interval of 10% each. Samples from two coal mines located at different geographical locations in the eastern part of India were collected and the shear strength (cohesion and friction angle) and compaction parameters (Maximum dry density, MDD and Optimum moisture content, OMC) of the specimens were determined from laboratory study at moisture content around their OMC and analysed. The results so establish that the shear strength parameters for mixtures containing shale are less sensitive to changes and follows rather a flat curve when plotted against their respective material content in the mixture when compared to that containing clay. However, the compaction parameters were found to follow different trends when plotted against the constituent material (shale, sandstone and clay) content of the mixture.

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Mining of coal deposits in excess of half a billion tons has resulted in a massive volume of coarse overburden (OB) material that is posing challenges in sustainable practice of waste handling and management. Ever increasing land demand for industrial or domestic purposes, mostly in urban or densely populated areas has necessitates better use of wastelands. However, a common problem in establishment of any kind of structure on a backfilled area is the unavailability of any generalized settlement properties of the materials, causing undervaluation of backfilled land. This paper describes the compaction characteristics of coal mine waste dump materials consist mostly of shale and sandstone; and its impact on settlement properties. The various factors influencing the settlement properties of a rockfill spoil dump is also described herein. A numerical analysis of settlement properties of spoil dump during and after construction stage is also presented with the help of PLAXIS software. This study will help in formulating better waste management guidelines in establishment of future waste dump structures in Indian coal mines.