Comparative Effects of Alternative Re-Mining and Reclamation Strategies on Erosion Potential at a Case-Study Abandoned Mined Land Site

Abstract

Re-mining of abandoned mined lands (AML) by active operations provides opportunities to reclaim these lands so as to eliminate environmental problems created by previous mining. Generally, if remaining coal reserves are sufficient to justify re-mining at a given AML site, a number of alternative re-mining strategies will be available. This project compared the potential environmental effects of alternative re-mining and reclamation strategies at a case study AML site in Dickenson County, Virginia. Estimates of reduction in soil loss and sediment yield likely to be achieved by various re-mining and reclamation strategies, relative to current conditions, were utilized as indicators of environmental improvement. The results of computer modeling procedures and on-site observations indicate that there are substantial differences among the environmental effects of available re-mining and reclamation strategies. Those strategies which reclaim outslope spoils are the most effective, from an environmental improvement standpoint. However, in the current regulatory environment, the most likely re-mining strategies would reclaim bench and highwall areas, but not outslopes. While such strategies do result in some environmental improvement, they also degrade the ability of remaining coal reserves to sustain future reclamation that will eliminate remaining environmental liabilities.

Linking Research and Regulatory Policy to Enable Advances in Reclamation Practice

“…Virginia Tech's Powell River Project participated in that activity, but a number of task force recommendations failed to receive federal approval by OSM. In the early 1990s based on that experience, Virginia Tech initiated research to address policy barriers created by SMCRA for AML reclamation by active operations, including environmental consequences of then-current policies (Zipper et al, 1992) and perceptions by mining industry, regulatory agency, and environmental interest personnel of policy options (Santopietro and Zipper, 1996). In 1994, Virginia Tech's Powell River Project produced a video presentation to enhance public awareness of the AML reclamation problem, with Virginia DMLR cooperation (Zipper and Slemp, 1994), which was circulated to other state agencies and within OSM.…”

The Powell River Project: A Land-Grant University Program Serving Virginia's Coal-Producing Region

“…The result is often "remnant recovery" re-mining operations, which remove coal from previously mined sites while excluding environmental problems from permitted areas. (Zipper et al, 1992).…”