Rehabilitation plans for open cast mines usually involve the replacement of (degraded) topsoil and a grass seed mix, which must then be maintained for only three to five years. In comparing agricultural areas and mining areas, the main mining areas are to be found in what is predominantly maize and sugar cane farming regions.
What is the best way to restore agricultural land?
Restoration of degraded agricultural land is achieved through several agronomic and biological techniques. Crop rotations, agro-forestry, reduced tillage, cover crops, vegetative filter strips, residue, canopy cover management and no-till are important among these (Lamb, Erskine, & Parrotta, 2005).
What is restoration of mine areas?
Restoration of mine areas is amelioration of physical and chemical characteristics of substrate and ensuring the return of vegetation cover. It also involves identification of specific problems hindering ecosystem redevelopment and intervention to help the recovery of vegetation cover by designing or mimicking natural processes.
Can abandoned mine lands be reused?
As part of EPA’s commitment to finding innovative and effective solutions to the potential threats abandoned mine lands pose to human health and the environment, significant attention is being focused on potential future uses of these lands, and the economic, environmental, and social impact that reuse can provide.
What happens to land after mining?
After mining, the land must be rehabilitated in a manner that is safe and efficient, so that the land will continue to be healthy. If this doesn’t happen, then the land that has been mined will affect the rest of the land, and the surrounding area, in a disastrous manner.
How can mining lands be restored?
After the coal is stripped, mine companies are legally required to do some restoration, which usually involves replacing the exploded soil and rock—rubble—covering it with a layer of topsoil, and seeding it with anything that will hold the ground together.
What are some ways an area can undergo reclamation after being mined?
What are some ways an area can undergo reclamation after being mined? Refilled/reshaped w/vegetation planted; filled w/water to become a lake; turned into landfill; left open as home for bats or sealed off if underground.
Can surface mines be restored?
Mine structures such as mills, shops, headframes, and others of historic value are stabilized and preserved. Otherwise, the pre-mine condition is restored wherever possible. Reshaping the surface stabilizes slopes and drainages, waste rock piles, tailings ponds, highwalls, and access roads.
What is the process of restoring disturbed areas from surface mining?
Mining of mineral resources results in extensive soil damage, altering microbial communities and affecting vegetation leading to destruction of vast amounts of land. Reclamation is the process to restore the ecological integrity of these disturbed mine land areas.
Which action can help restore land that has been disturbed by mining?
Mine reclamation is the process of modifying land that has been mined to ecologically functional or economically usable state.
How do you restore land after overburden?
Terms in this set (7)Regrading land to its original topography. … Replacing and or adding topsoil/nutrients as needed to improve soil quality or structure. … Replanting with native vegetation/ fast growing species/ early successional species.
How much does it cost to reclaim land after mining?
Estimated costs of mined land reclamation averaged $3,500 per acre in 1976 for western coal regions, an average of 5 cents per ton of coal produced and less than 1 percent of mine-mouth coal prices.
What is the mine reclamation process?
Reclamation is the combined process by which adverse environmental effects of surface mining are minimized and mined lands are returned to a beneficial end use. End uses may be open space, wildlife habitat, agriculture, or residential and commercial development.
What is the process of returning land to its original or better condition after mining called?
Reclamation is the process of returning land to its original condition after mining is completed. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 created a program for the regulation of surface coal mining on public and private land.
How much does it cost to reclaim land after mining 2021?
According to OSMRE, the states and tribes have estimated total unfunded costs for the reclamation of eligible sites of approximately $11.5 billion to date.
What is land reclamation?
Land reclamation is the process of creating new land from the sea. The simplest method of land reclamation involves simply filling the area with large amounts of heavy rock and/or cement, then filling with clay and soil until the desired height is reached.
What happens to the land after mining?
In addition to physical landscape damage, mining operations create sediment containing heavy metals which settle into surrounding soil, or are carried by wind or water to contaminate rivers or other land areas. These metals aren’t biodegradable so the soil stays contaminated without corrective action.
What is land rehabilitation after mining?
Land rehabilitation after mining isn’t just something that happens once the mining has finished, instead, it’s something that needs to happen every step of the way, and it is one of the first things that must be considered. AMS provides mine services that allow you to create a mining design plan that is safe and efficient while putting …
What happens when mines are abandoned?
During the process of mining, chemicals, and heavy metals are used, and as this process goes on, these chemicals and heavy metals are released. When they are released, they affect the air and water, damaging the entirety of the land, and affecting the local agriculture.
What is AMS in mining?
AMS has provided and continues to provide, supervisors, and experienced crew members that deliver emergency response services to mines that are facing specific difficulties. Difficulties such as ground that has been improperly excavated, floodings, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals affecting the air within the mine, as well as other accidents that endanger the lives of the miners. Our response teams are capable of dealing with these problems in a safe and efficient manner.
What happens if you don’t close off mining?
If the individual minerals and substances that contain those heavy metals and toxic chemicals aren’t closed off, then those chemicals can still oxidize, which will lead to them affecting the air quality in the surrounding areas, which could lead to the local population becoming injured.
What happens when you strip mine?
When you strip mine, you remove the soil and vegetation off of a piece of land, and then you are able to access deposits of coal, and other minerals, that are closer to the surface – thus causing a need for land rehabilitation after mining. Both of these mining processes create various problems that affect the land that is housing these mines.
How does mining affect the environment?
Due to the effects that mining has on the environment, the land that has been mined must be rehabilitated, in some way, so that it can remain healthy, without damaging or affecting the surrounding environment in …
How does strip mining work?
As a mining process, it consists of going deep into the ground, digging and tunneling through layers of dirt and soil, in order to reach deposits of coal, as well as various types of minerals, among other resources. Strip mining has a much more direct effect on the soil and vegetation of an environment. When you strip mine, you remove the soil and …
Research Issue
Mining operations in the eastern United States have heavily degraded extensive areas of land, especially in West Virginia. Throughout the state and in the southern coalfield current post-mining land use (PMLU) often leads to underutilization of natural resources and deterioration of essential ecosystem services (e.g.
Our Research
We established a local bioenergy demonstration farm to advance mine reclamation phytotechnologies, adapt best management practices, and overcome the barriers described above.
Expected Outcomes
This information is important for industry leaders, policymakers, and resource managers interested in enhancing ecological recovery on heavily disturbed lands following mining operations. Researchers will also gain vital information for understanding the potential of trees other than black locust for mine site reclamation and restoration.
Research Results
Zalesny, R.S. Jr.; Headlee, W.L. 2014. Using environmental remediation to enhance afforestation and reforestation. In: 3rd Science in the Northwoods Conference; October 15-17, 2014; Boulder Junction, WI.
Research Participants
Amir Hass, West Virginia State University, Agricultural and Environmental Research Station, Institute, WV
Stakeholder Involvement and Mine Reuse
Identification and Evaluation of Community Involvement Activities in Abandoned Mine Land Communities (PDF) (21 pp, 442 KB)
This report identifies community involvement challenges that are typical to AML sites and to provide examples of how these challenges have been successfully addressed.
Innovative Reuse at Mining Sites – Fact Sheets
Shining Light on a Bright Opportunity: Developing Solar Energy on Former Mine Lands (PDF) (27 pp, 3.2 MB). December 2011.
Examples of Site Reuse Activities Involving Alternative Energy
Renewable energy projects are already in place at hardrock and coal mining sites. These energy projects are powering cleanup activities and generating electricity sold to local utilities.
Renewable Energy Feasibility Assessments at Mine Sites
Through direct technical and analytic support, the EPA AMLT is working with Regional offices to help site stakeholders evaluate mining sites for their renewable energy development potential. The following reports highlight sites where these activities have taken place with AMLT support:
Additional Renewable Energy Resources
Re-Powering America’s Land: This initiative identifies the renewable energy potential of these sites and provides other useful resources for communities, developers, industry, state and local governments or anyone interested in reusing these sites for renewable energy development.
How does mining help farmers?
One of the benefits for farmers is that their pastures are cleared of alien vegetation. In this case, the invasive black thorn is removed and the soil is restored as mining operations progress.
What is the duty of mining companies?
Mining companies must conduct environmental impact assessments and illustrate how they are planning to rehabilitate the land. It is the duty of the affected farmer and the DMR to see to it that the company keeps its word. “The mining company must let the DMR know what impact mining will have on the environment, …
What does Janse say about mining?
Janse says that good legislation and regulations are in place to protect landowners, the environment, agriculture, the community and the mining companies . “There are numerous conditions that every prospective miner must meet before he or she is allowed to commence mining activities.
What is the DMR?
This includes the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, which all provide input before granting mining rights. The DMR, in particular, is adamant that mined land is returned to the owner in the same, …
What is the water used in diamond mining?
A lot of water is used in diamond mining, but they have built large silt dams that filter the water through sand for reuse. In addition, the silt dams leave good quality, fertile soil behind. “There is space on the same piece of land for miners and farmers.
Is there a rehabilitation at the diamond mine?
Rehabilitation at this diamond mine is done in conjunction with the mining activities. The vegetation is clearly starting to recover, despite a severe drought. Charl says he has experienced many of these problems since they started mining diamonds on his land.
Does South Africa have agricultural land?
Janse Rabie, head of policy for natural resources at Agri SA, says South Africa, like any other country, has limited agricultural land at its disposal. “When mining rights and licences are handed out, there is less land available for agriculture. In most cases farmers pull the short straw when it comes to competing for clean water …
Why is restoration of agricultural land important?
Restoration of agricultural land is important for sustainability of agriculture and environment. Land is under immense pressure due to ever increasing population thereby ensuing growing demand for food, fiber and shelter. Agricultural land is being deteriorated due to different anthropogenic and natural factors.
How to restore saline land?
For saline land restoration, the first step is to determine the source of the recharge. If this can be identified, action should be taken to reduce the leakage of water into the ground. Where irrigation is causing the recharge, options include:
What is the purpose of applying organic manure and mineral fertilizers?
b) Applying organic manures and mineral fertilizers: Application of manure and fertilizers provide essential in restoration of agricultural land. Manure and fertilizers provide essential plant nutrients in the soil for better crop growth. The crops with fast growth cover the soil quickly and give higher yields.
What are biological measures for restoration of agricultural land?
Biological measures such as buffers, conditioner application in direct contact with the soil surface, crop residues using manure protect the soil from erosion.
What is salinity in agriculture?
Restoration of Saline agricultural land. Soil salinity describes the soluble salt content of soil. Saline soils contain large concentrations of soluble salts, usually the chlorides (Cl-) and sulfates (SO42-) of sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+), and magnesium (Mg2+) salts.
What is the dominant force in soil erosion?
Soil erosion is initiated when there is low vegetation cover on the soil surface. Wind erosion is the dominant force but water erosion can also cause significant degradation. Restoration of degraded agricultural land is achieved through several agronomic and biological techniques.
How much of Uganda’s GDP is lost due to land degradation?
Uganda loses approximately from 4 to 12% of her GDP due to land degradation (Bolwig, 2002). The most severely affected areas include highlands, mountains areas under agriculture. Soil erosion has been recorded as a single major physical driver of agricultural land degradation in the country.
Safe Mining & Rehabilitation
Land Rehabilitation Services
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Mines that have been closed or abandoned are not safe. If the mine itself has not been rehabilitated, then the chemicals within the mine will continue to affect the surrounding land. Rehabilitating a mine that has been closed, or abandoned, is not always easy. Every mine is different, and this means that every mine has different rehabilitation needs. Some of the mines t…
Mining Rehabilitation
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If the individual minerals and substances that contain those heavy metals and toxic chemicals aren’t closed off, then those chemicals can still oxidize, which will lead to them affecting the air quality in the surrounding areas, which could lead to the local population becoming injured. Other mines require a slightly different approach. Due to the nature of erosion, and how it affects the l…
Mine Rehabilitation – American Mine Services
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AMS has provided and continues to provide, supervisors, and experienced crew members that deliver emergency response services to mines that are facing specific difficulties. Difficulties such as ground that has been improperly excavated, floodings, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals affecting the air within the mine, as well as other accidents that …