The curses or blessings of topsoil/mixed overburden reclamation

Conference · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Coal Technol. (Houston); (United States)

OSTI ID:5723307

Hoerauf, M; Van Ryn, F

Gulf Coast lignite continues to be on of our most attractive energy resources for the near future. Unlike petroleum, lignite is in abundant supply, and unlike nuclear, solar, or biological energy sources, lignite is a power source with which we have much experience. But as Gulf Coast lignite demand increases, the reclamation success will depend on a thorough, systematic evaluation of the topsoil, subsoil, and overburden materials contained in a mining project area. It can be a blessing or a curse to propose topsoil segregation of alternate plant growth materials in the reclamation plan implemented at a mining operation. A successful reclamation program is essential for bond release, permit acquisition, and ultimately future lignite development. Many mining operations rely on inadequate soil/overburden data and pay the consequences of revegetation failure. This paper briefly examines proper premining soil/overburden inventory methods, presents a system evaluation procedure, and attempts to enlighten the consequences of a chosen reclamation program.

• Research Organization: Morrison-Knudsen Co. Inc.
• OSTI ID: 5723307
• Report Number(s): CONF-831112-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Coal Technol. (Houston); (United States) Journal Volume: 6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
510500 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BROWN COAL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GULF COAST
LAND RECLAMATION
LIGNITE
MATERIALS
MECHANICS
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
OVERBURDEN
REVEGETATION
SOIL MECHANICS
SURFACE MINING
USA