Enhanced cover methods for surface coal refuse reclamation

Conference · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:613839

Gentile, L F; Cargill, K W ^[1]; McGarvie, S D ^[2]

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1. GeoSyntec Consultants, Atlanta, GA (United States)
2. Peabody Coal Company, Graham, KY (United States)

Controlling acid rock drainage (ARD) can be a major component of surface mining reclamation. An enhanced reclamation cover system is being constructed to control infiltration of rain water and generation of ARD from coal-refuse disposal areas at a closed mine in southern Illinois. Development of the mine reclamation plan required consideration of ARD generation in coal refuse disposal areas located adjacent to an alluvial aquifer used for public water supply. An integrated site characterization was performed at the mine to provide information to develop and support the enhanced reclamation plan. The enhanced cover system is similar to covers required for municipal solid waste landfills by the Resource Conversation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Subtitle D regulations. The system comprises a graded and compacted gob layer, overlain by a compacted clay liner, and a protective soil cover. The results of infiltration modeling and analyses showed that the standard reclamation cover is effective in reducing infiltration by about 18 percent compared to an unreclaimed coal-refuse surface. The modeling results showed that the inhanced cover system should reduce infiltration by about 84 percent. The geochemical modeling results showed that the reduction in infiltration would help minimize ARD generation and contribute to an earlier reclamation of the mine site.

• OSTI ID: 613839
• Report Number(s): CONF-9705128--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
ACID MINE DRAINAGE
COAL MINES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
LAND RECLAMATION
MINE DRAINING
REMEDIAL ACTION
SURFACE MINING
WASTE MANAGEMENT