Strip-mining techniques to minimize environmental damage in the upper Missouri River Basin states. Information circular, 1975

Technical Report · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975

OSTI ID:7331522

Persse, F H

To meet escalating energy requirements, substantial increases in production from strippable coal and lignite deposits in eastern Montana, western North Dakota, and northeastern Wyoming already have occurred, and further expansions are expected to continue at least until the year 2000. Such production, attributable largely to rising demand for low-sulfur coal, must be accomplished with a minimum of adverse effects on the environment. Information on geology, climate, and current land use in the Upper Missouri River basin is presented as a guideline to what operators expect during, and after mining. Proven methods of protecting the air and water from pollution and of restoring mined land for other uses are described by the Bureau of Mines. In addition, untried methods of land reclamation, some with equipment yet to be manufactured are discussed as means of maintaining high aesthetic values in the basin. Costs incurred to protect the environment are legitimate part of the production cost and must be born by the ultimate consumer. Unit production costs are less for the thick coal and lignite deposits of the basin than for the thinner but higher Btu coal deposits of the eastern and midwestern United States. (GRA)

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Denver, Colo. (USA). Intermountain Field Operation Center
• OSTI ID: 7331522
• Report Number(s): PB-245843; BM-IC-8685
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
510500 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COAL MINING
COST
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
LAND RECLAMATION
MINING
MONTANA
NORTH AMERICA
NORTH DAKOTA
PRODUCTIVITY
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
SURFACE MINING
USA
WYOMING