SURFACE MINE PLANNING & DESIGN IMPLICATIONS AND THEORY OF A VISUAL ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PREDICTIVE MODEL

Abstract

Surface mine planners and designers are searching for scientifically based tools to assist in the pre-mine planning and post-mine development or surface mine sites. In this study, I present a science based visual and environmental quality predictive model useful in preparing and assessing landscape treatments for surface mine sites. The equation explains 67 percent of respondent preference, with an overall p-value for the equation <0.000 I and a p-value < 0.05 for each regressor. Regressors employed in the equation include an environmental quality index, foreground vegetation, distant non-vegetation, people, vehicles, utilities, foreground flowers. foreground erosion, wildlife, landscape openness, landscape mystery, and noosphericness (a measure of human disturbance). The equation can be explained with an Intrusion/Neutral Modifier/ Temporal Enhancement Theory which suggests that human intrusions upon other humans results in landscape of low preference and which also suggests that landscape containing natural and special temporal features such as wildlife and flowers can enhance the value of a landscape scene. This research supports the importance of visual barriers such as berms and vegetation screens during mining operations and supports public perceptions concerning many types of industrial activities. In addition, the equation can be applied to study post-mining landscape development plans to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of landscape treatments.