Sustainable reclamation practices for a large surface coal mine in shortgrass prairie, semiarid environment (Wyoming, USA): case study

Abstract

Sustainable reclamation practices for large surface coal mines in USA semiarid environment contribute to the quality of the environmental on a long term basis where environmental resources are protected for future generation. Land, after reclamation, must be suitable for the previous use of greatest economic or social values to the community area. In the semiarid climate of USA, non-developed land is mainly utilized for crops, grazing, and wildlife. Completion of various stages of the reclamation processes includes verification and approval of reclamation criteria and performance standards created by state agencies. The sustainable reclamation practices were investigated at the USA’s largest surface coal mine of the semiarid environment in Wyoming. These practices include building post-mining topography to the approximate original contour and reestablish a stable hydrologic system to drain surface water. All available spoil material is backfilled and graded to achieve the post-mining topography which closely resembles the pre-mining topography. No overburden material or other coal waste material is left in stockpiles at the mine. Detailed planning until the end of mining, the knowledge of available volumes of suitable backfill material and soil is necessary for sustainable management practices. Diverse and permanent vegetation capable of stabilizing soil surfaces and capable of self-regeneration is established. Sustainable management of the reclamation effort is achieved by enforcement processes developed by the state and federal agencies. Monthly inspections of mining and reclamation operations and reviews of annual reports submitted by the operator help determine if the reclamation processes are occurring according to the permit plan.

Mapping Foliar C, N, and P Concentrations in An Ecological Restoration Area with Mixed Plant Communities Based on LiDAR and Hyperspectral Data

“…In recent years, important ecological restoration efforts have gained popularity; for instance, the United Nations recently declared 2021-2030 as the decade for ecosystem restoration [3]. Vegetation, as a vital component in ecological restoration, plays a crucial role by contributing significantly to the structure and function of ecosystems [4,5]. To ensure the stability and resilience of a restored ecosystem, land managers usually employ a variety of species during revegetation with the goal of creating a mixed-species plant community.…”

The use of Groasis Waterboxx devices to improve mineland reclamation efforts by increasing transplant survival and growth of five native woody species

“…high acidity, low organic content, low fertility, and minimal microbial counts) that inhibit the natural recovery of the site (Kesler 2007; Mendez & Maier 2008; Di Carlo et al 2019). For mining to occur sustainably, successful postmining reclamation efforts need to be implemented to restore the esthetics of the site and ecosystem functions (Waitkus 2022). Revegetation is one of the most critical reclamation activities needed to reverse the degradation from mining activities (Navarro‐Ramos et al 2022).…”

Improvement of quarry and slagheap reclamation technology

“…As far as the reclamation of agro-landscape areas is concerned, the least studied technologies are those related the restoration of areas damaged as a result of mining and industrial activities [4]. For example, in Ukraine, in areas with developed mining production, a huge number of waste dumps and quarries have been formed today, thereby disabling significant areas of fertile land.…”