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| Syllabus | |
| 1 History of Mining | |
| 2 Using Maps | |
| 3 Geological Exploration | |
| 4 Geophysical Exploration | |
| 5 Geochemical Exploration | |
| 6 Secondary Exploration | |
| 7 Open Pit Mining | |
| 8 *****Mid Term***** | |
| 9 Strip Mining & Placer Mining | |
| 10 Underground Mining | |
| 11 Permits and Laws | |
| 12 Environ/Health/Safety | |
| 13 Jobs and Tools | |
| 14 Mineral Economics | |
| 15 Reclamation | |
| 16**** Final Exam***** | |
| Resources | |
| Staff E-mail | |
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Lesson 15 Objectives:
Reclamation technology has expanded from its original agricultural roots to embrace hydrology, wildlife and compliance. Reclamation science has responded to legal requirements, reconstruction of endangered habitats, revitalization of damaged environmental systems, and establishment of wetlands. Reclamation methods are used to minimize the impact of human development from surface mining, as well as in housing subdivisions, on ski slopes, and in highway reconstruction. This chapter presents economical and successful reclamation techniques that have survived the test of practical application. Many of the techniques are a cumulation of scientific studies and practical experience. Preserving the Environment
Public concern about the quality of the environment has intensified in recent years and has brought some beneficial reforms. Today, for example, detailed reclamation plans must be approved by government officials and local permitting groups even before mining begins. Mining operations, including smelting and refining, can be pursued while meeting necessary standards for the protection of human health. Still, some temporary environmental disturbance is inevitable if there is to be minerals production. Another question of public concern is the effect of surface mining on the land. Today surface mining is practiced in all 50 states and provides over 60 percent of the coal we use and more than 95 percent of the domestic output of phosphate rock, clays, copper, uranium, iron, crushed stone and gravel. Yet, there is another astounding fact: Despite extensive exploration, during the entire history in U.S. well over 99 percent of the land surface never has been touched by mining. In earlier times, technologies were primitive and, unfortunately, so were the attitudes of some operators, who left the landscape scarred. Today, such irresponsible approaches are prohibited by law. Through extensive environmental planning, for instance, coal producers now return all mined land to the same or better condition than existed before the mining took place. Other mineral producers also spend millions of dollars reclaiming mine sites. Underground mining does not disturb the land in the same way
as surface mining, but the mining companies take great care to
protect the water and wildlife surrounding their operations,
too. Industry also is cleaning up the air by reducing sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-burning utility plants by nearly 30 percent since 1973, even though coal use has increased by about 85 percent. New improvements are being made with the use of clean coal technologies, which have been developed and tested in laboratories and plants around the country and are now ready for commercial use. America has enough coal to provide its energy for centuries to come, and these new processes to remove coal's impurities will help protect the environment for future generations. Pictures
are of Quartz Creek Reclamation Project-During the 1970's
a dozer trail was used to access gold mining claims on Champion
Creek, Little Champion Creek, Quartz Creek and upper Bear Creek.
This route, which has been dubbed the Quartz Creek Trail, may
have been developed as early as the 1950's. The Quartz Creek
Trail is located approximately 50 miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska,
within the White Mountains National Recreation Area (WMNRA).
Resources Kinross has a committment to reclamation. Read about
current Alaska projects. Kinross brochure for reclamation. Mining glossary Changing Times in Kimberly- The transition of Kimberley from
a mining town to a tourism/recreation destination and retirement
community is well underway. Pictures of Successful Reclamation Projects Pictures of Successful Reclamation Projectsin Canada McClaren River Mine Alaska-Reclamation pictures of the project
with current expenditures.
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Delta Mine Training Center
Copyright © 2001 DMTC. All rights reserved.