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Sustainable reclamation and 14

water management practices

†
Jeff Skousen*, Carl E. Zipper , Louis M. McDonald*, Jason A. Hubbart*,
Paul F. Ziemkiewicz*
†
*West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg,
VA, United States

14.1 Introduction

Contemporary mining practices can create environments that differ from preexisting
conditions, yet those preexisting conditions are expected to be largely re-established
during reclamation. As public awareness of mining impacts increases, regulatory and
public expectations of the mining industry also advance. As a consequence, environ-
mental laws that regulate the mining industry have become more complex and chal-
lenging. Miners are expected to produce reclaimed mine lands that will support
economically viable postmining land uses while protecting environmental quality
and, for some uses, to re-establish ecosystem structures and processes that often
resemble premining conditions.
Given advances in public awareness and policies, it is in the interest of mining
firms to achieve reclamation and environmental restoration goals. Improved environ-
mental protection and restoration practices and outcomes will result in greater public
acceptance of mining that in turn influence regulatory policies and actions. It is clear
that effective reclamation must be fully integrated with mining operations. Successful
reclamation demands engineering, design, and careful reconstruction of the full min-
ing disturbance; and mitigation of mining effects on the land surface, air, and water.
A capability to produce lands that can support viable postmining use and sustainable
ecosystem services, as needed to satisfy regulatory requirements, is crucial to the long-
term success and profitability of the mining industry.
This chapter provides an overview of mine reclamation methods that can be uti-
lized to restore land use capability and environmental quality. Because the experience
of most of the authors is primarily in the Appalachian region of the United States of
America (USA), reclamation practices of that region are emphasized. In accord with
the book’s theme, special consideration is given to reclamation and water manage-
ment practices that can address emerging regulatory and environmental management
challenges faced by the global mining industry.

Advances in Productive, Safe, and Responsible Coal Mining. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-101288-8.00015-8
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