Page 243 - Beyond Decommissioning

224 Beyond Decommissioning

planning, safety administrative, and technological details are given in EPA (2005) and
Walker (2015): the following will recap a few case histories extracted from that
reference.
In some cases, mine sites may present positive features that have been successfully
exploited. For example, where the land is generally flat (e.g., in the central USA),
vacant surface mining sites often have lakes scattered between mine spoils. If the
water quality is acceptable, it is not uncommon for single houses or residential com-
plexes to be constructed on the mine spoils around the lake. The landscape beauty and
fishing and sailing opportunities make these sites appealing for redevelopment. The
cost of reshaping the land and adding topsoil is offset by the value of the
redeveloped asset.
Abandoned mining lands can be great locations for wind farms as they are often
situated in mountainous areas with prevailing high winds. These sites are near valu-
able infrastructure, for example, roads and utilities. The large size of many of these
sites encourages the installation of many large wind turbines. Wind farms are bene-
ficial to local communities since they enhance economic growth and generate tax
revenue.
At Finger Lakes State Park, MO, USA, there was practically no need to cap the
acidic spoils or to intercept and process the acidic water flowing in the lakes because
the main uses of the park are trail bike and jeep trails. The safety hazards to the users
resulting from site remaining contamination have been judged negligible.
Extensive research has been conducted to improve the conditions of wetlands and
lakes situated on mined lands for use by waterfowl, mammals, and other creatures. At
certain mine sites, man-made islands have been installed and goose-nesting boxes
have been placed on them. This location off the coastline much decreases reduces
the predation of eggs and babies. Ducks and geese have been widely using these
possibilities.
Neutralization of mine spoils and passive AMD treatment were key approaches for
the Dents Run Watershed, PA, USA reclamation. The approach includes mixing lime-
stone with the acidic spoils; the resulting material backfilled surface mine pits.
Besides, other acidic spoils were isolated and 12 passive treatment systems for
AMD were built. Surface drainage controls were installed to minimize infiltration into
the acid spoil burials. The postreclamation use is grazing land for elk herds. This is due
to the site being a prime location for PA’s elk population. A planting mix suitable for
elk grazing was recommended and was used to provide a permanent soil cap after
reclamation.
The Anaconda Smelter in Anaconda, MT was once a copper smelting facility. The
smelter closed, leaving the local community in a heavy economic crisis from the loss
of jobs and revenues. The area had been contaminated by the smelter operations. EPA,
the community, and the site owners worked together to remediate the site and reuse it
as a golf course. Not only has the golf course considerably ameliorated the landscape,
it has also provided jobs and has sustained the community in their goal to become a
recreational resort. Silver Bow Creek in Butte, MT, was also a copper smelting site.
This site joined EPA’s NPL in 1993 due to heavy contamination of area ponds and
soils. The site has been remediated, and some parts have been redeveloped as a sports