Innovative Recontouring of Abandoned Surface Coal Mined Lands

摘要

This report describes the work performed and the results obtained under a study directed toward identifying innovative recontouring strategies for abandoned surface coal mine lands. The study examined nine specific sites considered typical of abandoned mine lands in the United States. Recontouring costs for these sites were estimated first using conventional reclamation equipment (dozers, scrapers, etc.) as a base case, and second using large dragline stripping equipment for comparison. Using the cost and efficiency data generated during these studies, five innovative techniques were devised and applied to appropriate sites for cost estimation.