Introduction

This course covers measures for long-term reclamation success in coal surface mining, from the nature of inimical overburden materials and potential contamination problems, to mining methods and designs that promote successful reclamation. This course is split into 7 parts:

• Part 1 provides an introduction and glossary of terms.
• Part 2 discusses the "Nature of coal-mine overburden," including distribution of coal fields in North America, the kinds of sedimentary strata found typically above and below the coal, the connection between the depositional environment and the types of contaminants found in the overburden, and the connection between rhealogical changes when the overburden is submerged in a groundwater regime and the rock types.
• In Part 3 we look at "Overburden Analysis" and the kinds of tests that can be used to predict contamination and rhealogical changes.
• Part 4 looks at "Potential reclamation problems from routine overburden handling," which is a catalog of potential problems and is meant to reinforce the need for good planning of overburden handling.
• Part 5 goes over the process of "Disposal of inimical material," which is often essential to the economic success of a surface mine but can lead, if done haphazardly, to the need for almost perpetual care and treatment of discharged waters.
• In Part 6 we get to the heart of the course, for which the earlier materials provide the foundation, "Improved handling techniques of surface coal-mine overburden." Examples are presented and diagnosed for each of the major coal surface-mining geometries.
• Part 7 - Conclusions reviews the major parts of the course and suggests that individual designs, responsive to the goals of the course, may need to be tested on sophisticated mine-design software to optimize production before buying capital goods.

The title of this course was changed from "Overburden Placement in Coal Surface Mining for Long-Term Reclamation Success" on 30 September 2008.

Who is the Course For

People active in the design and operation of surface mines for coal and other bedded materials such as china clay, phosphate, tar sands, uranium, etc. People who prepare reclamation plans for these mines. Similarly, people who prepare permit applications and environmental impact assessments for these mines. Environmental resources and reclamation managers

Content

The course comprises 20 learning sessions, each of 30 - 60 minutes duration, plus supporting figures, tables, images, references, suggested exercises, and interactive reviews that confirm achievement of the learning objectives. The total duration of the course is estimated at 12 hours.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify long-term, sustainable reclamation techniques that are based on environmentally sound foundations.
2. Recognize the consequences of poor overburden handling techniques.
3. Recognize improved methods that are environmentally stable.

Duration: 12 Hours

Category: Mining

Level: Advanced