Area strip mine reclamation using dredged material: A field demonstration

Abstract : This report describes the application of dredged material for area strip mine reclamation as a possible alternative to the present practices of dredged material disposal. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate the feasibility of using a cover of dewatered dredged material to reclaim surface mine spoils. The goal of reclamation effort was the prevention and abatement of erosion and acid mine drainage by the use of dredged material as a media for a vegetative cover. The demonstration site consisted of four 80- by 180-ft diked test plots treated as follows: (a) control plot of untreated mine spoil, (b) mine spoil with a 3-ft covering of dredged material, (c) 5 tons/acre of crushed limestone incorporated into the top 6 in. of mine spoil and covered by 3 ft of dredged material, and (d) 7.5 tons/acre of crushed limestone incorporated into the top five grasses and a legume was sown for a vegetative cover as well as plant growth analyses. (Author)