Mining for Closure: Policies, practises and guidelines for sustainable mining and closure of mines

Box 12 Synergistic benefits of coal reject remining 99

Case example

Wildwood coal remining project, Pennsylvania

Project description

ACV Power Corporation at its Wildwood Project in Allegheny County near Hampton Township, Pennsylvania. This five person operation reclaimed 42.5 acres of abandoned mine land adjacent to North park, a large public park in the Pittsburgh suburbs, through the remining of a 50-year- old abandoned coal refuse pile that was burning.

Incentives/benefits

Landscape remediation at zero cost to taxpayers Increased property values Assumed profitable operation by entrepreneur

Rehabilitation works carried out as part of mining operations

The project dramatically improved ground and surface water in the area and increased the value of the surrounding properties. Through Pennsylvania’s remining programme, the project, which removed approximately 900,000 tons of acidic waste coal from the landscape, was completed at no cost to taxpayers. In addition, AVC’s relationship with the power plant allowed for the exchange of the waste coal material for Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC) alkaline ash material that was used in the reclamation of the site. By utilizing CFBC ash, ACV created a fertile seedbed and effectively eliminated the leaching of pollutants into nearby Pine Creek and the area’s groundwater. Local officials were initially against this project due to concerns about increased truck traffic, potential dust and noise problems, and the potential for pollution. How- ever, upon completion of the site, township officials issued a letter of commendation to ACV recognizing that “the long-term benefit well outweighs the minor inconvenience [related to truck traffic].” This small waste coal company, ACV Power, was able to make a significant impact at the Wildwood site both esthetically and environmentally

Box 13 Beyond compliance reclamation in ongoing quarry works

Case example

Baggaley quarry remining

Project description

Hanson Aggregates, at its Baggaley Quarry located in Pennsylvania, reclaimed an entire site, even though it was legally obligated to reclaim only those areas affected after 1972. The final open pit highwall was 900m long (3000 feet) and averaged 52m (170 feet) in height.

Incentives

Not listed

Rehabilitation works carried out as part of mining operations

Despite limited onsite material and significant challenges due to the elevation, the area was com- pletely reclaimed. Rolling hills have replaced the highwalls and the quality of a nearby trout stream has been maintained. The post-mining land use was designed with multiple purposes in mind, including fish and wildlife habitat as well as an industrial site in an area where flat land is at a pre- mium. The Baggaley Quarry was essentially a remining operation in a high quality, sensitive water- shed. Through a combination of extensive monitoring and well-designed reclamation techniques, the nearby stream - which is classified as a high quality, cold water fishery - was preserved. Addi- tionally, the natural wildlife habitat that was created has attracted whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear, various ducks and geese along with raptors common to such areas such as owls and hawks. During the course of its operation, the Baggaley Quarry had an excellent compliance record.

99. Examples shown in Box 12 and Box 13 are drawn from IMCC Presents 2001 National Reclamation Awards at http://www.imcc. isa.us/NewsLetters/NewsMay2001.htm The Interstate Mining Compact Commission, based in Washington D.C. is a multi-state governmental agency / organization that represents the natural resource interests of its member states. First envisioned in 1964, the Commission came into existence in 1970 with the entry of its

first four states. Since that time, 13 additional states have enacted legislation bringing them into the Compact, and 3 additional states have become associate members as they pursue enactment of legislation which will make them full members. The Com- mission operates through several committees composed of duly appointed representatives of the Governors from their respective Departments of Natural Resources or Environmental Protection.

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MINING FOR CLOSURE