Conference PaperPDF Available

Economic monitoring of a contour surface mine in steep slope Appalachian topography

December 1984

Conference: Proc. 1984 Symp. Surf. Min., Hydrol., Sedimentol., Reclam. 2-7 Dec. 1984.
At: Univ. of Ky., Lexington, KY.

Authors:

Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

Accurate estimates of the costs of various surface mining unit operations in steep Appalachian topography are seldom encountered, but are essential to assessment of the feasibility of improving mined land reclamation via Controlled Overburden Placement (COP) procedures. The purposes and methods of monitoring economic costs and overburden movement at a steeply sloping Appalachian contour surface mine in Wise County, Virginia, are discussed. The monitoring program consists of three phases: daily records of machinery operation, monthly site visits to record mining progress, and studies of unit operations at the Amos Ridge site and at other sites in the area. The monitoring program is designed to allow precise estimates to be made of the machine hours required to move and place defined amounts of overburden under specified conditions. Limitations to the accuracy of such estimates are detailed. Accurate economic information on various mining procedures will facilitate the evaluation of tradeoffs between costs and environmental effects, as is necessary to make effective public policy decisions which affect mine reclamation practice.

Content uploaded by W. L. Daniels

Content may be subject to copyright.

ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.

ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.

Thesis

Mixed integer model for optimizing equipment scheduling and overburden transport in a surface coal m...

January 1987

G.V.R. Goodman

The lack of available techniques prompted the development of a mixed integer model to optimize the scheduling of equipment and the distribution of overburden in a typical mountaintop removal operation. Using this format, a (0-1) integer model and transportation model were constructed to determine the optimal equipment schedule and optimal overburden distribution, respectively. To solve this mixed ... [Show full abstract] integer program, the model was partitioned into its binary and real-valued components. Each problem was successively solved and their values added to form estimates of the value of the mixed integer program. Optimal convergence was indicated when the difference between two successive estimates satisfied some pre-specific accuracy value. The performance of the mixed integer model was tested against actual field data to determine its practical applications. To provide the necessary input information, production data was obtained from a single seam, mountaintop removal operation located in the Appalachian coal field. As a means of analyzing the resultant equipment schedule, the total idle time was calculated for each machine type and each lift location. Also, the final overburden assignments were analyzed by determining the distribution of spoil material for various overburden removal productivities. Subsequent validation of the mixed integer model was conducted in two distinct areas. The first dealt with changes in algorithmic data and their effects on the optimality of the model. The second area concerned variations in problem structure, specifically those dealing with changes in problem size and other user-inputed values such as equipment productivities or required reclamation.

Conference Paper

Suitability of various cool-season grass species for reclamation of acid surface-mined coal spoils o...

December 1982

A field study was begun at Ken Surface Mine in Ohio County, Kentucky during August of 1977. This study was established for the purpose of expanding the knowledge pool concerning the relative suitability of grasses for reclamation of surface-mined coal spoils. Thirty-three separate entries of selected grass species and varieties within species were evaluated in a side by side comparison where ... [Show full abstract] growth media, climatic, and management characteristics of a mine spoil site were identical. These were considered as the subtreatments. Main treatments were then established by seeding each of the thirty-three entries separately in a pure stand, with a legume mixture, and with KY 31 tall fescue. To further expand the scope of the experiments all of the above were repeated during March of 1978 in order to evaluate all combinations of treatments from both a fall and spring seeding time. There were three replications of all combinations of main treatments and split plots within each seeding time.

Book

Strip mining of coal: environmental solutions

January 1976

W.S. Doyle

In light of the energy shortage, extraction of coal by strip mining techniques can be expected to continue and expand. According to a recent government report, it has been estimated that over 50 percent of U.S. coal production for the rest of this century will be mined by surface methods. In the past strip mining was generally conducted with little regard for its effect on the environment. This ... [Show full abstract] has resulted in erosion and water pollution and left areas esthetically scarred and unusable for agriculture, grazing, or recreational use. Techniques are available to reclaim abandoned strip mined lands and to conduct mining in a way that prevents detrimental environmental effects. Authorities emphasize the importance of premining planning and point out that reclamation is less costly and more effective when integrated with the mining operation. This book, based on 19 government reports issued from 1967 through 1974, describes coal surface mining land use and methods, land reclamation methods and sediment and erosion control. Acid mine drainage, its sources, prevention and correction as well as the mechanism of recovery of acid strip mine lakes are discussed. Specific studies on revegetation, use of spoil amendments and the effects of acid mine drainage are included. One chapter describes the Federal Republic of Germany's approach to the problem of reclamation of strip mined lands. The final two chapters discuss reclamation costs. A complete list of the cited reports is given at the end of the book. This is followed by a list of state agencies to be contacted regarding strip mining and land reclamation.

Book

Land and natural resource information and some potential environmental effects of surface mining of...

January 1976

Campbell County, along the east margin of the Powder River Basin in northeastern Wyoming, contains more coal than any other county in the United States. The principal deposit is the Wyodak-Anderson coal bed. The bed is 50-100 feet (15-30 meters) thick over large areas, lies less than 200 feet (60 meters) deep in a north-south trending strip nearly 100 miles (161 kilometers) long and 2-3 miles ... [Show full abstract] (3-5 kilometers) wide, and contains an estimated 15 billion tons (13.6 billion metric tons) of subbituminous, low-sulfur coal that is presently considered to be accessible to surface mining. Extensive mining of this deposit has the potential for causing a variety of environmental impacts and has been a matter of much public concern and debate in recent years. An integrated program of geologic, hydrologic, geochemical, and related studies by the U.S. Geological Survey in central Campbell County provides basic information about the land and its resources, including (1) characteristics of the landscape, (2) properties of rocks and surface materials, (3) depth and thickness of coal, (4) streamflow, (5) depth to ground water, (6) quality of ground water, (7) sediment yield, (8) concentrations of trace elements in soils, rocks, coal, vegetation, and water, and (9) current land use. The data are used to analyze and predict some of the potential environmental effects of surface mining, such as theextent of land disturbance, nature and degree of landscape modification, and disruption of surface-water and ground-water systems. Advance knowledge and understanding of these and other problems are useful in the planning and regulation of future leasing, mining, reclamation, and related activities.

Article

Reclamation of coal-mined land in appalachia

January 1978

W.T. Plass

The sequence of coal mine reclamation is reviewed. The process starts with overburden placement followed by topsoiling, which may include shape and drainage modifications. Analysis and treatment of soil for revegetation precedes selection of appropriate plants. Species commonly used, primarily grasses, are tabulated. When the seedbed has been prepared, seed and fertilizer are applied, followed by ... [Show full abstract] mulching and other soil stabilizing procedures. Land management options, including crops, pasture, and forest products, are discussed. The present outlook for reclamation success is optimistic. (3 photos, 16 references, 4 tables)