Aim to Reclaim Introduction Welcome to Aim to Reclaim, a virtual lab that takes you inside the world of copper mining. You may remember that the mining process involves four important phases: Exploration, Operations, Distribution, and Reclamation. In this lab, you will explore how mined land is restored and use a virtual model to work through the process of reclamation. During the Reclamation phase, the land surrounding the mine must be returned to an acceptable postmining land use (PMLU). Mined lands can be restored in many ways, including sustainable forestry, rangeland, recreational use, power generation, residential or industrial use, and wildlife habitat. This lab focuses on wildlife habitat. Reclamation takes time and involves special equipment and processes implemented over the following five stages: 1. Planning 2. Engineering 3. Regulatory approval 4. Construction* 5. Monitoring* *This lab explores the processes involved in stages 4 and 5 construction and monitoring. As you learn about construction and monitoring, you will meet with a mining expert and learn about his or her role in mining operations.
Using the Handbook The process of Reclamation has several steps, and different equipment and processes are used at each step. There is a lot of information packed into this lab, so you should take notes in this Handbook along the way. The Handbook is set up to help you organize your notes. Mine Closure Before the mine closes, the company works with other stakeholders to decide the PMLU, including the mine owner, regulatory authority, and the local community. The final decision is made by agreement among these parties. When a mine is preparing for closure, the mine company submits a final approved mine closure plan. Construction In this stage, the area is surveyed and regraded. Cover materials, such as soil, are placed and storm water controls are built to reduce erosion while ensuring that water can flow out of the area. Special equipment is used to prepare a seed bed and spread seeds and mulch. Once plants have been established, wildlife species are reintroduced. Reclamation experts are careful to select native plants and wildlife to maximize successful reclamation and minimize environmental damage (from non-native species).
Meet a Mining Professional, Part 1: Reclamation Manager What is the job of the Reclamation Manager? Why is reclamation done? What are the general steps of reclamation for a wildlife habitat?
Phase 4: Construction Step 1: Survey and regrade area Step 2: Place cover materials and build storm water controls Five Phases of Mine Reclamation for Wildlife Habitat Phase 1: Planning Phase 2: Engineering Phase 3: Regulatory Approval Phase 4: Construction* Phase 5: Monitoring* *Record your notes on these phases below. What happens and why? Equipment Additional notes: What happens and why? Additional notes: used? Equipment used? Benefits of this step to local environment? Benefits of this step to local environment?
What happens and why? Equipment used? Benefits of this step to local environment? Step 3: Prepare seed bed Additional notes: Phase 4: Construction Step 4: Plant and spread seeds and place mulch What happens and why? Additional notes: Plant species notes: I selected the following species: Equipment used? Benefits of this step to local environment?
What happens and why? Equipment used? Benefits of this step to local environment? Additional notes: Phase 4: Construction Step 5: Support native wildlife species Wildlife species notes: My food chain (illustrate or write):
Monitoring To ensure long-term success, experts will monitor the reclamation area over a long period of time. There are three methods used to monitor reclaimed areas remote sensing, field sampling, and Landscape Function Analysis. Each method provides important data about the progress of the reclamation project and the health of the reclaimed land. Meet a Mining Professional, Part 2: Reclamation Manager Why is monitoring reclaimed surfaces important? What kinds of things are monitored? How is reclamation accomplished? Who is involved?
What is involved? What type of measurement or analysis method is used? What type(s) of data is needed? Phase 5: Monitoring Field Sampling Remote Sensing What is involved? What type of measurement or analysis method is used? What type(s) of data is needed? Landscape Function Analysis What is involved? What type of measurement or analysis method is used? What type(s) of data is needed? Note: You may explore the types of monitoring in any order.
Key Vocabulary Compacted soil Cover materials Environmental variables Final grade Invasive species Keystone species Landscape Functional Analysis Native species Post-mining land use (PMLU) Quadrat Reclamation Soil that becomes dense and compressed, often resulting from tracking of the large equipment used for reclamation Local geologic formations of various rock and soil used for reclamation to maximize vegetation growth and resist erosion Existing conditions at the mine area that are used to determine aspects of the reclamation plan (i.e. climatic setting, precipitation, evaporation, temperature, surrounding flora, existing fauna, etc.) Cover materials (such as soil) placed on top of subgrade according to the approved design. (See subgrade.) Types of plants or animals that are not naturally found in a specific area, and which may outcompete native species Species that is vital to maintaining the health of a natural community or ecosystem A method to monitor plant growth on reclaimed lands Animal or plant species that are naturally found in areas surrounding the reclaimed mine (compare with Invasive species) A purpose towards which a mine reclamation plan is directed following closure of the mine A square made of wire or plastic placed on top of vegetation to represent a consistent sample area, from 25 x 25 cm to 1 x 1 meter or more, depending on average plant size and density Remediating or restoring a mined area to accommodate a specific planned use Reference site Remote sensing Revegetation An unmined area that is used as a benchmark to develop the reclamation plan for and area and to compare against when complete to determine success A variety of technologies used to monitor reclaimed landscapes The process of soil preparation followed by seeding to grow native plants on reclaimed lands
Revetment Subgrade Erosion control methods within an area with high erosion potential (rock, concrete, or formed products) Grading of existing mined materials to prepare the reclamation surface for cover materials and revetment