Getting Maximum Yield from Surface Mining Land by Reclaiming Pits with Municipal Waste

Abstract

Surface mines, particularly those of construction minerals, are prime sites for solid waste depositories. Annual surface mining amply creates sufficient void space to accommodate annual volumes of waste generated. Open pits should be used as landfills to accomplish complete reclamation of a majority of mined voids, restoring the land to beneficial surface re-use, thereby conserving land. Present day technology can make almost any pit safe from landfill leachate contaminating groundwaters. Successful examples are given in three Anglo nations. The combining of two earth-disturbing industries, surface mining and landfilling, is advocated. Landfilling problems and pit preparation are discussed. Voluntary reclamation by landfilling and regulatory dual purpose permitting for mining and landfilling is proposed. The public's urgent need for waste disposal space is simultaneously resolved. Fully restored mined lands create increased land values by highly profitable landfilling. Industry and environmentalists should rejoice.

Department(s)

Mathematics and Statistics

Second Department

Computer Science

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0950-6098

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2024 World Scientific Publishing Co., All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 1997

Link to Full Text

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