Geomorphic approaches to reclamation of abandoned coal mine slurry impoundment closure

The Appalachian coal fields experienced significant economic downturns with implications of bankruptcies that are expected to affect the legacy of mining permits, which transfers the reclamation responsibilities. The reclamation is required by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Restoration of abandoned mine lands from bond-forfeited mining permits and pre-law sites is ongoing in Appalachia and across the United States. This paper presents the results of research investigating geomorphic landform design (GLD) principles for design alternatives for the closure of an abandoned high-hazard water impounding coal refuse facility.The research work applied GLD principles to a coal mine impoundment structure located in Monongalia County, West Virginia, USA. A series of conceptual reclamation designs were created and compared to a conventional plan. The designs were evaluated for stability, hydrologic response, and material requirements.The geomorphic approach to reclaiming the reservoir area generated uniform contour lines that resulted in less backfill material needed for the design compared to the conventional reclamation approach. However, no substantial difference in peak runoff discharge was observed when comparing the hydrologic response of the created designs. Expanding the area of disturbance to the surrounding ridgeline with high elevations required more filling material and tributaries, which may create some slope instability on the hillside. Accordingly, a small disturbance area covering the reservoir was recommended. The final conclusions of the research indicated that overall, complete GLD may not be a viable option as compared to the traditional impoundment closure process. Nevertheless, the option that combined conventional approaches with GLD principles demonstrated some benefits.