Open Collections

Residuals reuse in aggregate mine reclamation : a decade of BC experience

British Columbia Mine Reclamation Symposium; University of British Columbia. Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering

Stockpiled soils, if available for aggregate mine reclamation, are often poorly developed, lack fertility and organic matter and are biologically on life support. Residuals, in the form of municipal biosolids, pulp and paper mill sludge, lime mud, ash and animal manures can provide the physical, biological and nutrient capital to promote and sustain soil development. For almost a decade many aggregate mines throughout BC have been active participants in the research and use of residuals in reclamation activities. Biosolids, pulp sludge and lime mud have been used extensively in reclamation, research and demonstration activities completed at Ministry of Transportation and Highways pits, municipal quarries, and large private industry mines including Lehigh Northwest Materials’ (Lehigh) Sechelt mine in Sechelt, BC and Producers Pit, situated between the communities of Colwood and Metchosin, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. These examples illustrate successful and innovative utilization of organic residuals in small-scale to high-profile sand and gravel mine reclamation projects. Through prudent organic residuals management and transparent communication of the considerations and benefits of residuals use to the many stakeholders involved in these projects, successful reclamation of aggregate mines is achieved. These successes are cost effective, regionally supported reclamation programs that demonstrate the highest level of environmental stewardship.

Conference Paper

application/pdf

2009-06-04

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/8720

Unreviewed

British Columbia Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation

DSpace