To examine the application of geomorphic design as reclamation approach for surface mines in steep regions with higher rainfall in Appalachia, the West Virginia University has conducted a modeling study at a Arch Coal operated mountaintop mine in southern West Virginia, reports the State Journal.
The goals of the study were to come up with a design that would recontour the land for better stability, greater plant diversity and lower costs — to minimize the adverse effects of the mining, he said, while benefiting from the stability philosophies of the AOC approach.
A comparative analysis shows that the geomorphic design results in more stream-feet — 31,000 compared with 20,000 — and would give greater slope stability than the original AOC design through most of the area.
It would be more expensive than the AOC design, Quaranta [John Quaranta, associate professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at WVU] said, but does not yet know how much more.