Abandoned Mine Reclamation Glossary
743 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 07 Sep 2026
Rare earth element recovery pathway analysis
The systematic examination of methods to extract and recover economically valuable rare earth elements from mine waste materials, overburden, or tailings during reclamation operations. Analysis evaluates technical feasibility, environmental impact, and economic viability of recovery technologies.
Phytoremediation Feasibility
The technical and economic evaluation of whether plants can effectively remove, stabilize, or degrade contaminants in so...
Phytoremediation Implementation
The strategic planting and management of specially selected plant species to absorb, accumulate, or degrade contaminants...
Phytoremediation Potential
The capacity of plants to uptake, tolerate, and accumulate mine contaminants (particularly metals) from soil and groundw...
Phytoremediation Strategy
The use of specially selected plant species to accumulate, stabilize, or degrade contaminants in soil and groundwater at...
Phytostabilization
An ecological reclamation technique using specially selected plants to immobilize and stabilize contaminated mine soils,...
pit lake
A body of water that forms in an open-pit mine after operations cease and groundwater fills the excavation. These lakes...
Pit lake chemistry
The study and characterization of water quality parameters—including pH, dissolved metals, sulfates, and biological comm...
Pit Lake Development
The formation and management of water bodies in abandoned open-pit mines where the water table naturally rises or fills...
Pit Lake Formation
The development of water bodies in excavated mining voids following cessation of mining operations, which may contain ac...
Pit Lake Formation and Geochemistry
The development and chemical evolution of water bodies that form in open pit mines after mining ceases and groundwater r...
Pit Lake Formation and Management
The controlled development and maintenance of permanent or temporary water bodies in mined-out excavations, involving wa...
Pit Lake Formation Management
The process of monitoring, controlling, and utilizing water bodies that naturally form in excavated pit voids after mini...
Pit slope stability analysis
A geotechnical engineering assessment that evaluates the structural integrity and failure risk of open pit mine walls du...
Pit Wall Stability
The structural integrity and resistance to failure of excavated pit sidewalls, influenced by rock type, slope angle, gro...
Pit wall stabilization
Engineering measures applied to the exposed rock and soil faces of surface mine excavations to prevent slope failure, er...
portal
The surface entrance to an underground mine workings. A critical feature requiring assessment and closure during mine re...
Portal Closure
The process of sealing, capping, or otherwise securing an underground mine entrance to prevent unauthorized access and c...
Portal remediation
The process of restoring, securing, and reclaiming mine entrance areas and tunnel openings to eliminate safety hazards a...
portal sealing
The permanent closure of mine entrances using engineered barriers to prevent unauthorized access and environmental conta...
Portal sealing and stabilization
The structural reinforcement and closure of mine entrance openings to prevent unauthorized access, surface subsidence, a...
Portal Stabilization
Engineering interventions designed to secure the entrance and immediate surrounding areas of an abandoned mine shaft or...
portals
The visible openings or entrances to underground mine workings that provide access to the subsurface mining operations.
Post-Closure Land Use
The planned or actual application of remediated mine sites following completion of active reclamation, encompassing ecol...
Post-closure land use designation
The formal determination and regulatory approval of intended future uses for reclaimed mine properties following complet...