Abandoned Mine Reclamation Glossary
743 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 16 Sep 2026
Brownfield Site
A property with known or suspected environmental contamination from previous industrial or commercial use, typically an abandoned or underutilized mine facility. Brownfield designation often triggers regulatory cleanup requirements and may provide tax incentives for remediation.
Heavy Metal Leaching
The process by which toxic metals such as lead, copper, zinc, and arsenic dissolve into water through chemical reactions...
highwall
The exposed rock face or steep slope created by surface mining operations.
Highwall Reclamation
The process of stabilizing, reshaping, or removing steep rock faces (highwalls) remaining after surface mining operation...
highwall stability
The structural integrity and resistance to failure of the steep rock face remaining after surface mining operations.
Historical Land Use Documentation
The systematic compilation and analysis of records detailing all mining and industrial activities, operational timelines...
Hydraulic Containment
A groundwater management strategy that uses pumping or hydrological engineering to create a pressure gradient preventing...
Hydrogeological assessment
A comprehensive evaluation of groundwater conditions, flow patterns, and contaminant migration potential at a mine site...
Hydrogeological baseline characterization
The systematic documentation and analysis of groundwater conditions, aquifer properties, and subsurface hydrology prior...
Hydrogeological Characterization
The detailed investigation and mapping of groundwater flow patterns, aquifer properties, and contaminant transport pathw...
Hydrogeological Dewatering
The controlled removal and management of groundwater from reclaimed mine sites to achieve stable water levels, prevent s...
Hydrogeological Remediation
The application of hydrogeological principles and engineered systems to restore groundwater quality and manage subsurfac...
Hydrogeological Site Characterization
A comprehensive investigation of groundwater flow patterns, aquifer properties, contaminant distribution, and hydrochemi...
Hydrologic Reclamation
The restoration of water flow patterns, groundwater systems, and surface water conditions in abandoned mine areas to pre...
Hydrologic Reclamation Design
The strategic planning and engineering of water management systems to restore natural hydrology and drainage patterns in...
Hydrologic Restoration
The process of restoring natural water flow patterns, groundwater levels, and surface hydrology in post-mining landscape...
Hydrological Assessment
A comprehensive evaluation of groundwater and surface water flow patterns, quality parameters, and contaminant transport...
Hydrological Baseline Documentation
The systematic recording and analysis of pre-reclamation water characteristics, including groundwater levels, surface wa...
Hydrological Characterization
The comprehensive assessment and documentation of groundwater and surface water movement, flow paths, hydraulic conducti...
Hydrological Closure
The achievement of long-term hydrological equilibrium at a mine site where water balance is sustained naturally without...
Hydrological Connectivity Assessment
An evaluation of how surface and groundwater systems interact with abandoned mine features, determining pathways for con...
Hydrological Containment
Engineering strategies that manage water flow patterns around contaminated mine sites to isolate pollutants and prevent...
Hydrological Modeling and Prediction
The use of computer simulations and mathematical models to forecast water movement, storage, and quality changes across...
Hydrological Modeling and Water Balance Analysis
Quantitative simulation of groundwater and surface water flow patterns through reclaimed mine sites to predict contamina...
Hydrological Monitoring Network
An installed system of groundwater and surface water sampling stations designed to track water quality and quantity chan...