Abandoned Mine Reclamation Glossary

Structural and environmental restoration of mine entrances and adits, including stabilization of portal walls, removal o...

The installation of permanent or semi-permanent barriers at underground mine entrances to prevent unauthorized access, e...

Engineering work to secure, seal, or reinforce the entrance openings of underground mines to prevent unauthorized access...

A financial guarantee required by regulatory agencies to ensure adequate funds are available for completion of site reme...

The process of closing underground mine openings with engineered barriers such as concrete plugs, bulkheads, or grout to...

A detailed documentation of existing conditions at an abandoned mine site including waste volumes, contamination types a...

A comprehensive document outlining specific actions, timelines, costs, and responsible parties for decommissioning minin...

Process of reconstructing biological communities and ecosystem functions on reclaimed mine sites through native plant es...

A detailed engineering document specifying the final topographic design and earthwork procedures for reshaping an abando...

The legal and financial responsibility assigned to entities for remediation, monitoring, and environmental damage caused...

A dedicated financial mechanism established to ensure long-term maintenance and monitoring of remediated abandoned mine...

The application of engineering principles and technologies to address contamination, hazards, and environmental impacts...

The strategic process of evaluating and designing post-mining land uses that incorporate physical site conditions, commu...

A systematic evaluation of environmental, health, and safety hazards present at abandoned mining locations, including su...

The physical and chemical measures applied to abandoned mining areas to prevent erosion, control dust, secure hazardous...

Overburden material or waste rock removed during mining operations and deposited on the surface, distinct from ore being...

The reshaping and regrading of excavated waste rock piles (spoil) to restore natural topography and improve drainage pat...

The sinking or collapse of surface land above underground mine voids, tunnels, or cavities resulting from ground instabi...

The injection of cementitious or chemical materials into underground voids and fractured rock to stabilize ground and pr...

A systematic evaluation of the probability and potential impacts of ground collapse or settlement caused by underground...

A specialized property insurance product that covers structural damage and liability claims resulting from subsidence ca...

Systematic observation and measurement of surface ground displacement and settling caused by underground mine voids, usi...

A system of installed instrumentation (benchmarks, extensometers, tiltmeters, GPS stations) used to detect vertical and...

The engineering intervention to address or prevent ground collapse caused by underground voids left after mine extractio...