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SES provided key technical support in development of reclamation plans
for a surface mine in Louisiana involving insufficient land reclamation
at an active lignite mine. Reclamation of the mine was the basis of a
contentious lawsuit between the lessor of the mine permit area and the
mining company. The mine is beset
by excessively acidic spoils that require restoration to pre-mine
conditions before successful revegetation can be attempted. SES demonstrated
how expansive areas of highly acidic mine spoils did not meet regulatory
requirements and presented excessive economic liability for the lease
holder. Because of the extent of
the problem (in excess of 3,000 acres), and the amounts of neutralizing
materials that would normally be required, the client has requested that
more innovative, cost-effective strategies be developed. SES has conducted
decision tree analyses in assessing potential restoration strategies,
including costs, to help determine cost-effective ways of properly
reclaiming the soils at the site. The
use of GIS tools aided in the evaluation of the 8-square-mile area and
the impacts of the reclamation problems.
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