Evaluation of Methods for Handling and Burial of Toxic Strip Mine Spoil

摘要

Surface mining practices confirm few established procedures exist for toxic spoils handling. Lack of any proven systematic approach is a hindrance to the surface mining industry and the regulatory bodies that govern it. Development of current methods of toxic spoils handling resulted mostly from trial and error efforts of individual mining operators. Present measures are less efficient than they might be. Factors affecting efficiency include limited data and poor interaction among operators and research institutions and regulatory agencies as well as the absence of any comprehensive monitoring program to adequately assess results.