Presenter: Amir Hass, Ph.D.

West Virginia State University Agricultural & Environmental Research Station

Levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) of stream water in watersheds affected by surface coal mining in Central Appalachian Region remains elevated and at harmful levels decades after mine closure and reclamation. An extensive study by the USEPA from 2011 suggests specific conductance of 300 μS cm-1 (SC; used as proxy for TDS), as a chronic aquatic life benchmark value “…below which 95% of the observations of the genus occur and above which only 5% occur” (EPA/600/R-10/023F, 2011). While optimistic at first that TDS levels in leachate from non-acid forming spoils will ‘drop quickly’, field studies on the topic in the last decade failed to document consistent decline in SC to below the chronic aquatic life benchmark (300 μS cm-1) or the ecoregion background levels (< 100 μS cm-1) in the preponderance of the region tested sites. To date, no practice exists to directly ameliorate the long-term elevated SC problem; with most effort being aimed at implementing prevention measures (i.e. limit exposure of TDS-generating material to water and hydrologic pathways; promote high ET vegetative cover to limit subsurface drainage and leaching, etc.). In this study, we present an approach to solve (not prevent) the long-term high SC problem in stream water associated with surface mining affected headwaters; specifically, that of mountaintop removal valley fill operation – the most common surface mining operation in the Central Appalachian Region. The conceptual framework of the practice will be described and discussed, and empirical observation from a paired-watershed study use to demonstrate it.

Presenter: Kelby Wilkison

TriHydro Corporation

2023 marks the 10-year anniversary of two Abandoned Mine Land (AML) reclamation projects designed using Carlson Natural Regrade and geomorphic reclamation techniques. The Teach AML (Iowa) and the Rosebud Pit (Wyoming) are located 730 miles apart in vastly different climatic and geological areas. However, both were designed and reclaimed using landform grading techniques to mimic native topography using varying slope aspects, concave and convex slopes, and varying channel types. Now a decade later did this technique work and how has observation of these sites impacted design decisions on other AML reclamation projects? This presentation will provide a project history of these two sites, lessons learned, and the evolution of geomorphic designs for the reclamation of AML sites. Lessons learned will include the importance of understanding landscape dynamics and regional conditions, ecological recovery and biodiversity, soil management and stability, hydrological processes and water resources management, stakeholder and contractor engagement, and adaptive management strategy implementation. Despite the progress made, challenges and limitations persist that impact site selection, design features, post-reclamation goals, and overall project success. The presentation will explore future directions using geomorphic reclamation and the importance of integrating new ideas such as multiple land uses within a project site and consideration of climate change adaptation. Collaboration and knowledge sharing will also be highlighted as essential factors for successful reclamation projects.

Presenter: Jim Kooser

Atlas Technical Consultants
Mine reclamation often results in the establishment of a plant community dominated by non-native grasses and forbs. While such communities may be established quickly, they generally offer little in the way of productive wildlife habitat. Establishing meadows or prairie like stands of native grasses and forbs is a sustainable way to establish cover after initial reclamation efforts. Native meadows support habitat for a variety of native birds and other wildlife. There is growing interest in steps to support native pollinator populations. Native grasses and forbs provide food, nesting and escape habitat for bees, butterflies, and other insect pollinators. Designing a self-sustaining native plant community for abandoned mine lands requires knowledge of the topography and hydrology of the site, the physical condition of the soil and soil nutrient status. Native meadow species are often adapted germinating and growing in relatively nutrient poor conditions; soils amendments may not be required in some applications. Effective designs should be based on clear goals and objectives, defining the target species and the ecosystem processes that will be supported. It is often helpful to model a reclamation design after a local reference site. The use of native plants and seeds requires the same site preparation as that used for “traditional” reclamation mixes. Native seeds can be applied using the same equipment and techniques used for traditional methods. In general, the establishment phase runs longer for native plant communities generally taking two to three years for all seeds to germinate and establish, as opposed to one year for more traditional seed mixes. Once established though, native communities tend to be much more resilient than non-native communities and require little maintenance. Reclamation based on establishing native plant communities helps establish food webs that are more complex, and therefore more resilient and sustainable, than those supported by non-native plant communities. In this presentation, we will discuss species appropriate for mine reclamation, the benefits of such approaches, and techniques used to establish and maintain native meadow/prairie stands.

Presenter: Annica Brown

US Forest Service

The New World Mining District is located in Montana, northeast of Yellowstone National Park, within the Custer Gallatin National Forest. In 1996, the US Government entered into a settlement agreement with Crown Butte Mining, Inc. to buy out their interest in the lands and $22.5 million was set aside to reclaim historic mining disturbances within the New World Mining District. Three river systems contaminated by acidic, metal laden mine waste material flow into Yellowstone National Park. Waste dumps, tailings, and ore stockpiles from the massive sulfide ore deposits exposed at the surface and underground are found throughout the District. The US Forest Service is using its CERCLA authority to clean up the site. Major reclamation activities were performed between 2001 and 2008 which included relocating mine waste to a central repository, capping other mine waste in place, and establishing a self-sustaining vegetative cover over the reclaimed areas. Monitoring has been performed since 2012 to evaluate site conditions in response to reclamation actions and will continue until at least 2032. In June 1999, temporary water quality standards for Fisher Creek, Daisy Creek, and a portion of the upper Stillwater River were approved by the State of Montana Board of Environmental Review. The objective of the temporary water quality standards was to provide site specific temporary water quality standards to be met during reclamation activities with the intention that once reclamation was complete, water quality will improve to meet beneficial uses for water classified as B-1 under State of Montana classification standards. Surface water quality improvements are most evident during high flow conditions and have been maintained following completion of reclamation activities. Exceptions to this include McLaren Pit area groundwater and station FCT-11 within the Como Basin. Fifteen years on, not all water meets the human health and aquatic water B-1 standards. Therefore, what are the next steps for the project?

Presenter: Bethany Straw

Fort Collins Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey

Abandoned mines offer valuable habitat for numerous bat species, although there are still significant gaps in our understanding of this relationship. To address the lack of information on bat species status and trends, the North American Bat Monitoring Program was launched in 2015. Since its inception, the program has experienced remarkable growth in engagement, resource availability for data collection and contribution, and data compilation. As a result, valuable analyses and information products have been developed to aid in the management of bat populations facing various threats. Join us to explore the program, discover ways to participate, and understand the benefits it can offer to your work.

Presenters: Laurence D’Alessandro, Linda DeLay

New Mexico Abandoned Mine Land Program Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department

The Swastika stream restoration project took place in 2021 on the Vermejo Park ranch owned by Turner Enterprises, in the far northern reaches of New Mexico. This project was completed by NM Abandoned Mine Land Program and encompassed one stream mile of restoration work which ranged from bank stabilization and riparian planting to j-hooks and stream manipulation measures. The project has shown positive improvement in wildlife habitat compared to pre-construction activities. At the beginning of the project, an internal monitoring study in cooperation with Vermejo Park Ranch was started to document not only the changes from reclamation work but also any wildlife activity in the construction area. A total of 8 trail cameras have been deployed throughout the project area to capture the diverse habitat coverage found in the project area and document what type of wildlife is using it, frequency of use, and total number of specimens. Presence of wildlife was also recorded with video and acoustic recorders. From the data collected, a story map has been created by Linda DeLay (MMD Geospatial Specialist, Biologist) to be used for future reference studies on similar projects. This project is still in motion with plans to continue monitoring through 2023.

Presenter: Ross Monasmith

Pioneer Technical Services Inc.

In a lined mine waste repository in Montana, annual leachate pumping and treatment demand indicates degradation of the leachate liner system. Identification of the source of infiltration is critical to reducing treatment demand and annual operating costs. This presentation will describe the repository construction, the surrounding geological environment, available information for evaluating the infiltration leachate source, outline strategies and techniques for identification of the infiltration source and preliminary approaches for engineering intervention. Using a conceptual lithological model, groundwater hydrographs, pumping records, and other methods, the likely source area and timing of infiltration resulting in leachate production was identified. Preliminary design of a cost-effective leachate interception and dewatering system will be discussed. This presentation highlights the challenges presented by the complex and highly variable groundwater system surrounding the repository, including nearby geothermal features, as well as developing cost-effective and suitable solutions given the uncertain subsurface environment.

Mary Elizabeth Berkes, M.S., P.E.,

GAI Consultants

This presentation will highlight both challenges and benefits of using stream restoration techniques across a variety oflandscapes as applicable to reclaimed lands. The goals of stream restoration include creating a stable, natural channel thatpromotes transport of sediment and provides fish habitat, both of which result in improved water quality and ecologicaluplift. Project challenges and lessons learned for a variety of stream types and topographic constraints will be presented.Attention will be given to how each presented measure can be applied to different landscapes and where each measurewas found to be the most effective. The presentation will exhibit how site conditions such as steep wooded terrain,contaminated soil, or confined environments can hinder the ability to restore stream systems. Each challenge will be metwith a solution to provide maximum uplift while limiting disturbance and considering long term stability, constructability, andcost. The presentation will showcase the multi-disciplinary nature and required collaboration across all phases of restorationprojects from field investigations, design, construction, and monitoring. The solutions will include incorporation of naturalchannel design methodologies, use of in-stream structures for grade control, and value engineering of designs usinghydraulic modeling. High level design concepts and photos from different phases of development will be presented to makethe solutions relatable and understandable. Projects having vary levels of effectiveness will be presented, and thepresentation will conclude by presenting lesson learned and benefits of successful projects. The benefits will coverenvironmental uplift through promotion of sediment transport, revegetation with native species, and increasing aquatichabitat across a range of landscape types and conditions.

Presenter: R. Guy Riefler

Ohio University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Acidity and iron precipitates continue to pollute streams in southeast Ohio from acid mine drainage (AMD) released from abandoned coal mines. We have developed a method to intercept AMD as it leaves the mine and treat it in an engineered water treatment plant to neutralize the acid and precipitate the iron and restore the receiving stream. If processed correctly, the iron oxyhydroxide sludge can be sold as a pigment offsetting costs for plant operation. In this presentation, we will report on the feasibility of different dewatering, washing, and drying technologies and their impact on the final pigment quality. Because pH < 4.5 is required for high quality pigment, new testing was required for this unusual condition. Vacuum filtration and filter pressing were both tested to dewater the 3-6% solids thickened sludge. Vacuum filtration with a range of fabrics was unsuitable due to long cake filtration time and high suspended solids in the filtrate. Filter pressing was effective producing cakes with up to 28% total solids and runs times of < 5 hr. Anionic polymer flocculants improved settling and thickening of the iron solids, however they also had a negative impact on final pigment resulting in darkening and hardening of the final solids with water dosage rates as low as 2 mg/L (<0.5% of the final solid). Careful selection of polymer that perform at low pH and low dose was necessary for a high quality final product. A dose of 0.2 mg/L (<0.05% in the final solid) improved dewatering and did not affect pigment quality. When airdrying the 3-6% sludge, high salt content in the final product greatly reduced final iron purity and required extensive washing with reverse osmosis water. However, pressing to 25% removed enough salts that the air dried pressed solids was adequately pure without washing. Using these techniques we were able to produce iron pigment from AMD that was similar in quality to market standards.

Presenter: Kelly Hermanson, R.G.

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Watershed Improvement Unit

A 15-mile segment of Pinto Creek in Gila County, Arizona, was designated as impaired for dissolved copper in 1998 on the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) list of impaired waters. This segment of Pinto Creek is primarily located in Tonto National Forest. The woodland and patchy shrubland and is home to plants, animals, and a handful of ranchers. Undisturbed areas of the forest include the endangered Arizona hedgehog cactus and provide critical habitat for the endangered Mexican Spotted Owl. Disturbed areas of the watershed surrounding Pinto Creek include both active mines and inactive abandoned historic mines. Between 2007 and 2022, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) implemented remedial actions at six abandoned mines that drain into this segment of Pinto Creek. The USFS remediated five abandoned mine sites that included on-site consolidation of mine-impacted waste and closure of 10 adits, 12 shafts, and 5 onsite consolidation cells that hold a total of 8,000 cubic yards of waste rock. The Gibson Mine, identified as the largest copper source in Pinto Creek, was remediated in phases by ADEQ. ADEQ’s first remediation effort at Gibson Mine in 2007 removed 100,000 tons of mine-impacted soils from the site. This reduced dissolved copper concentrations by 50 percent, but surface water samples were still not meeting dissolved copper water quality standards. The second remediation effort in 2016 included stormwater controls where the site was divided into undisturbed and disturbed areas. Undisturbed lands diverted clean stormwater to a bypass culvert and into the ephemeral tributary to Pinto Creek, whereas disturbed lands channeled stormwater to impoundments to be retained on site. This reduced dissolved copper concentrations by 75 percent, but surface water samples were still not meeting dissolved copper water quality standards. The final remediation effort began in October 2022 and consisted of the excavation and onsite consolidation of “hot spot” areas where an x-ray fluorescence site assessment identified elevated concentrations of copper; backfilled hot spots with clean cover and vegetation; improvements to the bypass culvert headwall and installation of a standpipe to prevent clogging; improvements to the v-ditch to convey clean stormwater; and installation of a turf-reinforced mat to prevent erosion into the copper-rich bedrock. As of today, surface water samples in Pinto Creek are meeting water quality standards and a provisional delisting of dissolved copper from the Clean Water Act’s Section 303(d) list of impaired waters has been recognized by ADEQ. This improvement to the water quality can only be attributed to the efforts of the USFS and ADEQ to identify, prioritize, and remediate discharging abandoned mines in the watershed.

Presenter: William D. Neider, P.E.

Michael Baker International

AMD discharges continue to impact the Loyalhanna watershed with the largest remaining bituminous discharge at Crabtree Creek, there is a need to accurately characterize the underground workings and their hydraulic connectivity to the discharge point to evaluate solutions to capture, convey, and treat the AMD in a cost-effective manor for the Loyalhanna Watershed Association (LWA). A geologic literature and mine map review were conducted to review soils, geology, mining activities, landslide susceptibility, and groundwater. A geophysical survey was also performed to help connect field conditions to historical data found during due diligence and determine if there are any other unknowns. Seven test borings were performed with four of them being shallow open standpipe monitoring wells. Dye tracer testing was performed to obtain data to characterize the hydraulic connectivity of the mine workings, into which the monitoring wells were installed, with the discharge point at Crabtree Creek. Site planning and engineering design needs to include a detailed evaluation of the impacts of proposed works on the existing abandoned underground mine shafts. Placement of a collection system to capture AMD discharge should be as close to Crabtree Creek as feasible to limit potential adverse impacts to the existing mine workings.

Presenter: Thomas Kaps

Chemical and Materials Engineering University of Nevada-Reno

In this work, four pilot-scale SRBR were installed as in-field bioreactors in Perry Canyon, NV near the abandoned Jones-Kincaid adit. In parallel, eight lab-scale SRBRs were operated at the University of Nevada, Reno. Each SRBR contained organic substrate (corn stover, pine shavings, and dairy manure), pea gravel to maintain porosity, and a microbial inoculum. The inoculum was obtained from either the anoxic soil of a nearby lake environment (the Sparks Marina) or from the AMD-impacted ephemeral stream of Perry Canyon, with both demonstrating high sulfate-reducing performance in past work. The pilot-scale SRBR were fabricated as 115-L upflow drums and were installed below ground to modulate environmental conditions and were fed AMD directly from the adit. The lab-scale SRBR were 2-L upflow columns fed synthetic AMD mimicking the Perry Canyon AMD composition. Sulfate and metals concentrations of feed and effluent from each SRBR were monitored temporally. Although results to date indicate limited sulfate reduction occurring in the field-scale SRBR during the first six months of the in-field operation, corresponding to October through April, the reactors inoculated with the marina soil have slightly greater sulfate reduction than those inoculated with AMD-impacted soil. We believe the colder temperature averages (O to 10 °C) in these months are responsible for the lower performance thus far, and we expect performance to increase with increasing spring and summer temperatures to levels comparable to those observed in the lab. The concurrent operation of field and lab SRBR in this work will provide valuable knowledge of the scale-up process of the treatment technology, as well as insight into how environmental operating conditions may impact the SRBR performance. If designed and operated properly, SRBR have the potential to be a cost-effective option for AMD remediation at locations around the world.

Presenters: Daniel Wedemeyer nd Paul Behum, PhD.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources Land Reclamation Program, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Mid-Continent Region

The Old Bevier Passive Treatment System (PTS) is an abandoned mine lands (AML) site located near Ardmore in Macon County 55 miles north of Columbia, Missouri. The current Old Bevier PTS was developed by Missouri DNR Land Reclamation Program with the assistance of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Mid-Continent Region (OSMRE-MCR). This treatment system employs a network of French drains to collect underground mine discharge and shuttle this net acidic drainage (AMD) to the 4.6-acre passive system. Iron and acidity of the inlet AMD is high with medians of 254 mg/L and 579 mg/L CCE, respectively. The French drain acts like an anoxic limestone drain (ALD) that produces a median of 201 mg/L CCE alkalinity to pretreat the AMD. An original treatment system was constructed in 1990-1991 that required a large amount of alkaline dilution water to produce a net alkaline discharge. Operational difficulties with the dilution water source limited the effectiveness of the original system. An enhanced PTS employing two vertical flow ponds (VFPs) in conjunction with two oxidation ponds and three aerobic wetlands was constructed in 2001 by the state and federal team. After the 2001 reconstruction, the enhanced PTS successfully removed most of the iron and acidity contained in the AMD. However, by 2019 the flow though the VFPs diminished and there is a considerable accumulation of iron hydroxide sludge that required removal. A rehabilitation of the two VFPs which removed precipitates and replaced the treatment media was completed in 2020. This presentation will discuss the 2020 rehabilitation of the system, water quality trends and functionality of the enhanced Old Bevier PTS, as well as lessons learned by the reconstruction and operation with high-acidity AMD.

Presenters: Tom Clark and Sami Pretzel

Kleinfelder

The Tioga River Watershed, a major tributary to the Upper Susquehanna River Basin, has been impacted significantly by Northern Bituminous Coal Field abandoned mine drainage stemming from legacy coal mining that began in the mid-1800s. These impacts, centered around the Borough of Blossburg and the village of Morris Run in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, has rendered over 20-miles of the Tioga River and several tributaries as fishless due to acidity, iron, and aluminum loading. This impact mainly emanates from five deep mine discharges that are relatively close to one another, which will allow for their conveyance to a centralized active plant that will treat all five flows in total. Strategic placement of the treated flow into two impacted tributaries will also allow for the restoration of additional stream mileage that has cold water fishery potential. In addition, water quality restoration of the Tioga River will also lead to the similar restoration of the Tioga Lake portion of the United States Army Corp of Engineers Tioga-Hammond Dam Complex. Water quality restoration of Tioga Lake could lead to a significant consumptive use mitigation / low-flow augmentation project that would safeguard adequate water quality /quantity for downstream industrial, commercial, and agricultural water users.

Presenter: David Heinze

Ramboll

There are a variety of active and passive treatment alternatives for mining influenced water (MIW). No single treatment technology works in every situation or with every type of mine water chemistry. The applicability and effectiveness of a particular mine water treatment technology depends on many site-specific factors including but not limited to: site location and available area, access, climate and weather, pH, oxidation state, flow, heavy metals to be treated, regulatory requirements, public acceptance and potential ecological concerns. A broad range of technologies is available for the treatment of AMD. These technologies utilize one or a combination of chemical, physical and biological processes, including pH control, adsorption/absorption, complexation, chelation, biological mediation, oxidation/reduction, electrochemistry, sedimentation, flocculation/filtration/settling, ion exchange and crystallization. By far the most common process for treating AMD is via pH control and chemical precipitation. Depending on the volume of water to be treated, some of these require large treatment plants, which have high initial capital expenditure costs and significant operation and maintenance costs. These treatment operations require maintenance and staff (e.g., power input for pumps, controls, or chemical input and operators for the treatment operations). Ramboll has operated the Eagle Mine Water Treatment Plant Site since 2010. The plant is a lime and settling plant that includes addition of lime and polymer to promote settling of solid particles containing metals. Acid is added to reduce the alkalinity of the treated water to acceptable discharge limits. At the other end of the technology spectrum, there are treatment systems that use natural processes to treat mining-impacted water. These systems are generally designed to work without power and are designed to have low operation and maintenance requirements. There is no completely passive system (low maintenance ≠ no maintenance). Although treatment is provided using passive systems, strict compliance with all water quality standards may not always be able to be achieved. The most common bioreactors currently employed use sulfate-reducing bacteria to raise pH and remove metals. Sulfate is reduced to sulfide, which can react with metals to form relatively insoluble metal sulfide precipitates. Biochemical reactors were designed and installed at the Bully Hill and Rising Star Sites consisting of a compost substrate relying upon sulfate-reducing bacteria to treat the mine water containing dissolved metals to form insoluble metal sulfides that are precipitated in the passive treatment system. The Site is generally accessible by boat year-round and by 4-wheel drive vehicle between mid-April mid-November. The Site has no utilities (electricity, sewer, or water) and cell phone service is unreliable. Ramboll will present a summary of each mine water treatment system with challenges associated with each site and lessons learned in both and active and passive water treatment.

Presenters: Matt Trousdale, Matt Coe, and Sara Bell

Alabama Department of Labor, Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program

The focus of this presentation will be to explore innovative and cutting edge ways to expand AML inventory in the era of BIL. It will look at the use of apps, high accuracy GNSS units, drones, etc. and how this technology can be utilized to quickly build a deeper inventory, a necessity with BIL funding. There will be a tech talk about all these devices and apps. This presentation will cover the benefits and necessity of cross-disciplinary project evaluations on initial and preliminary visits to potential project sites. It will examine why it is important to have GIS/environmental, engineering, and inspection staff all visit a site for preliminary evaluation. It will examine why different perspectives and experience levels are vital for project evaluation and documentation. A strong and up to date eAMLIS inventory is vital. It is important to have a mastery of eAMLIS to keep your inventory up to date and to draw on for new projects. We will talk about strategies for finding new projects and the strategy of focusing on your core counties but giving those peripheral counties a deeper look. We will evaluate the question of whether you should look at quality or quantity or find a median between the two. What do you evaluate when looking at potential projects? We all know that proximity and visitation are the two primary factors. But, what about other things? Does the site contain an attractive nuisance? Would reclamation alleviate the problem at hand if there is not an attractive nuisance on site? Should reclamation be done as a preventative measure to prevent a future gob fire, for example? All these questions and more, will be looked at. In anything, communication is key. We will examine why early communication with landowners is so important. We will examine notification methods for projects whether they be citizen complaints or AML staff finds. We will examine the different types of property owners, whether they be private, corporate, public, or non-profit/religious and strategies on how to communicate with different entities. From an engineering perspective, this presentation will examine the question of when evaluating a site, is it a project to be designed in-house or would it a better idea to contract the design out to a firm. An engineering perspective would look at the size and scope of the site as a potential project. It would evaluate the proximity to sensitive waterbodies. These considerations help with the project selection and evaluation process. The engineering perspective will also look at the software that is utilized such as Carlson CAD software and integrating Esri ArcPro and ArcGIS Online into the engineering process for things such as property and parcel geospatial data. This presentation will evaluate how technology can be integrated into the inspection process. Field data collection apps and survey grade GNSS units can be utilized to accurately set project and clearing limits. This technology can be utilized mark the location of dams, down drains, and terraces. It can also be used to check and set elevations on active construction sites. In short, using GNSS technology from the beginning to the end of a project will be explored. How can drone imagery be of use in expanding inventory and during the construction process? Drone imagery can be used as a visual timeline of a potential project from a pre-construction to post-construction status. Drone imagery can also be utilized to identify areas in need of maintenance on a project, post-construction. This presentation will look at the specific apps/software and hardware that have been utilized by the Alabama AML Program and our experiences with them. It will also examine the future of the Alabama AML drone program.

Presenter: Maria Pomeroy

Pioneer Technical Services

Reviewing and analyzing data gathered from remedial investigations at historical mine sites can sometimes feel like reading a great mystery novel. The myriad of interconnected pieces makes it difficult to tie them all together without a visual aid. The complex and often undocumented site activities and features at historical mine sites can create multiple contaminant sources. Abandoned infrastructure and site geology can form preferential pathways for contaminant migration. Sometimes the source of the contamination is not located where expected, and the expected source is not contributing to the contaminant plume. Understanding how the site features, geology, groundwater, and contaminant sources interact can be essential in designing a sustainable and enduring remedy. Geospatial and geostatistical models provide an interactive and three-dimensional visual aid that can help engineers and scientists solve the mysteries presented by the historical mine sites. The modeling programs provide a platform to visualize the data gathered during remedial investigations in three dimensions to better understand how the site geology, hydrology, historical infrastructure, and contaminant sources interact. This presentation provides an overview of how the Leapfrog Works1 software was used to create a robust conceptual site model that was integrated into the remedial design at a historical mine site. The presentation details how the design team used the program to visualize the site data, model site geology, contaminant concentrations, and leachability potential, and how the model outputs were used to inform the remedial design.

Presenters: Mike Steward and Craig Kish, PMP

Freeport Minerals Corporation and Jacobs Engineering Group

Many challenges must be addressed to manage the myriad data collected during the investigation of historical mining claims and openings. A vast number of claims and mining features combined with an even greater number of data categories and data points collected create data management constraints. Some of these worth highlighting from eight years of research into approximately 15,000 historic mining claims include digitizing mining claim locations from historical documentation while reconciling various data input and managing consistency across datasets. Through the creation of custom: (1) tools within ArcGIS; (2) survey forms utilizing Esri’s data collection platforms FieldMaps and Survey123; and (3) GIS technology, we have successfully mapped and inventoried over 12,000 historical mining claims and 1,600 historical mine openings while maintaining integrity and consistency of data from multiple sources and across multiple field surveys. This presentation demonstrates a multi-party team utilizes technology to address these challenges and how the two organizations have collaborated to refine the process and share data access for synchronized field data collection, evaluation, and reporting.

Presenters: Cory Ott and Dave Hibbard, P.G

Brierley Associates

The Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) industry has been rapidly evolving, prompting consultants to embrace new technologies to improve all facets of project management throughout the life cycle of a project. Abandoned Mine Land (AML) projects require the integration of complex geospatial solutions in order to improve upon and evolve the existing framework that consultants, contractors, and clients operate on today. Brierley Associates’ (BA) has developed a suite of integrated GIS and Remote Sensing solutions to improve efficiencies of project management that apply to various types of AEC projects which include but are not limited to geotechnical drilling investigations, geohazard mapping & characterization, and subsidence mapping and mitigation. As a partnering firm with the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), BA leverages and customizes powerful ESRI GIS technologies to help improve project management efficiency for various AEC projects. These solutions are created and provided in the form of products and services for clients, internal team members, and additional stakeholders. Providing web-based GIS and Remote Sensing products and services to clients enhances transparency with the data that is being collected and how it is being managed. BA has deployed a robust Multi-Machine ArcGIS Enterprise ecosystem that includes customized ESRI Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) solutions that are designed to address requested criteria specific to each individual project. AML projects are becoming more common across the United States due to the most recent increase in federal funding, which will require that GIS and Remote Sensing be employed on a regional scale to improve the efficiency of project management for these new programs from the start. Brierley Associates has remained on the forefront of harnessing cutting edge geospatial technology to create a more interactive and transparent project management environment for all stakeholders involved. Embracing GIS and other technologies to help evolve AML project management throughout the life cycle of a project has proven to bolster relationships with existing clients and open doors to relationships with new partners and clients throughout the country.

Presenter: Serena Seawolf

Utah Water Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey Mined lands, both surficial and underground, present unique environmental and socioeconomic challenges. Therefore, there is a strong concern in accurately assessing hazards surrounding mines as well as systematically approaching remediation and reclamation of active and abandoned mined lands. While disparate datasets exist to address these challenges, to date there is no centralized resource that incorporates mine characteristics, reclamation status, environmental features, human health concerns, and potential hazards for stakeholders and decision-makers to evaluate and prioritize remediation efforts. To address this, the USGS is developing a decision support tool combining national and regional data in an online, accessible, and easy-to-use geospatial application for Department of Interior users. The application’s aim is to aid decision makers in identifying mine activities near vulnerable communities, as well as prioritizing and tracking remediation efforts in a versatile and transparent manner. Additionally, this tool will generate risk metrics which will guide users in the planning stages and progress of mine reclamation and hazard assessment. Field activities in 2024-2025 will apply application-derived metrics to prioritize locations for study in the Colorado River Basin and Appalachian region. This project is a partnership between the USGS, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. Co-development with partners will guide informed decision-making.