Sampling strategy for the rapid screening of mine-waste dumps on abandoned mine lands

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen S. Smith ◽  
Charles A. Ramsey ◽  
Philip L. Hageman
Keyword(s):  
Mine Waste ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Abandoned Mine ◽  
Rapid Screening ◽  
Abandoned Mine Lands ◽  
Waste Dumps ◽  
Mine Lands

scholarly journals Mapping Potentially Acid Generating Material on Abandoned Mine Lands Using Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 365
Author(s):  
Alison S. Cramer ◽  
Wendy M. Calvin ◽  
Scott W. McCoy ◽  
Ronald J. Breitmeyer ◽  
Marja Haagsma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mine Waste ◽  
Waste Rock ◽  
Abandoned Mine ◽  
Mineral Salts ◽  
Rock Pile ◽  
Abandoned Mine Lands ◽  
Waste Rock Pile ◽  
Mine Waste Rock ◽  
Mine Lands ◽  
Aerial Systems

Weathering and transport of potentially acid generating material (PAGM) at abandoned mines can degrade downstream environments and contaminate water resources. Monitoring the thousands of abandoned mine lands (AMLs) for exposed PAGM using field surveys is time intensive. Here, we explore the use of Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPASs) as a complementary remote sensing platform to map the spatial and temporal changes of PAGM across a mine waste rock pile on an AML. We focus on testing the ability of established supervised and unsupervised classification algorithms to map PAGM on imagery with very high spatial resolution, but low spectral sampling. At the Perry Canyon, NV, USA AML, we carried out six flights over a 29-month period, using a RPAS equipped with a 5-band multispectral sensor measuring in the visible to near infrared (400–1000 nm). We built six different 3 cm resolution orthorectified reflectance maps, and our tests using supervised and unsupervised classifications revealed benefits to each approach. Supervised classification schemes allowed accurate mapping of classes that lacked published spectral libraries, such as acid mine drainage (AMD) and efflorescent mineral salts (EMS). The unsupervised method produced similar maps of PAGM, as compared to supervised schemes, but with little user input. Our classified multi-temporal maps, validated with multiple field and lab-based methods, revealed persistent and slowly growing ‘hotspots’ of jarosite on the mine waste rock pile, whereas EMS exhibit more rapid fluctuations in extent. The mapping methods we detail for a RPAS carrying a broadband multispectral sensor can be applied extensively to AMLs. Our methods show promise to increase the spatial and temporal coverage of accurate maps critical for environmental monitoring and reclamation efforts over AMLs.

A GIS Methodology for Assessing the Safety Hazards of Abandoned Mine Lands (AMLs)

2013 ◽  
pp. 2128-2149
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Dolney
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Abandoned Mine ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Safety Hazards ◽  
Abandoned Mine Lands ◽  
Assessment Techniques ◽  
Current Assessment ◽  
Mine Lands

Abandoned mine lands (AMLs) associated with past coal-mining scar Pennsylvania’s landscape with environmental and safety hazards. Reclamation projects eliminate and reduce hazards AMLs pose. Due to the large number of AMLs and limited funds, precedence is given to reclaim the most hazardous sites first. These sites are identified through an assessment process that assigns priorities to AMLs. However, priorities are out-dated and do not accurately reflect the current spatial distribution of land use and census data. This article presents a GIS methodology for the prioritization of AMLs using the process of extrapolation and focal statistics. By incorporating current assessment techniques into GIS with current land use and census data, AML priorities were reassigned to accurately reflect the current spatial landscape. Results indicate that current AML priorities assigned by the state do not accurately reflect current land use and census data and underestimate the safety hazards of many sites, including high priority sites.

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