| G&S Coal Company, Inc. is a coal mining company recognized by the
Maryland Department of the Environment for their outstanding reclamation
of their Chestnut Grove Mine. This mine is located near the town
of Swanton in the state of Maryland. The company was nominated for
the IMCC Reclamation Award due to its commitment to protect and improve
the environment by exceeding regulatory requirements. |
Overhead view of the completed permit.
|
| The contour method was used to mine coal from this site. In this
manner, bulldozers and scrapers removed topsoil. It was then stockpiled
and revegetated in designated areas on the permit. Overburden was
then removed by use of a dragline and bulldozers. In the process
of removing the overburden, an acid-producing sandstone was encountered.
It was very important to deal with this material as it was encountered
to prevent it from making contact with the floor of the pit. In addition,
coal cleanings (a result of extracting the coal) were removed from the
pit floor and moved to higher ground. If these two materials had
not been moved, contamination might have occurred. |
Photograph shows what the pit floor looks like.
|
| In order to maximize the amount of coal recovered, an augering operation
was conducted. This consisted of drilling holes in the remaining
coal reserve. Once the coal had been extracted, the holes were sealed
with clay material from the overburden. Lastly, the pit was lined
with non-acidic overburden and covered with a layer of agricultural limestone.
It was then backfilled and regraded.
The land was intended to be returned to its original contour and used
as pastureland. Clay subsoil was placed on the regraded area and
then covered by topsoil. Large rocks were removed. Lime, fertilizer,
and seed mixtures were applied to the area. The seeded areas were
then mixed with hay or straw to help with their cultivation.
|
Photograph shows the spreading of the topsoil.
|
| At the request of the landowner, two of the three ponds were left.
These would function as a water supply for livestock, to attract wildlife,
and for recreational fishing. The reclaimed site is a good area for
grazing livestock and harvesting hay. The ponds provide a haven for
migrating birds, ducks, and geese.
The reclamation activities at this site provided for an interesting
study of the steps taken to restore the land to as close to its natural
state as possible. It also addressed how accommodations need to be
made when something is encountered which may not have been anticipated.
In this case, it was the acid-producing sandstone. |
Grassy terrain. Haycrop was recently harvested from this area. |
