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Larson Enterprises, Inc. is a coal mining company located in Clearfield
County, Pennsylvania, in the town of Kylertown. This small company
has prided itself on maintaining an outstanding standard for reclamation
since its beginning. Initially, several challenging problems faced
the operation of this mine site. The entire area consisted of abandoned
mines. Previous underground and surface mining significantly
affected the discharge of pollutants from this site, and changed the vegetation.
Today, this site has been reclaimed into one that is deserving of recognition.
The following photographs show “before and after” of a portion of this
mine site.
Reclamation follows mining very closely |
A portion of the reconstructed intermittent stream channel. |
Surface mining was the method used to produce coal from this site.
A loader and trucks removed material from the top layer. The coal
was then uncovered by use of a small dragline. A mixture of alkaline
(basic) material and overburden was obtained. Material that could
be substituted for topsoil was separated and put aside for use in the reclamation
process. Alkaline ash from the combustion (burning) of the
coal was placed on mined areas to improve the water samples from the mine
pit.
When Larson Enterprises first obtained a permit to mine in this site,
they were presented with several challenges. Pollutants were carried
from the site in the water. This was due to a stream that flowed
over the abandoned highwall and into exposed underground mines. One
of the first projects was to prevent this water flow into the underground
mine by preventing drainage and redirecting the flow. A stream channel
was reconstructed so that the stream would flow on top of the ground instead
of through the underground mine. Wetlands were then constructed along
the new stream channel. This photograph shows how the area appeared
at the beginning of this operation.
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All but three acres of this operation were previously affected and
abandoned.
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| When the operation was finished, the company had reclaimed more acreage
of land than they had actually mined. This was due to the reclamation
of some of the abandoned mine lands adjacent to the site. All the
reclamation practices were done to return the land to its natural and useful
state quickly. The land was contoured and planted, and, whenever
possible, vegetation was blended around established trees. Within
weeks of the restoration of brush piles, bear, foxes, and other mammals
started to appear. The restored stream now supports a naturally reproducing
trout population. |
Shows the wetland and stream channel. |
This mine site has become a regular stop for tours of school groups,
environmental organizations, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency),
and other regulatory agencies. Its innovative mining
and excellent reclamation techniques have created a positive reputation
for this company.
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