Reclamation of the Gregg River Mine, Canada

Authors: Brand, D; Etmanski, A Download Paper

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_24_Brand

Cite As:
Brand, D & Etmanski, A 2011, 'Reclamation of the Gregg River Mine, Canada', in AB Fourie, M Tibbett & A Beersing (eds), Mine Closure 2011: Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 219-226, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1152_24_Brand



Abstract:
Construction of the Gregg River Mine began in 1981. Coal production occurred continuously from 1983 through to October of 2000. With the closure of the mining operation, site activities switched entirely to completing reclamation of the 1,362 hectares of land that had been disturbed over the life of the mine. The Gregg River Mine was the first large scale open pit mine in Alberta closed under the current closure and reclamation legislation. The mining and reclamation activities were influenced by a number of climatic, topographic and geographic factors. The mine is located in west central Alberta on the east slopes of the Rocky Mountains, elevations range from 1,400 to 2,000 m and soils are generally thin and rocky. The climate is severely influenced by the mountains and the elevation; snow is common in all months of the year. Strong Chinook winds blow in the winter, melting and moving snow and creating a very difficult growing environment for plants and young seedlings. The initial five years of the reclamation programme concentrated on completing the recontouring of the disturbed surface, replacement of the previously salvaged surface soil and revegetation of the mining areas. This work included the removal of haul road river crossings, the relocation and reconstruction of surface water streams and the decommissioning of waste water treatment facilities. The second phase of the project was the demolition of the coal processing, equipment maintenance, load out and rail facilities. Soil remediation and land reclamation of these areas followed. The reclamation objective for the Gregg River Mine is equivalent land capability with designated reclaimed land use objectives of wildlife habitat and watershed protection. A measure of the achievement of equivalent capability and reclamation success may be the abundant wildlife and clear flowing streams throughout the site. Large bighorn sheep, deer, elk, coyote, wolf and grizzly bear populations may be seen on many areas of the site. Recent carnivore activity is one indication of the eventual return of a healthy, balanced and sustainable ecosystem to the reclaimed Gregg River mine site.

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