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62 MINING FOR CLOSURE
Box 12 Synergistic benefits of coal reject remining99
Case example
Project description
Incentives/benefits
Rehabilitation
works carried out
as part of mining
operations
Wildwood coal remining project, Pennsylvania
ACV Power Corporation at its Wildwood Project in Allegheny County near Hampton Township,
Pennsylvania. This five person operation reclaimed 42.5 acres of abandoned mine land adjacent
to North park, a large public park in the Pittsburgh suburbs, through the remining of a 50-year-
old abandoned coal refuse pile that was burning.
Landscape remediation at zero cost to taxpayers
Increased property values
Assumed profitable operation by entrepreneur
The project dramatically improved ground and surface water in the area and increased the value
of the surrounding properties. Through Pennsylvania’s remining programme, the project, which
removed approximately 900,000 tons of acidic waste coal from the landscape, was completed
at no cost to taxpayers. In addition, AVC’s relationship with the power plant allowed for the
exchange of the waste coal material for Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC) alkaline
ash material that was used in the reclamation of the site. By utilizing CFBC ash, ACV created a
fertile seedbed and effectively eliminated the leaching of pollutants into nearby Pine Creek and
the area’s groundwater. Local officials were initially against this project due to concerns about
increased truck traffic, potential dust and noise problems, and the potential for pollution. How-
ever, upon completion of the site, township officials issued a letter of commendation to ACV
recognizing that “the long-term benefit well outweighs the minor inconvenience [related to truck
traffic].” This small waste coal company, ACV Power, was able to make a significant impact at the
Wildwood site both esthetically and environmentally
Box 13 Beyond compliance reclamation in ongoing quarry works
Case example
Project description
Incentives
Rehabilitation
works carried out
as part of mining
operations
Baggaley quarry remining
Hanson Aggregates, at its Baggaley Quarry located in Pennsylvania, reclaimed an entire site,
even though it was legally obligated to reclaim only those areas affected after 1972. The final
open pit highwall was 900m long (3000 feet) and averaged 52m (170 feet) in height.
Not listed
Despite limited onsite material and significant challenges due to the elevation, the area was com-
pletely reclaimed. Rolling hills have replaced the highwalls and the quality of a nearby trout stream
has been maintained. The post-mining land use was designed with multiple purposes in mind,
including fish and wildlife habitat as well as an industrial site in an area where flat land is at a pre-
mium. The Baggaley Quarry was essentially a remining operation in a high quality, sensitive water-
shed. Through a combination of extensive monitoring and well-designed reclamation techniques,
the nearby stream - which is classified as a high quality, cold water fishery - was preserved. Addi-
tionally, the natural wildlife habitat that was created has attracted whitetail deer, wild turkey, black
bear, various ducks and geese along with raptors common to such areas such as owls and hawks.
During the course of its operation, the Baggaley Quarry had an excellent compliance record.
99. Examples shown in Box 12 and Box 13 are drawn from IMCC
Presents 2001 National Reclamation Awards at
The Interstate Mining
Compact Commission, based in Washington D.C. is a multi-state
governmental agency / organization that represents the natural
resource interests of its member states. First envisioned in 1964,
the Commission came into existence in 1970 with the entry of its
first four states. Since that time, 13 additional states have enacted
legislation bringing them into the Compact, and 3 additional
states have become associate members as they pursue enactment
of legislation which will make them full members. The Com-
mission operates through several committees composed of duly
appointed representatives of the Governors from their respective
Departments of Natural Resources or Environmental Protection.