Contour Surface Mining - Test

Figure A-7
Contour Surface Mine in West Virginia


Figure A-8
Active Contour Surface Mine in West Virginia with Initial Reclamation Visible in Distance
 As coal removal proceeds around the mountain side, the excavated material from new overburden cuts is used to backfill the previous mining area to restore the pre-mining contours of the land or Approximate Original Contour (AOC).  Figure A-9 is a photograph of a former contour mine that is in the first stage of reclamation.  Overburden has been returned to the mining area and it is ready for compaction.  In Figure A-10 the reclamation area has been graded, seeded and initial vegetation has been established.  



Figure A-9
Initial Reclamation of a Contour Surface Mine


Figure A-10
Regrading and Seeding of a Reclaimed Contour Surface Mine
In final reclamation, the initial vegetation has been succeeded by mature and successful tree growth.  The existence of a now-reclaimed contour mine in Figure A-11 is discernible only because of a slight difference in tree height between the reclaimed mine bench and the undisturbed, existing topography and vegetation.  



Figure A-11
Reclaimed Contour Surface Mine