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Overview:
Students learn what it means to 'reclaim' land after surface mining; they also research successful reclamation efforts.
Objectives:
Students will:
- understand the need for land reclamation after surface coal mining;
- discern the challenges faced by mining companies in reclaiming the land; and
- research award-winning reclamation programs.
National Standards:
National Council for Social Studies Standards
- People, Places, and Environment
- Power, Authority, and Governance
National Science Education Standards (NSES)
- Science in Personal and Social Perspective, 9-12
Natural resources
Environmental quality
Time Needed:
One class period
Materials:
- Terrarium or large glass bowl
- Sand
- Rocks
- Lumps of coal
- Top soil
- Plants (real or plastic)
- Plastic spoon or other digging implement
- "Land Reclamation" ACF pamphlet
- Internet access
Discussion Questions:
What does the word reclaim mean?
What do you think it means with regard to coal mining?
Are you aware of reclamation efforts conducted by coal mining companies?
Procedure:
- Place coal samples at the bottom of the terrarium, and surround them with rocks. Cover the rocks and coal with sand, topsoil, and plants. Conduct a brief demonstration (or ask a student volunteer to do so) of excavating the coal, using a spoon or small shovel. Make an effort to conduct the excavation without disrupting the plant life or the existing ecosystem, or doing so with as little disruption as possible. This should prove to be quite difficult. After the coal has been recovered, demonstrate (or have the student demonstrate) restoring the terrarium to its pre-excavation condition. Explain to students that when natural resources are taken from the lower layers of the earth's surface, disruption to the ecosystem occurs. One type of coal mining, known as surface coal mining, substantially disrupts the condition of the land and its surrounding ecosystem. Ask students: What is disrupted at sites where surface mining is done? Encourage them to think about rock formations, soil, plants, wildlife, water tables and drainage patterns, and possibly archaeological research. In order to protect the environment and restore the land, mining companies implement extensive reclamation projects. During mining, companies try to mitigate damage by diverting streams, providing drainage areas and placing native vegetation in greenhouses to use in reclamation.
- Tell students that surface mining companies are required by law to restore the land to its original condition or better after excavating it. Ask them if they can think of how the land might be re-used after it is reclaimed. Explain that in some cases it is used for agricultural purposes. In other cases, lakes or reservoirs are created. And, in other locations, the land is reclaimed for recreational purposes. Some reclaimed lands have been used for commercial activities and service institutions such as schools. In each case, the mining company works with experts from the community to discern the best use.
- Divide the class into five research groups. Explain to students that they will be researching successful (in fact, award-winning) reclamation projects. Assign each group one of the following reclamation projects: the Vindex Reclamation Project in Maryland, the Klueh Reclamation Project in Indiana, the Pleasant View Mine Project in Kentucky, the Blackwater River Limestone Drum Station in West Virginia, and the Old Ben Scout Reservation AMD (Acid Mine Drainage) Lakes in Indiana. Tell them that each of these projects was conducted by a mining company and received recognition from the federal Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining (OSM) for their work. Direct each student to the links below to answer the following questions:
- What was the original mining operation? When was the area last mined?
- When did the project begin?
- What were some of the environmental conditions which needed to be considered?
- What specific measures were involved in the reclamation project?
- What was the goal of the project?
- How is the land being used now?
- Who were some of the professionals involved in the project?
Links:
Vindex Reclamation Project, Maryland
- Maryland Department of the Environment
- OSMRE
Klueh Reclamation Project, Greencastle, Indiana
- OSM
Pleasant View Mine Project, Kentucky
- Kentucky NREPC Division of Abandoned Mine Lands
- OSM
Blackwater River Limestone Drum Station, West Virginia
- MII (Mineral Information Institute)
- OSM
Old Ben Scout Reservation AMD (Acid Mine Drainage) Lakes, Indiana
- OSM
- After the groups have finished their research, assign them to illustrate their findings. They can do so with a poster, bulletin board display, power point presentation, or video. Have each group share their presentations with the rest of the class. Discuss what made each of these projects successful. What expertise was necessary in order to determine the best usage of the property? What conditions presented the greatest challenges in fulfilling the goals of the project? How will the community benefit from the project? Remind students that since coal is an abundant and relatively inexpensive source of energy that easily generates electricity, coal mining will remain a mainstay of the American economy. And, as long as mining continues, mining companies will be accept responsibility for the restoration of the land and preservation of the environment.
Assessment:
Have students take the Office of Surface Mining's reclamation quiz. Those that successfully answer the correct number of questions can win a sticker.
Differentiation:
Those students with weaker writing skills should be assigned the responsibility of incorporating pictures of the reclamation projects in the displays. Encourage students to work in tandem to study and understand the internet sites about the reclamation projects.
Extension:
- Encourage students to research local reclamation laws and projects. Direct them to the OSM map to identify local agencies and find out what work is being done in your own state. From there, they can contact the agencies or companies directly to find out more.
- Have students collect "before" and "after" pictures of various reclamation projects. Additional reclamation stories can be found at the Mineral Information Institute. Display the photos with brief explanations of the projects.
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