Minerals and Geology - Reclaimation of Mined Lands

 

Reclamation of Mined Lands

By: John C. Nichols, Forest Geologist

All Mining operations on National Forest lands are required to be reclaimed at the operators expense. In simplest terms, reclamation is that phase of an operation when the holes are filled, ground is recontoured, and the land is essentially put back into the condition it was in before mining occurred. On the Ouachita National Forest, mined lands are reclaimed primarily as wildlife openings including, for some, wildlife ponds. In the 1990's, two completed gas drill pads were reclaimed as a dispersed group camping site for one and top class shooting, skeet and archery range for the other. Examples of reclaimed mines and well pad sites on the Forest are shown on this page.

A wildlife opening on the Jesseville/Winona Ranger District

All mines on the Ouachita NF are reclaimed in ways that will directly benefit local wildlife. The openings caused by mining are often less than an acre in size, but may occasionally reach up to 8 acres in size. This was the site of a two acre quartz mine in the 1980's. The mine was reclaimed in the early 1990's by the miner to the condition shown in these photos. The site is maintained by the Arkansas Game and Fish Comission along with the Forest Service. It is purposely kept brush free to promote vegetation that attracts wildlife. To purposely develop a similar wildlife opening can cost as much as $5,000. Using reclaimed mines site as wildlife openings saves the state and federal governments money and resources.

NOTE: The below photos are hotlinked to LARGE images.
 

(photos taken 2/1/2001 by j.c.nichols)

 

The Womble Quartz Mine

This quartz crystal mine was operated over a four year period in the late 1980's on the Womble Ranger District of the Ouachita National Forest. The highwall, visible at the back of the mine, is 30 feet high. You can barely make out the front end of a Forest Service pickup truck at the top center of the photo. The mine impacted a total of 2 acres, a portion of which is just outside the photo area. It was a family operation, employing a dad and his two sons. Good quality quartz crystal was removed from here.

Womble mine photo #1   (photo taken 1988 by j.c.nichols)

When the miner completed his mining operation he filled the excavation, sloped the area to natural contours, and reseeded for plants that would provide food and habitat for the local wildlife. This photo is the same angle and area of Photo #1. It is the site of the Womble Mine approximately 3 years after reclamation was completed. Note that the excavation was completely filled in, eliminating the highwall, and recontoured. Many turkey, deer, and other wildlife (including an Arkansas Black Bear) have been observed here. It is now managed as a wildlife opening by the Womble Ranger District. Wildlife openings like this would cost the Forest Service several thousand dollars to develop. This wildlife opening was developed as part of the the operators reclamation requirements, and at no cost to the taxpayer...

Womble mine photo #2   (photo taken 1994 by j.c.nichols)

 

Here's some scenes from other reclaimed mines on the Ouachita National Forest.