Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 460-115 reviews geotechnical and engineering principles that govern settlement of filled lands, such as reclaimed mines, and the distortion of building structures built on such lands. Surface mine settlement is rapid, relative to the tolerances of most building structures, especially in the years immediately following mining and reclamation.

Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 460-130 describes procedures that can be used to stabilize land surfaces created by mining so as to improve suitability for development. The most cost-effective surface stabilization measures take place during placement of spoils that will produce the final land surface. Good mine planning can have a positive impact on the cost of such measures.

In 1998, Powell River Project worked with Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, and Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, to assist these agencies' development of procedures to allow and encourage development of appropriately configured and located mine sites as industrial sites. Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 460-132 describes planning, permitting, and reclamation procedures that can aide the process of preparing mined areas for use as industrial sites after mining. Both regulatory issues and land development procedures are addressed.
 

Publications

Zipper, C.E., and C. Yates. 1999. Reclaiming Mined Lands as Industrial Sites. Virginia Mining Journal 12 (3):4-5+

Zipper, C.E. and Charles Yates. 1998. Reclaiming Mined Lands as Industrial Sites. Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 460-132.

Zipper, Carl and Steven Winter. 1997. Stabilizing Reclaimed Mines to Support Buildings and Development. Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 460-130.

Zipper, C.E., and R.D. Krebs. 1994. Housing construction or reclaimed mined lands. Virginia Mining Journal 7(1):4-6.

Krebs, R.E., and C.E. Zipper. 1989. Foundations for housing on reclaimed mined lands. Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 460-115.

Krebs, R. D. and J. W. Dulin. 1987. Residential Foundations for Reclaimed Land. Dept of Civil Eng., VPI & SU.

Bell, J. C. 1982. Evaluation of Site Suitability of Mine Soils for Residential Housing Developments. M.S. Thesis, Agronomy.