OSM

Volumetric measurements are used to determine the level of compliance with respect to SMCRA regulations that require mines to restore topography to AOC, and determine the volume of topsoil piles to ensure that there is enough suitable topsoil to cover the regraded mine site. Volumetric calculations can also be used to determine the amount of bond to post prior to beginning operations.  (VIP 10)  Volumetric measurements on an open pit can quantify the amount of fill material needed to meet the regrade plan.  Volumes related to pre and post mining topography are calculated. .

Geomorphic reclamation approximates the slopes, drainage divides, and stream geometries of the pre-mining topography and is encouraged to ensure slope stability and reduce stream sediment. .  Channel length is measured along the thalweg - the deepest point of the channel which is also the line of fastest water flow (steepest descent).  Channel length is the single most important measure of geomorphic reconstruction but the watershed area, shape, and placement are also vital for reclamation success.

Impoundment structures hold water, sediments, or other liquid or semi-liquids and are designed to reduce the amount of Total Suspended Solids leaving the mine site.  The inspector must determinine if impoundment structures are structurally stable and conform to the design approved in the permit.  (VIP 12)  They also need to know the water depth, the capacity and sediment load, and if discharges from the impoundment meet applicable effluent limitations.   Using the spectral signatures of water or other impounded liquids, image classification techniques can identify c

Regulations require that no surface coal mining operations be conducted within 100 feet of a public road right-of-way.  (VIP 13)   Compliance with the 100 foot regulation can be checked by using orthorectified satellite imagery and GIS technology.   The figure below shows WorldView-1 imagery, and the public road along with a buffer of 100 feet outside of the right-of way.  A 100 foot buffer can be generated beyond the road right-of-way.  Visual inspection can determine if the mine operation is in compliance.

As part of the surface coal mining reclamation process, the operator is required to establish vegetative cover on all disturbed areas.

Vegetation establishment (VIP 14) can be determined using multispectral satellite imagery and image processing software to compute the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI).  NDVI is a measure of the amount and vigor of vegetation growth and these images are developed to more easily distinguish green vegetation from bare soils.

Satellite imagery has long been used to derive vegetation cover.  With supporting field sampling, vegetation density (VIP 15) can be classified using the supervised image classification techniques.   This is especially useful where the vegetation regrowth covers extensive areas making field surveys too time consuming and expensive.  The figure below shows the result of a vegetation classification over a revegetated area at the McKinley mine site.  Given adequate field sampling, these categories can be expressed in terms of percent cover as well.  Three cover de

With supporting field work, satellite imagery is ideal for mapping vegetation community types for large areas.  As in vegetation cover mapping, image classification techniques can be used to extract vegetation community types and was identified as an added benefit to the VIP method.   The figure below shows four community types:  Pinon-Juniper Woodland (green), Mine Disturbance (yellow), Sagebrush (blue) and a general Revegetated Plot category (red) for the McKinley mine site.  Most vegetation types can be identified and evaluated against revegetation success standa

Satellite imagery provides a relatively inexpensive tool to monitor and assess vegetation regrowth over time, and thus, was identified as an added benefit to the VIP method.

Of the fifteen VIPs that were tested, all could be accomplished using remote sensing and GIS techniques to support the inspection process with the exception of VIP 12 – Impounding Structures Identification.  There was partial success with VIP 12 in that the impounding structures can be identified and measured with imagery.    But at this time, these are the only reliable applications that can be conducted for impoundments.   The following is a summary of the results for each VIP: