Oil sands land reclamation - Revision history

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2019-01-04T18:14:56Z

1 revision imported

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2dev>Jmdonev at 21:19, 27 October 2018

2018-10-27T21:19:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:19, 27 October 2018
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	[[Category:Done ~~2017~~-12-31]]		[[Category:Done 2018-12-10]]
	<onlyinclude>'''Reclamation''' is the process of attempting to return ~~previously~~ used ~~land from~~ [[oil sands]] mining or tailings storage back to its original, natural state. The ~~concept~~ behind reclamation is ~~the goal of~~ "~~returning~~ land back to nature".</onlyinclude> Disturbances that are a result of oil sands mining have significant impacts on the land, and reclamation is ~~just~~ one way to ~~reduce~~ this impact.<ref name="RE1">~~Alberta Government~~. (~~July 29~~, ~~2015~~). ~~''Reclamation''~~ [Online]. Available: ~~http~~://~~oilsands~~.~~alberta~~.ca/~~reclamation.html~~</ref>		[[Category: Rudi grade Ashley edit]]
			<onlyinclude>'''Reclamation''' is the process of attempting to return land used for [[oil sands]] mining or [[tailings]] storage back to its original, natural state. The goal behind reclamation is to "return land back to nature".</onlyinclude> Disturbances that are a result of oil sands mining have significant impacts on the land, and reclamation is one way to mediate this impact.<ref name="RE1">Natural Resources Canada. "Oil Sands: Land Use and Reclamation" (Accessed Oct.25, 2018). [Online]. Available: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/publications/18740</ref> This page will focus on how oil sands land reclamation is done in the province of Alberta, in Canada.

	Reclamation for [[oil sands surface mining\|open pit mines]] can be difficult simply because of the large area that is disturbed in these operations. Once an area is no longer valid for mining activities, it is ~~countoured~~ for drainage. After this, the topsoil is replaced and vegetation is planted. Soil and vegetation are assessed frequently to monitor their health.<ref name="RE2"/> Remediation of [[Oil sands tailings ponds\|tailings ponds]] is an important but ~~difficult~~ part of the reclamation process.		Reclamation for [[oil sands surface mining\|open pit mines]] can be difficult simply because of the large surface area that is disturbed in these operations. Once an area is no longer valid for mining activities, it is filled (if needed) and contoured for drainage. After this, the topsoil is replaced and vegetation is planted. Soil and vegetation are assessed frequently to monitor their health.<ref name="RE2"/> Remediation of [[Oil sands tailings ponds\|tailings ponds]] is an important but challenging part of the reclamation process.

	Reclamation for an [[in situ oil sands mining\|in situ well]] is much more straightforward than with an open pit mine. Once the well is ~~decommmissioned~~ it can take about six years to fully reclaim the land. To reclaim the land, the well must be capped and the equipment removed. ~~As well,~~ soil must be replaced and vegetation replanted in ~~order~~ to ~~clean~~ up any ~~contaminatnts~~ that could remain from the well. ~~This~~ process includes monitoring, seeding, fertilizing, tree planting, seed collecting, topsoil salvaging and replacing, and landform creation and contouring.<ref name="RE2">Oil Sands ~~Today. (July 29, 2015)~~. ''~~Reclaiming~~ Land'' [Online]. Available: ~~http~~://www.~~oilsandstoday~~.ca/topics/~~RestorLand/Pages/default.aspx~~</ref> One benefit of in situ mining is that it disturbs much less land than surface mining efforts. In situ's land disturbance is only 10-15% of a similar sized mining operation and ~~produces no~~ tailings ponds.<ref name="RE1"/>		Reclamation for an [[in situ oil sands mining\|in situ well]] is much more straightforward than with an open pit mine. Once the well is decommissioned it can take about six years to fully reclaim the land. To reclaim the land, the well must be capped and the equipment removed. The soil must be replaced and vegetation replanted, in addition to cleaning up any contaminants that could remain from the well. The reclamation process includes monitoring, seeding, fertilizing, tree planting, seed collecting, topsoil salvaging and replacing, and landform creation and contouring.<ref name="RE2">Canada's Oil Sands. ''Land Reclamation'' (Accessed Oct 25, 2018). [Online]. Available: https://www.canadasoilsands.ca/en/explore-topics/land-reclamation</ref> One benefit of in situ mining is that it disturbs much less land than surface mining efforts. In situ's land disturbance is only 10-15% of a similar sized mining operation and does not produce tailings ponds.<ref name="RE1"/>

	==Reclamation Efforts==		==Reclamation Efforts==
	Attempts to reclaim the land disturbed by oil sands mining has become more of a focus recently. Although efforts are being made, much of the area disturbed is not certified as reclaimed by the government. There are several ~~different levels~~ of reclaimed land ~~exists. Currently~~, ~~there are only 1.04 square [[kilometer]]s of '''certified~~ reclaimed~~'''~~ land, ~~which are returned to the government as public~~ land.<ref name="~~RE1~~"/>		Attempts to reclaim the land disturbed by oil sands mining has become more of a focus recently. Although efforts are being made, much of the area disturbed is not certified as reclaimed by the government. Reclamation is a complicated process and regulations are constantly developing and changing as environmental understanding improves. There are several types of reclamation statuses: ready for reclamation, soil placed, temporary reclaimed land, permanent reclaimed land, and certified reclaimed land.<ref name="RE3">Alberta Environment and Parks. "Oil Sands Mine Reclamation and Disturbance Tracking by Year" (Accessed Oct. 26, 2018) [Online]. Available: http://osip.alberta.ca/library/Dataset/Details/27</ref>

	'''~~Permanently reclaimed~~''' ~~land makes up about 50~~.~~42 square kilometers~~ and ~~includes areas where~~ land ~~design~~, ~~soil placement~~, and ~~revegetation are complete~~.<ref name="~~RE1~~"/> ~~It can take up to 15 years for land to become permanently reclaimed as ecosystems must be monitored and soil composition must be tested.~~		'''Ready for reclamation''' and '''soil placed''' are the initial steps of the reclamation process. "Ready for reclamation" means that mining is finished in that are and land restoration can begin. "Soil placed" means that the materials needed to reclaim the area have been moved to the appropriate locations. This refers primarily to [[overburden]] - soil, rock, and other organic substances that need time to settle once placed.<ref name="RE3"/>

	'''Temporary reclaimed''' land has been ~~revegetated~~ with grass for the purpose of erosion control, and are not truly reclaimed ~~at all~~. They exist essentially to prevent the land from washing away as they may see future disturbance. ~~There are 12.27 square kilometers of temporary reclaimed land.~~		'''Temporary reclaimed''' land has been re-vegetated with grass for the purpose of erosion control, and are not truly reclaimed. They exist essentially to prevent the land from washing away as they may see future disturbance.<ref name="RE3"/>

	~~[[Overburden]] -~~ soil ~~and organic material stored from excavation - has been placed on 14.47 square kilometers of land~~, and ~~there is about 3~~.~~72 square kilometers of land where reclamation~~ can ~~begin.<ref name=alb>Alberta Energy. (June 19, 2015). Reclamation [Online]. Available: http://www.energy.gov.ab.ca/OilSands/1722.asp</ref> Overall, all of this reclaimed~~ land ~~should be compared~~ to ~~the 559.02 square kilometers of land that is disturbed and still in active us~~ as ~~part of a facility~~. ~~This does not include 204.35 square kilometers of cleared~~ land, ~~primarily previously forested areas that have been cleared for development~~.<ref name="~~RE1~~"/>		'''Permanently reclaimed''' land includes areas where land design, soil placement, and revegetation are complete. It can many years for the land to become permanently reclaimed as ecosystems need time to establish themselves. During this time, the land, vegetation, water bodies, and animals must be monitored.<ref name="RE3"/>

	~~One problem with reclamation attempts~~ is ~~that there~~ is ~~a lack~~ of ~~regulated standards about what reclamation involves~~.		'''Certified reclaimed''' land is approved by the government as reclaimed and it is no longer the responsibility of the mining company to monitor and care for it. This land is returned to the government as Crown land (most mining companies "rent" their land from the government).<ref name="RE3"/>

	==Interactive Map==		==Interactive Map==
	It can be beneficial to understand the comparative size of all currently used land and reclaimed land. Below is a labelled, interactive map showing the mining pits, tailings ponds, some reclaimed area, and the Athabasca ~~river~~. Take a note of the scale on the bottom right-hand side of the map (this will change when zooming in and out, but gives an idea of the size of mines and tailings ponds).		It can be beneficial to understand the comparative size of all currently used land and reclaimed land. Below is a labelled, interactive map showing the mining pits, tailings ponds, some reclaimed area, and the Athabasca River. Take a note of the scale on the bottom right-hand side of the map (this will change when zooming in and out, but gives an idea of the size of mines and tailings ponds).

	<html>		<html>
	<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m13!1m11!1m3!1d336492.6993502809!2d-111.69102058306022!3d57.13783045907478!2m2!1f0!2f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sca!4v1519962662760" width="780" height="450" frameborder="0" style="border:0" allowfullscreen></iframe>		<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m13!1m11!1m3!1d336492.6993502809!2d-111.69102058306022!3d57.13783045907478!2m2!1f0!2f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sca!4v1519962662760" width="780" height="450" frameborder="0" style="border:0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
	</html>		</html>

			The province of Alberta also has a map [http://osip.alberta.ca/map/ here].

			==For Further Reading==
			*[[Oil sands]]
			*[[Mining]]
			*[[Tailings pond]]
			*[[Overburden]]
			*Or explore a [[Special:Random\|random page]]

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Uploaded]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2018-04-14T21:17:38Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 21:17, 14 April 2018
(No difference)

Jmdonev at 03:53, 2 March 2018

2018-03-02T03:53:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:53, 2 March 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Category:Done ~~2015~~-07-24]]		[[Category:Done 2017-12-31]]
	<onlyinclude>'''Reclamation''' is the process of attempting to return previously used land from [[oil sands]] mining or tailings storage back to its original, natural state. The concept behind reclamation is the goal of "returning land back to nature".</onlyinclude> Disturbances that are a result of oil sands mining have significant impacts on the land, and reclamation is just one way to reduce this impact.<ref name="RE1">Alberta Government. (July 29, 2015). ''Reclamation'' [Online]. Available: http://oilsands.alberta.ca/reclamation.html</ref>		<onlyinclude>'''Reclamation''' is the process of attempting to return previously used land from [[oil sands]] mining or tailings storage back to its original, natural state. The concept behind reclamation is the goal of "returning land back to nature".</onlyinclude> Disturbances that are a result of oil sands mining have significant impacts on the land, and reclamation is just one way to reduce this impact.<ref name="RE1">Alberta Government. (July 29, 2015). ''Reclamation'' [Online]. Available: http://oilsands.alberta.ca/reclamation.html</ref>

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	It can be beneficial to understand the comparative size of all currently used land and reclaimed land. Below is a labelled, interactive map showing the mining pits, tailings ponds, some reclaimed area, and the Athabasca river. Take a note of the scale on the bottom right-hand side of the map (this will change when zooming in and out, but gives an idea of the size of mines and tailings ponds).		It can be beneficial to understand the comparative size of all currently used land and reclaimed land. Below is a labelled, interactive map showing the mining pits, tailings ponds, some reclaimed area, and the Athabasca river. Take a note of the scale on the bottom right-hand side of the map (this will change when zooming in and out, but gives an idea of the size of mines and tailings ponds).

	<html><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?~~mid~~=~~zT985R0gOSDg~~.~~k3kNoslvTjWQ~~" width="780" height="~~585~~"></iframe></html>		<html>
			<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m13!1m11!1m3!1d336492.6993502809!2d-111.69102058306022!3d57.13783045907478!2m2!1f0!2f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sca!4v1519962662760" width="780" height="450" frameborder="0" style="border:0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
			</html>

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Uploaded]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]

J.williams: 1 revision imported

2015-08-26T21:31:28Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 21:31, 26 August 2015
(No difference)

J.williams at 16:57, 12 August 2015

2015-08-12T16:57:16Z

New page

[[Category:Done 2015-07-24]]
<onlyinclude>'''Reclamation''' is the process of attempting to return previously used land from [[oil sands]] mining or tailings storage back to its original, natural state. The concept behind reclamation is the goal of "returning land back to nature".</onlyinclude> Disturbances that are a result of oil sands mining have significant impacts on the land, and reclamation is just one way to reduce this impact.<ref name="RE1">Alberta Government. (July 29, 2015). ''Reclamation'' [Online]. Available: http://oilsands.alberta.ca/reclamation.html</ref>

Reclamation for [[oil sands surface mining|open pit mines]] can be difficult simply because of the large area that is disturbed in these operations. Once an area is no longer valid for mining activities, it is countoured for drainage. After this, the topsoil is replaced and vegetation is planted. Soil and vegetation are assessed frequently to monitor their health.<ref name="RE2"/> Remediation of [[Oil sands tailings ponds|tailings ponds]] is an important but difficult part of the reclamation process.

Reclamation for an [[in situ oil sands mining|in situ well]] is much more straightforward than with an open pit mine. Once the well is decommmissioned it can take about six years to fully reclaim the land. To reclaim the land, the well must be capped and the equipment removed. As well, soil must be replaced and vegetation replanted in order to clean up any contaminatnts that could remain from the well. This process includes monitoring, seeding, fertilizing, tree planting, seed collecting, topsoil salvaging and replacing, and landform creation and contouring.<ref name="RE2">Oil Sands Today. (July 29, 2015). ''Reclaiming Land'' [Online]. Available: http://www.oilsandstoday.ca/topics/RestorLand/Pages/default.aspx</ref> One benefit of in situ mining is that it disturbs much less land than surface mining efforts. In situ's land disturbance is only 10-15% of a similar sized mining operation and produces no tailings ponds.<ref name="RE1"/>

==Reclamation Efforts==
Attempts to reclaim the land disturbed by oil sands mining has become more of a focus recently. Although efforts are being made, much of the area disturbed is not certified as reclaimed by the government. There are several different levels of reclaimed land exists. Currently, there are only 1.04 square [[kilometer]]s of '''certified reclaimed''' land, which are returned to the government as public land.<ref name="RE1"/>

'''Permanently reclaimed''' land makes up about 50.42 square kilometers and includes areas where land design, soil placement, and revegetation are complete.<ref name="RE1"/> It can take up to 15 years for land to become permanently reclaimed as ecosystems must be monitored and soil composition must be tested.

'''Temporary reclaimed''' land has been revegetated with grass for the purpose of erosion control, and are not truly reclaimed at all. They exist essentially to prevent the land from washing away as they may see future disturbance. There are 12.27 square kilometers of temporary reclaimed land.

[[Overburden]] - soil and organic material stored from excavation - has been placed on 14.47 square kilometers of land, and there is about 3.72 square kilometers of land where reclamation can begin.<ref name=alb>Alberta Energy. (June 19, 2015). Reclamation [Online]. Available: http://www.energy.gov.ab.ca/OilSands/1722.asp</ref> Overall, all of this reclaimed land should be compared to the 559.02 square kilometers of land that is disturbed and still in active us as part of a facility. This does not include 204.35 square kilometers of cleared land, primarily previously forested areas that have been cleared for development.<ref name="RE1"/>

One problem with reclamation attempts is that there is a lack of regulated standards about what reclamation involves.

==Interactive Map==
It can be beneficial to understand the comparative size of all currently used land and reclaimed land. Below is a labelled, interactive map showing the mining pits, tailings ponds, some reclaimed area, and the Athabasca river. Take a note of the scale on the bottom right-hand side of the map (this will change when zooming in and out, but gives an idea of the size of mines and tailings ponds).

<html><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=zT985R0gOSDg.k3kNoslvTjWQ" width="780" height="585"></iframe></html>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Uploaded]]