Untitled in english

Author(s)

Ricardo Deguti de Barros Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Politécnica (EP/BC)
• Defense date: 2000-10-10

Examining board members

Fernando Fujimura; Wildor Theodoro Hennies; Carlos Manoel Nieble

• Advisor: Fernando Fujimura

Abstract

Reclamation of surface mined areas is a crucial environmental challenge to the mining industry worldwide. Although reclamation of mined areas usually emphasizes revegetation or wildlife aspects, geotechnical aspect must be reminded as one of the most important reclamation procedures related to surface mined areas. One of the goals of reclamation is to ensure that the site is left in a condition that allows future use, which means achieving stability of the degraded mined areas. Open pits, waste piles and tailings dams must have compatible safety conditions for the planned future use. Site stability will also provide favourable conditions to the following phases of reclamation. Final topographical configuration is highly relevant in a reclamation plan. However mined areas are dramatically modified by mining activities, this can be a rare opportunity of getting interesting landscapes. Surface modelling technics by computer can be a valuable tool applied to the conformation of reclaimed areas. Reclamation concepts must be applied not only after mine life ends, but during its operation, due to the benefits to environment and increase of safety in the open pit operations. (AU)