RECLAMATION SUCCESS

The South Carolina Bureau of Land and Waste Management nominated a catalyst and silica mining company for the 1998 IMCC (Interstate Mining Compact Commission) award.  W.R. Grace is a mining company unique in its different mining and reclamation techniques.  It operates a kaolin mine, referred to as the Scott-Garrett Mine, in Aiken County, South Carolina.  Kaolin is the fine clay used for the production of porcelain and china.  This site has been called one of the finest examples of reclamation in the state. It is used to demonstrate mining and reclamation procedures to other mine operators in the area.

Overview of the mine site and surrounding area

Since the mine opened for production in 1927, mining methods and laws have changed.  This is evident in the many different mining and reclamation characteristics the Scott Mine displays.  Originally, the site was a large strip-mining track of 100 acres with pit depths of up to 80 feet.  W.R. Grace reviewed their on-site mining methods and developed an alternative method, which involved more careful mining and reclamation done in segments.

The area consisted of well-drained soils and formed sandy marine sediment due to the fact that in the surface and subsurface soils, permeability (fluid transfer) was rapid.  In the subsoil layer, permeability was moderate.  The kaolin deposits lay in bands underneath these overburden soils.  Bulldozers cleared the site of trees and bushes.  The overburden was removed from the kaolin deposits by large equipment and saved to be used later to backfill (fill in) the excavations.   Backhoes were used to mine the kaolin which was then loaded onto trucks for transportation to the Grace Davidson plant in Aiken for processing.

A portion of the soils in the active mine site were classified as Udorthents-Arents complex as a result of kaolin mining.   These soils were extremely acidic and low in organic matter and permeability.  They were not suitable for cultivating crops, for use as grasslands, timberlands, or for urban development.  The land would have eroded and remained useless without proper reclamation.  This in turn required research and persistent maintenance on the part of the mining company.
 

Segmental mining reduced the environmental impact by clearing the smallest amount of natural vegetation necessary for each mining segment.  Reclamation of this mined section followed shortly thereafter.  Challenging issues for the mine reclamation included mass erosion and pollution from sources other than the mine site itself.

Photo shows the sedimentation and erosion of this area.

Erosion at the mine site caused water with sediments to drain and pool into an old pond.  A storm water runoff plan was developed that would decrease the flow of water on the slopes.  The water from the top of the overburden pile would be redirected to a sediment pond built midway up the slope.  The spillway or route the water would take was lined to control the energy flow of the water.  The resultant slopes were graded, heavily mulched, fertilized, and seeded so ground cover would quickly grow and prevent further erosion.

Final grading of all slopes

The Scott-Garrett mine is toured annually by the Aiken Teacher's Environmental Workshop as a prime example of mining reclamation.  Lush vegetation covers the entire site.  Year round maintenance is required to prevent erosion and ensure the continual vegetative state.  Vegetation on this reclaimed land provides food for wildlife including Canadian geese, turkey, and deer.