The surface mining method of mountaintop removal has been shown to adversely affect the water quality and hydrologic characteristics of downstream regions. Based on recent scientific literature, the U.S. EPA issued guidance on the specific conductivity (EC25ºC) of waters discharged from mined lands in the Appalachian Coal Belt Region stating that these waters should have an EC25ºC less than 300-500 μS cm-1. Hence, accurately measuring EC25ºC levels of mine discharged waters has significant implications. Furthermore, the development of reclamation techniques that positively impact the hydrological and water quality aspects of valley fill (VF) discharge is needed. To tackle these questions, a two-part study was conducted. First, a detailed study comparing sensor performance under controlled and field conditions was performed. Second, the hydrologic parameters (storm flow only) of a stream restoration project constructed atop a retrofitted valley fill were compared to a headwater stream with no mining as well as one influenced by mining with no restoration. Results indicated that significant differences were noted between four conductivity sensors with errors positively correlated with increases in EC25ºC. For storm events, the restored stream section atop the VF is performing similar to the unminded, forested watershed for some hydrologic parameters.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo à caracterização do carvão de Candiota visando seu beneficiamento. A caracterização do carvão para o seu beneficiamento tem sido de grande importância hoje, uma vez que este recurso mineral representa uma alternativa energética em todo o mundo. Entretanto, a previsão de um bom aproveitamento deste recurso mineral, não passa da necessidade da sua caracterização efetiva. O beneficiamento do carvão tem por objetivo promover a redução do teor de cinza, o aumento do teor da matéria carbonosa e conseqüentemente, do poder calorífico. Além disso, promove a redução do teor de enxofre e a obtenção de granulometrias adequadas às especificações industriais, visando a sua utilização em função das necessidades do mercado consumidor. Para a caracterização do carvão de Candiota para este estudo foram elaboradas tabelas comparativas de todas as camadas divididas em dois grupos: camadas inferiores e superiores nos furos 364, 365, 366, 368, 369, 670, 371 e 372. Devido às exigências mínimas no conteúdo de teor de cinzas no carvão mineral para o seu uso no mercado consumidor, foram pré-definidos três cortes de cinzas em 35, 42 e 48 %. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto, foi calculado para todas as camadas presentes nos furos anteriormente referidos, o concentrado e o respectivo rejeito. Também foi calculada para cada camada a recuperação mássica teórica, média ponderada nas frações -25,4 +2,0 mm e -2,0 +0,1mm respectivamente. A fração fina de -0,1 mm foi considerada para descarte. Igualmente foram elaborados os fluxogramas de beneficiamento para todas as camadas do carvão nos furos anteriormente referidos, assim como as suas respectivas curvas médias de blendagem. Não foram usados métodos estatísticos para este estudo, nem a previsão de maior recuperação usando as curvas tromp ou de erro, em contra partida foram elaboradas as curvas médias nas blendagens das camadas inferiores e superiores incluindo neste último a camada Banco Louco. / This study aims to characterize the Candiota coal processing your order. The characterization of coal to its processing has been of great impotrance today, since this non-renewable mineral resource represents an alternative energy source worldwide. However, the forecast of a good use of this mineral resource is but need for effective characterization. The beneficiation of coal aims to promote the reduction of ash content, the increase in content of carbonaceuos matter and therefore, the calorific value.It also promotes the reduction of surfur content and particle size appropriate for obtaining industrial specification for their application to the needs of the consumer market. For the characterization of coal Candiota for this study were prepared comparative tables of all seams divided in two groups: lower and upper seams in the holes 364, 365, 366, 368, 369, 370, 371 and 372. Due to the specification, the minimumm content of ash content in coal for use in the market, were pre-defined three of ash 35, 42 and 48%. To achive the proposed objective, was calculated for all seams in the holes previously mentioned, its concentrate and their waste. Was also calculated for each seams theoretical mass recovery ash content, calculate the weighted average fractions -25,4 +2,0 mm and -2,0 +0,1 mm respectively. The fine fraction of -0,1 mm was considered for disposal. Also were prepared flowcharts of processing for all seams of coal holes mentioned above, as well as their respective average curves blending. No statiscal methods were used for this study, neithet the higher recovery prediction curves using tromp or error, starting from the average curves were prepared in blends of lower and upper seams including the discontinue seam.

The Chabarovice coal mining pit arose by flooding the former strip mine area for brown coal. After filling, the pit area should reach about 225 hectare, total volume of water 34.4 mil. m3, average depth 15,6 meters with maximum of 23,3meters. It is assumed that the pond and adjacent areas will be used for recreation usage after completion of recultivation and ground shaping. I have performed the investigations in June and in August 2004 - 2005, using basic ichthyological methods. The data about recruitment were collected by the littoral seine net and adult fish (older than one year) were investigated by gillnets nets. Fish was determinated to genus, individually measured by slide caliper (fry) and by measuring plate (adult fish). The lenght of fish body (SL-standart lenght) was measured in millimeters and fish were weighted separately (W v g). In the year 2005, also scales were taken from individual fish for the age assesment. Obtained data were processed with regard to performed biomanipulation measures in individual sectores. Nine fish species and one hybrid were recorded by the monitoring with gillnets nets. The most numerous fish were juveniles and adults of rudd with SL 74 {--} 300 mm and the weight up to 618 g. The fish species with the strongest impact upon the pit ecosystem function is conitnuously the perch with the dominance of individuals with SL 46 to 337 mm and weight zup to 850 g.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo à caracterização do carvão de Candiota visando seu beneficiamento. A caracterização do carvão para o seu beneficiamento tem sido de grande importância hoje, uma vez que este recurso mineral representa uma alternativa energética em todo o mundo. Entretanto, a previsão de um bom aproveitamento deste recurso mineral, não passa da necessidade da sua caracterização efetiva. O beneficiamento do carvão tem por objetivo promover a redução do teor de cinza, o aumento do teor da matéria carbonosa e conseqüentemente, do poder calorífico. Além disso, promove a redução do teor de enxofre e a obtenção de granulometrias adequadas às especificações industriais, visando a sua utilização em função das necessidades do mercado consumidor. Para a caracterização do carvão de Candiota para este estudo foram elaboradas tabelas comparativas de todas as camadas divididas em dois grupos: camadas inferiores e superiores nos furos 364, 365, 366, 368, 369, 670, 371 e 372. Devido às exigências mínimas no conteúdo de teor de cinzas no carvão mineral para o seu uso no mercado consumidor, foram pré-definidos três cortes de cinzas em 35, 42 e 48 %. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto, foi calculado para todas as camadas presentes nos furos anteriormente referidos, o concentrado e o respectivo rejeito. Também foi calculada para cada camada a recuperação mássica teórica, média ponderada nas frações -25,4 +2,0 mm e -2,0 +0,1mm respectivamente. A fração fina de -0,1 mm foi considerada para descarte. Igualmente foram elaborados os fluxogramas de beneficiamento para todas as camadas do carvão nos furos anteriormente referidos, assim como as suas respectivas curvas médias de blendagem. Não foram usados métodos estatísticos para este estudo, nem a previsão de maior recuperação usando as curvas tromp ou de erro, em contra partida foram elaboradas as curvas médias nas blendagens das camadas inferiores e superiores incluindo neste último a camada Banco Louco. / This study aims to characterize the Candiota coal processing your order. The characterization of coal to its processing has been of great impotrance today, since this non-renewable mineral resource represents an alternative energy source worldwide. However, the forecast of a good use of this mineral resource is but need for effective characterization. The beneficiation of coal aims to promote the reduction of ash content, the increase in content of carbonaceuos matter and therefore, the calorific value.It also promotes the reduction of surfur content and particle size appropriate for obtaining industrial specification for their application to the needs of the consumer market. For the characterization of coal Candiota for this study were prepared comparative tables of all seams divided in two groups: lower and upper seams in the holes 364, 365, 366, 368, 369, 370, 371 and 372. Due to the specification, the minimumm content of ash content in coal for use in the market, were pre-defined three of ash 35, 42 and 48%. To achive the proposed objective, was calculated for all seams in the holes previously mentioned, its concentrate and their waste. Was also calculated for each seams theoretical mass recovery ash content, calculate the weighted average fractions -25,4 +2,0 mm and -2,0 +0,1 mm respectively. The fine fraction of -0,1 mm was considered for disposal. Also were prepared flowcharts of processing for all seams of coal holes mentioned above, as well as their respective average curves blending. No statiscal methods were used for this study, neithet the higher recovery prediction curves using tromp or error, starting from the average curves were prepared in blends of lower and upper seams including the discontinue seam.

M.Sc. / This study aims to assess the potential impacts of coal mine activity on exposed fish assemblages in the Mpumalanga Highveld area. A control-impact-assessment method was applied, with sites located upstream and downstream from mining activity. All sites were located in the upper Olifants catchment. Field assessments were done over a high flow and low flow period. It was ascertained that water quality variables contributing towards differences between upstream and downstream environmental conditions are salt concentrations, pH and oxygen saturation. Alterations on fish community structures indicated a categorical decline in abundances and species richness at sites situated downstream from mining activity, while Fish Response Assessment Index (FRAI) scores similarly reflected more impaired fish assemblages at downstream sites. Redundancy analysis (RDA), using fish assemblages and FRAI driver metrics explained 36.5 % of variance obtained and reflected particular alteration in Barbus neefi, B. paludinosus, Tilapia sparrmanii and Pseudocrenilabrus philander populations. Sites most severely impacted were identified, as well as the main drivers responsible for changes in fish assemblages. The Cover metric contributed significantly (p<0.05 to variance measured. Subsequent community threshold management targets are presented for problem sites, which aim to manage each site at an ecological category one class higher than the Present Ecological State (PES).

M.Phil. / In an ever - increasing competitive business world it is essential to optimise the replacement of expensive mining equipment. The decisions regarding the replacement of assets used in a coal mine are usually based on life cycle costing models. Financial methods such as Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return or Payback are applied to determine the feasibility of replacement of the asset. Whereas these methods and other models such as life cycle costing, challenger / defender and the Non-Homogeneous Poisson Process models can be applied in most cases, it is deemed to be insufficient as the sole decision making tool for the replacement of mining equipment. The development of another tool to assist in the decision making process is required for specific use by the engineer to be used in conjunction with the traditional financial models. Key performance indicators are used extensively in the mining industry to manage the performance of equipment and are deemed to be essential components in achieving the organisation's objectives. There are certain limitations when using only the traditional financial life cycle costing methods when viewed from the engineer's perspective, since they do not directly incorporate the level of the maintenance function and the performance effectiveness of the asset. The engineer usually requires more insight into the performance of the asset to assess the feasibility of replacement, hence the need for an additional tool that incorporates these key performance indicators. In most cases there are relationships between the various key performance indicators themselves as well as between them and the operating and maintenance cost of the asset. The key performance indicators used are availability, reliability (mean time to failure), maintainability (mean time to repair) and the operability (tons per direct operating hour). There are certain factors that may lead to the excessive operating and maintenance cost of an asset, especially if there is no investigation into the reasons for the excessive cost. Examples are sub-standard maintenance practices and an insufficient level of service from suppliers. Both are issues that can be resolved with a consequent decrease in the cost of ownership of the asset. Cost as the only indicator of the feasibility of replacement may therefore not be a true reflection of the real status of the performance of the asset. Weighting factors are used to allocate values to the key performance indicators in terms of their contribution towards achieving the organisational objectives. The equipment effectiveness is derived from these values to give an indication of how well the equipment is performing against predetermined benchmarks. This dissertation attempts tb find a solution to the problem through the use of the key performance indicators in addition to the existing models that focus on the financial aspect in order to provide a more accurate assessment of the replacement requirement of an asset in an opencast coal mine.

Der Beitrag beschreibt die Voraussetzungen des gelungenen Strukturwandels mit der Bündelung der Potentiale von Bodenschätzen, Geographie, Wirtschaft und Bevölkerung. Das Ruhrrevier in seiner heutigen Form ist im besonderen Maße Ausdruck der montanindustriellen Entwicklung. Diese wiederum hängt maßgeblich von der Ausbildung der Steinkohlenlagerstätte ab. So sind es die geologischen Schichten der Region, die diese nachhaltig gestaltet haben. Die Steinkohlenlagerstätte des Ruhrreviers entwickelte sich bereits vor über 300 Mio. Jahren unter subtropischen Bedingungen. Meeresnahe Ablagerungen sind Ursprung des „schwarzen Goldes“, der Steinkohle zwischen Ruhr und Lippe. Eine wechselvolle Geschichte führt über Gebirgsbildungen, Fort- und Rückschreitung der Küstenlinie sowie eiszeitlicher und fluviatiler Sedimentationen zur Gestaltung von Geologie und Morphologie im Ruhrrevier. Die heutige Raumstruktur des Ruhrgebiets entstand somit aus der Geomorphologie des Karbons mit den sich herausgebildeten Flüssen Ruhr, Emscher und Lippe und den sich daran orientierenden mittelalterlichen Städten und Siedlungen. Mit den Auswirkungen der industriellen Revolution auf Basis Kohle, Eisen und Stahl veränderte sich die Region von einem landwirtschaftlich geprägten Raum hin zum heutigen Ballungsraum mit über 5 Millionen Einwohnern. Von den ehemals über 400 Zechen im Ruhrrevier existierten im Jahr 2015 noch zwei fördernde Bergwerke. Das Bergwerk Auguste Victoria wurde Ende 2015 eingestellt, das Bergwerk Prosper Haniel wird Ende 2018 die Förderung einstellen. Damit endet der subventionierte Steinkohlebergbau in Deutschland aus ökonomischen Gründen. Die Lagerstätte im Ruhrrevier ist jedoch bei weitem noch nicht erschöpft. Die Beendigung des Bergbaues führte zu einem Strukturwandel, der in den 1960er Jahren begann und heute noch nicht sein Ende gefunden hat. Er hat eine industrielle, stabile Raumstruktur mit neuem Leben zu füllen. Zwischen Ruhr und Lippe sowie am Niederrhein haben 53 eigenständige Städte und Gemeinde das historische Erbe aufzunehmen und gemeinsam die regionalen Stärken zu fördern. Die großen Flächenstilllegungen wurdenin den prosperierenden Zonen zu modernen Stadtquartieren mit unterschiedlichsten Nutzungen entwickelt oder haben in den Zwischenräume die Landschaften und Freizeitgebiete vergrößert. / The article describes the prerequisites for a successful structural change in the Ruhr area during the last 60 years. Via the regional bundling of the potential in raw materials, geography, economy and population the region managed the termination of the coal and steel industry. More than 50 communities have to deal with the historic legacy and they have to promote the local features. The cessation of the intensive coal-mining phase requires creative ideas, intensive communication, coordination of a lot of stakeholders to ensure a development in the direction of new stable structures.

Many historians have presented the narrative of Canada’s Second World War experience as a “good” war. Individuals and communities came together in patriotism and a common purpose to furnish the national war effort with military manpower, labour, financial contributions, and voluntary efforts. As the dark years of the Great Depression gave way to unprecedented levels of industrial and economic growth, falling unemployment rates, increased urbanization, and a wealth of social programs, Canada’s future was bright. However, this optimistic picture is not representative of Canada as a whole. Some regions fared better than others, and industrial Cape Breton was one of those that benefited the least from the opportunities presented by the war. Glace Bay, Cape Breton’s largest mining town and long-time hotbed of industrial strife and labour radicalism, serves as an ideal case study of the region’s largely unprofitable and unchanging wartime experience. Long plagued by poverty, poor living conditions, and underdeveloped industry, and desperately seeking to break free of its destitution, Glace Bay tried and failed to take advantage of wartime opportunities for industrial diversification and local improvement.

The state energy conception sets the direction in energy industry and outlines main instruments and trends in this area. The priority of the state energy conception is to reach energy security of the country, which can be ensured by more energy resources of the fuel mix. The main component of the domestic energy mix is brown coal, which is mostly used in brown coal electric works for generating electric energy and heat. Coal mining is and was one of the main elements of Czech Republic's national industry, but there are also negative ecological impacts connected with coal winning. Further coal mining is restricted by so-called territorial ecological limits for brown coal mining that protect the environment and community against the mining consequences. Many of the brown coal supplies can, however, also in future represent an important energy resource, which will enable security, production independence and price availability of energy. At work is further explanation of the limits and progress of breaking the limits. Other energy resources are nuclear energy and renewable energy resources, whose importance rises and which contribute to a balanced energy mix.

The thesis consists of several parts. The first one presents basic characteristics of the Usti Region emphasizing its weaknesses and strengths. Interregional and nationwide comparison is used for some indicators. The second part is devoted to mining as the industrial activity so typical for the Usti Region. Here, milestones of the region's mining history and the current operation of mining companies in the region are described, and major mining sites listed and briefly presented. The third part deals with explanation of the term of "restoration, existence of various forms of restoration, their financing or basic documents for them, and importance of post-mining revitalisation in the territory. The final part is devoted to application of revitalisation in the Usti Region. The objective of the thesis is to identify the overall economic cost for restoring the territory affected by mining in its maximum variant - complete exploitation of all the soft coal deposits occurring in the Usti Region territory.