Physical and Chemical Properties of Stockpiled Materials at a Mine Site in North Dakota

Strip-mining of coal in North Dakota currently involves removal and stockpiling of surface or "topsoil" material before the remaining overburden is removed and the coal is mined. The stockpiled material is subsequently spread on the surface of the shaped mine spoil and is the medium in which seeds are placed to establish a vegetative cover. Some of these stockpiled materials may deteriorate growing conditions of a reclamation site. The amount of salts and other minerals may complicate renewed plant growth. This article reviews six stockpiles which were located at the North American Coal Corporation's Indian Head mine, which was located near Zap, North Dakota. Samples taken from these stockpiles were checked for their texture, saturated conductivity, wind erodibility, dispersion, crust strengths, bulk density, water relations and chemical characteristics