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Mine Closure Guidelines OM
Mine Closure Guidelines OM
Mine Closure Guidelines OM
Bure u of Mines research is performed and reported under mandate of the United States Congress. For a fr. .
• ubacrlptJon to Technology New., write to Office 0'
Technology Tran,'er. Bure.u of Mine•• MS 8201,
810 7th St, NW., Wa.hlngton, DC 20241-0001.
Th' document wu prepared by the: U.S. Bureau or Mines. Neithe r the Un ited Slates Government nor any person Bcting on behalf of the U nited
SLil le$ Government illSumc Bny liability reiulling from the use of the infonnalion contained in this document, or warrants that such U5C be (ree from
privately owned right~.
Concrete Bridge OIannels Cap-Preeast concrete bridge common fill. PUP is a permanent closure. Lightweight
sections are laid over the shaft collar and back.filled to construction materials are easily transported or baclc.-
approximate original contours at the site. This method is packed to remote sites. The bottom form requires little
used where the shaft collar has 3.6 meters (ll feet) or less structural strength. Backfilled openings do not attract
of soil cover over competent rock and can be used to vandals or casual visitors if returned to natural contours.
cover large shaft openings.
Riprop Bulkhead-Riprap is placed inside and around an
Concrete Shaft Cap-A concrete cap is constructed over awl portal or inclined shaft collar to provide a permanent
the shaft collar. The cap is backfilled to approximate the and complete blockage of the opening. If the portal drains
original contours at the site. This closure method is used water, a noncorrosive drainpipe must be installed. This
where the shaft coUar is in competent rock. closure method is used for permanent closures where DO
access is required for people or wildlife. See illustration
Hollow-Core Shaft Closure-A steel-reinforced concrete below.
shaft wall is constructed that will serve as a foundation for
a shaft cap and an optional corrugated steel culvert access. Shaft or Slope Backfill-Backfill mine closures consist of
This closure method can be used where the shaft opening filling shafts or stopes with on-site or imported unclassified
is in soil up to 12 meters (4{) feet) deep over bedrock. It fill, riprap, and clay barriers where it is necessary to isolate
can be used where the soil coUar bas coUapsed, forming a aquifers. Backfill closures are intended for use as perma-
funnel-shaped surface opening. nent closures where no access is required for people or
wildlife.
Native Rock Bulkhead-A bulkhead of native rock and
cement grout is built into the adit portal or inclined shaft For More Information
collar. This method is used where DO wildlife access is
needed and a natural appearance is desired. The portal Further details or additional information. including
must be in competent rock, except for the floor. technic.a1 drawings, about any or all of these closure tech-
niques may be obtained by cont.acting the principal inves-
PUF Shaft Closures-Polyurethane foam (PUP) shaft tigator for this project: Michael Gobla, U.S. Bureau of
closures consist of installing a bottom form, spraying PUP Mines, Intermountain Field Operations Center, Denver
over the form to a required minimum thickness (depend- Federal Center, Bldg. 20, P.O. Box 25086, Denver, CO
ent on the size of the opening), and backfilling with 80225, Tel: (303) 236-0423.
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BeFore Closure After Closyre
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