Quantification of mine land reclamation and carbon sequestration: New technology for non-destructive, in-situ measurement

For the coal industry as a major energy source to remain viable and to grow, it must be responsive to public concerns with; a) land disturbance from surface coal mining, and b) the massive emissions of CO ₂ and other greenhouse gasses from the combustion of coal. While the industry has devoted considerable efforts toward both land reclamation and emissions control, the present need to mitigate atmospheric CO ₂ increases gives mine soil restoration a new emphasis and importance. Based on 1992 NRI data land disturbed by mining was assessed at 4.4 Mha at United States alone. Implementation of reclamation strategies on these lands as well as on abandoned mined lands which focus on establishment of sustainable production of biomass and carbon sequestration would be beneficial; a) to the mining industry in the eyes of the public, b) in supplementing land needs for potential biofuels and crop production, c) to trading with carbon credits, and d) in sequestering some of the atmospheric CO ₂.