Conceptual reclamation planning and the development of results-based standards at Elk Valley Coal’s Elkview Operations

In the winter of 2002/2003 Elk Valley Coal, Elkview Operations updated the 20-year reclamation plan that was prepared in 1983 when the mine was operated by Westar Mining Ltd. The resulting conceptual reclamation plan provides a vision for the horizontal distribution, vertical structure, and species composition of the plant communities that will be established. Clear, measurable and objective resultsbased standards for assessing reclamation success were developed and incorporated into the plan. Implementation of the conceptual reclamation plan will ensure that end land use and reclamation objectives are achieved, reclamation activities are progressive, and that the reclamation program remains flexible and responsive to new ideas and information.