Summary

This review describes erosion at mine sites and provides information for miners and geotechnical engineers on evaluating, analyzing, and controlling sheet erosion, gully erosion, and long-term geomorphic-induced regional erosion that may affect the environment of reclaimed and closed mine sites.

---

INTRODUCTION

Control of erosion is an ever-present mine reality. In this review, I will lead you through the papers, web sites, consultants, and commercial products available to control both short-term and long-term erosion at you mine site.

I define and address three types of erosion relevant to mine operations and closure:

• Sheet or surficial erosion that generates sediment and affects surface-water runoff quality.
• Gully erosion that results in exposure of the underlying layers of covers and contaminated materials.
• Topographic erosion that in the long term results in lowering of the landscape and undermining of the closed piles and dumps.