A User Guide to Pit and Quarry Reclamation in Alberta

• Author(s) / Creator(s)

  • Knapik, L.
  • Green, J. E.
  • Wylie, C.
  • Van Egmond, T. D.
  • Paterson, L. R.
  • Jones, I.

• This manual - provides information on: • the basics of material extraction and processing, • planning of a pit or quarry operation from start-up to closure, and • selecting the best land use or uses for your reclaimed site, Important considerations in reclamation planning and methods for reclamation are described for six major types of land uses: agriculture, forestry, wildlife habitat, fish habitat, recreation, and residential/industrial use. The manual is intended for use by a broad audience that includes small 'private' pits and quarries, medium-sized commercial operations, and major, long-term commercial ventures, and operators with varying degrees of experience in planning and reclaiming a pit or quarry. The manual provides an introduction to reclamation planning and methods, as well as a summary of current regulations and requirements for operations on private lands and public lands. The manual should be used as 'catalogue' of some of the important factors you should consider in developing a pit or quarry, the types of end uses that may be suitable for your operation, and the range of reclamation methods that may help you attain your reclamation objectives. It should not be used as a comprehensive review of reclamation methods. Reclamation of pits and quarries, particularly large-scale sites, can be a complex undertaking. You are strongly encouraged to contact Alberta Environment or Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife for assistance in adequately reclaiming your site. Agency contacts and phone numbers are provided in Chapter 10. Trained professionals such as agrologists, soil scientists, biologists, planners, landscape architects and engineers can also provide consulting services, often at reasonable cost. Good planning and effective reclamation are in everyone's best interest. To operators, good planning promotes efficient and profitable extraction of the resource. Effective reclamation returns the land to other uses, some of which may provide additional financial benefits to your operation.

• Date created

  1991

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Pits
  • RRTAC
  • RRTAC 91-3
  • Reclamation
  • Planning
  • Sand and Gravel
  • End Land Use
  • Canada, Alberta

• Type of Item

  Report

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3321V

• License

  This material is provided under educational reproduction permissions included in Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development's Copyright and Disclosure Statement, see terms at http://www.environment.alberta.ca/copyright.html. This Statement requires the following identification: \"The source of the materials is Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development http://www.environment.gov.ab.ca/. The use of these materials by the end user is done without any affiliation with or endorsement by the Government of Alberta. Reliance upon the end user's use of these materials is at the risk of the end user.