Reclamation of coal mine waste dumps at high elevations in British Columbia: 25 years of success

Since 1969, Fording Coal limited has maintained an active reclamation research and revegetation program in mountainous terrain at its Fording River Surface Coal Mine Operation near Elkford, British Columbia. To date, over 400 hectares of mined land have been reclaimed to previously existing land uses such as Moderate Yield Forest, and Wildlife Summer and Winter Range. Innovative reclamation techniques and species selection, developed through research trials, have been the key to successful rehabilitation of these sites, challenged by high elevation, exposure and sheer magnitude.