Key AML Terms

[Site Under Development]

Hazard

A physical safety hazard such as an open shaft or adit (horizontal opening), or an environmental hazard such as drainage water from a mine opening that impacts water quality in a stream. Most abandoned mines pose a physical safety hazard rather than an environmental hazard.

Mitigation

Action taken to safeguard a physical safety hazard, or action to remedy an environmental hazard. Examples include constructing a grate over an open shaft or removing mill tailings from a drainage channel.

Reclamation

Reconstruction or regrading of soils and terrain at an abandoned mine to establish a landform with functional surface drainages and a self-sustaining native vegetative community.

Contamination

An undesirable substance affecting the natural environment. An example would be tailings at an abandoned mill with high concentrations of arsenic.

Remediation

To remedy a hazard (typically an environmental hazard) by containing, removing, or stabilizing the contaminants.

Restoration

Returning lands impacted by mining to a productive state for the designated land use such as wildlife habitat, recreation, grazing, etc.

Cleanup

Cleaning or removing derelict equipment, buildings, or contaminants from an abandoned mine site.