Reclamation of surface coal and oil sands mines in Western Canada
Abstract
A sizeable surface mining industry exists in Western Canada. There are the surface coal mines in the Provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan producing the bulk of Canadian Coal. The two oil sands plants in Fort McMurray, Alberta producing synthetic crude oil are surface mining operations. The Western Canadian surface oil sands and coal mines have many special features due to the geology and location of mineral deposits. This paper discusses (1) the current surface mining methods in both of these industries, (2) the status of abandonment and reclamation of surface mines in both of these industries.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Geology and Environmental Impact Studies
Mining and Resource Management
Mine drainage and remediation techniques
Publication details
- Journal / source
- CRC Press eBooks
- Pages
- 621–624
- Publication date
- 12 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter