State-of-the-art and guidelines for surface-coal-mine overburden sampling and analysis. Phase 1 report: Survey of current methods and procedures. Final report

The study provides information on current methods and procedures used in the premining assessment of surface coal mine overburden. Topics addressed include: overburden drilling and sampling, parameters used for predicting overburden suitability in reclamation and for evaluating potential water quality impact, laboratory methods for analyzing overburden, and procedures for greenhouse testing of overburden. Primary information sources for the study included applicable federal and state regulations and guidelines, and published literature. Supplemental information was obtained through a survey of state regulatory agencies, coal mining companies, and researchers interested in the study topics. The study is the first phase of a two-part program under the contract.