Mining occupies a pivotal position in India, currently meeting over 60 per cent of the country’s commercial energy requirement and thus become increasingly recognized engine of development. An around 0.8 million hectare of land is under mining affecting local environment drastically.

• Mining occupies a pivotal position in India, currently meeting over 60 per cent of the country’s commercial energy requirement and thus become increasingly recognized engine of development. An around 0.8 million hectare of land is under mining affecting local environment drastically.
• Surface mining is spread over to about 5000 ha at Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC), Neyveli. The spoils of the first excavated mines are spread over an area of 300 ha. The slopes of these dumps, left as such over years have undergone erosion changes and currently present an environmental hazard and un-aesthetic outlook.

Surface mining is spread over to about 5000 ha at Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC), Neyveli. The spoils of the first excavated mines are spread over an area of 300 ha. The slopes of these dumps, left as such over years have undergone erosion changes and currently present an environmental hazard and un-aesthetic outlook.

PINNACLE FORMATION DUE TO EROSION

• Landslide has been common on steeper slopes of mine spoil overburdens leading to pinnacle development of various steepness and depth during the monsoon rains resulting in unstable slope formation.
• Attention must be given to control erosion on larger dumps and to stabilize the slopes. One way to reduce erosion is use of biological methods by creating diverse vegetation as soon as possible.

• Rehabilitation of such degraded slopes with pinnacles is a challenging task and this issue has to be addressed scientifically.
• A comprehensive mine spoil slope rehabilitation plan should be drawn based on research on the utilization of available natural resources, which includes compaction to stabilize the mine spoil slope, shaping of mine spoil pinnacles into slopes and terraces and greening the slopes.

TNAU INTERVENTIONS In this context, a collaborative research project was planned between Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, and Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC), Neyveli, to reclaim and rejuvenate degraded mine spoil slopes at NLC.Neyveli during the period of 2004-2008.

• Slope stabilization technology is highly suited to protect the slope structure from soil erosion, which in turn ensures eco health and stability to the mined area.
• The mining industries easily get environmental clearance for further activities of mining.
• The aesthetic value of the degraded system is improved for which the real value and benefit cost cannot be assessed.