ASMR 2010

Workshop Sessions

Pre-Conference Workshops Workshops subject to cancellation if the minimum number of students not met. All workshop attendees notified in event of a cancellation.

Erosion Estimates for Mined Lands Using RUSLE 2
Instructor: Dr. Terry Toy	Saturday and Sunday, all day
Minimum 10, Maximum 25 Erosion control remains the best method of sediment control. And the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, version Version 2 (RUSLE 2) is the best, practical, method of soil-loss estimation for erosion control planning and plan evaluation. Now, RUSLE 2 has been updated and adapted for severely disturbed conditions, including mine sites. In this introductory course, attendeesl received a free copy of the new RUSLE 2 program; learedn where to find additional RUSLE 2 databases for a site, and how to tailor RUSLE 2 for erosion–control planning and plan evaluation. Most importantly, attendees gained hands-on experience with RUSLE 2 by loading it onto laptop computers and working through several common erosion-control scenarios under the guidance of instructors. Attendees learedn how to compare various erosion-control strategies for a site. Along the way, attendees also learned how environmental conditions affect erosion processes and rates. The NRCS has adopted RUSLE 2 for use in soil-conservation planning. Other federal agencies and several states are encouraging the use of RUSLE 2 for erosion-control planning for all types of disturbed lands. RUSLE 2 puts the consultant, reclamationist, and regulator on the same page.
Workshop cost: $170	A computer is needed. Attendees receive course literature and software.

Semi-Arid Mineland Reclamation “The Past 40 Years”
Instructors: Bruce Buchanan	Saturday (8 hours)
Minimum 15, Maximum 50 The workshop discussed the do’s and don’ts of reclamation and what we have learned over the past 40 years. A panel of western experts provided a Q/A session and shared their experience, advice and recommendations. This workshop is a necessity for the reclamationist who wants to do it once, and do it right.
Workshop cost: $140	A computer is needed. Attendees receive course literature.

Mine Drainage Treatment: A Detailed Review of Active Treatment Options, Advantages, and Challenges
Instructors: Bernard Aubé, Janice Zinck	Sunday (8 hours)
Minimum 10, Maximum 100 Neutral mine drainage or acid rock drainage (ARD) formation cannot always be prevented economically, particularly in older mine sites. In many cases, the most economical solution is that of treatment. There are many treatment options available. This course focused primarily on active treatment technologies and what is new in treatment processes. The course focused on treatment system design and performance, as well process and cost optimization as they relate to actual existing systems. The basics and challenges of active treatment and water management were discussed along with specific active technologies such as lime neutralization, membrane separation, the treatment of molybdenum, selenium, arsenic, and sulfate. Lime treatment sludge stability and management also examined.
Workshop cost: $200	A computer is not needed. Attendees receive a CD. Lunch provided.

Mobile Computing Technology Developments for SMCRA
Instructors: Marcelo Calle, Julian Calabrese, and Tom Mastaller	Sunday afternoon (4 hours)
Minimum 10, Maximum 40 Recent advances in mobile computing and GPS have provided important applications for real time mapping and data collection in surface mine reclamation. A variety of field devices offer features that improve the reliability, flexibility, and convenience of GIS data collection. Implementation of the Bluetooth communication now allows for wireless operation. Remotely-sensed and aerial imagery in a variety of formats are supported across multiple form factors and displays. Software functionality has been enhanced to incorporate more data formats and better integrate real-time GPS positioning with GIS data sets. The workshop described and demonstrated new devices and supporting software from GIS arena. Live data collection and imagery display performed in short field sessions during the last part of the workshop.
Workshop cost: $35	A computer is needed. Attendees receive course literature.

Modeling and Evaluating Mine Drainage Treatment using Geochemist Workbench
Instructor: Brent Means	Sunday (8 hours)
Minimum 3, Maximum 15 This class was aimed at providing attendees with an understanding of how to apply the geochemical modeling program, Geochemist Workbench, to model the treatment chemistry of active and passive treatment systems. The class focused on the practical application of modeling and used data collected from various mine discharges and treatment systems to cover the following topics: • Creating activity and Eh/pH diagrams to identify solubility controls on mine drainage; • Developing strategies to constrain a model to produce usable “real-world” results; • Modeling chemical consumption, treatment pH, and effluent chemistry for NaOH, CaO, Ca(OH)2, lime slurry, CaCO3, and Na2CO3 treatment systems and predicting the treatment costs; • Modeling the effect of CO2 pre-aeration on chemical consumption and treatment costs (chemical savings versus mechanical aerator operation); • Using a model to develop a comprehensive watershed restoration strategy to achieve in-stream restoration goals for abandoned mine land scenarios; • Evaluate the performance of VFP, ALD, and bioreactors; • Modeling CO2 exsolution kinetics for passive and active aeration devices; • Modeling heterogeneous and homogenous iron oxidation to size ferrous reactor tanks and passive treatment. Because of time constraints, the class was more geared-towards watching instructor-led examples than learning the software. However, attendees were invited to follow along using their own laptop and a supplied trial-version of Geochemist Workbench, if desired.
Workshop cost: $50	A computer is needed. Attendees receive course literature and software (trial version).

Passive Treatment of Alkaline Fe-Contaminated Mine Waters
Instructor: Bob Hedin	Sunday (8 hours)
Minimum 8, Maximum 26 The most successful use of passive treatment has been in the treatment of alkaline Fe-contaminated waters. This chemistry is typical of many deep mine discharges in western PA and is also common wherever mining occurs in alkaline strata. Hedin Environmental is a leader in the design and construction of passive systems for these waters. The morning session presented design considerations including: passive treatment background; chemical characterization; pretreatment with ALDs; loading measurements; design and sizing of passive systems; cost estimation; operation and maintenance requirements; sludge recovery and sale; and NPDES compliance. Experiences and data from existing systems were highlighted. The afternoon session was at the Wingfield Pines Passive Treatment System, which is located 10 miles from the conference venue. The system contains innovative aeration and design features. The system’s design, construction, and performance will be detailed. Its evolution into a regional educational and artistic asset were highlighted.
Workshop cost: $205 NOTE: Transportation to the Wingfield Pines Passive Treatment System is included in the cost	A computer not needed. Attendees receive course literature. Box lunch provided.

Communication and Presentation Improvement “Harness The Power Of Words”
Instructors: Adam Buchanan	Sunday (8 hours)
Minimum 10, Maximum 50 Refine your presenting skills by learning the dos and don’ts of public speaking and presenting information. Learn how to analyze your audience and how to best communicate using “The Platinum Rule”. Learn PowerPoint skills to spice up your presentations. Learn how to get more out of meetings to increase productivity and reduce stress. Presenters will also be offering PowerPoint consultations provided throughout the week of meetings that is included in the registration fee.
Workshop cost: $160	A computer is not needed. Attendees receive course literature.

Remote Sensing for SMCRA Applications
Instructors: Dianne Osborne, Janine Ferarese, Lukus Monette	Sunday (8 hours)
Minimum 10, Maximum 40 This Workshop provided a basic overview of what remote sensing is and how it can be used to support SMCRA Title IV and V applications. Attendees learned what types of remotely sensed imagery are available, what imagery costs, how to decide what type of imagery to use, and how to get imagery. Current remote sensing SMCRA projects and the use of data mining tools to support these applications were presented.
Workshop cost: $50	A computer is not needed.

ARRI Forestry Reclamation Approach Workshop
Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Franklin	Monday (3 hours)
Minimum 5, Maximum 50 This workshop provided an overview of the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA). Each of the FRA’s five steps were described and discussed, and examples demonstrating step by step field application were presented. Workshop Flyer
Workshop Cost: Free	A computer is not needed. Attendees receive course literature