2005 MLRR Awards - Outstanding Reclamation-Exploration

	Mineral Land Regulation and Reclamation Program, 2005 Mined Land Reclamation Awards

Outstanding Reclamation-Exploration – Malheur Mining Corporation LCC, Kirby Site, Malheur County

Contact: Alan Glaser, (775) 738-9531

Background:

An exploration permit was first issued for the Kirby Site in 1988 for a drilling program on unpatented claims on BLM lands. Exploration activities continued through the years with concurrent reclamation occurring each year. Malheur Mining completed drilling in 2003. The DOGAMI file was closed in 2005.

In 1991 DOGAMI personnel commented that “as has been the case in the past, Malheur Mining continues to do an excellent job of reclamation.” Sites from the 1990 drilling program were reclaimed late fall, and even with poor precipitation over the winter, the techniques of leaving areas rough and seed tracked in with grouser marks perpendicular to the slope aided successful revegetation.

A DOGAMI inspection report from 1995 describes how difficult it was locating access roads that had been reclaimed previously. Vegetation, especially sagebrush, was found to be growing better on the reclaimed areas than on undisturbed areas.

New access road construction was kept to a minimum. All temporary roads were reclaimed at the end of the drilling season. The road surface was ripped to decompact the surface, then salvaged soil was replaced and seeded.

During a July 2005 inspection by DOGAMI personnel the exact location of roads and drill sites could not be determined. The recovery of planted and volunteer native species has been exceptional in this harsh growing environment.

For its consistent and outstanding reclamation at this site over the years, Malheur Mining is awarded for Outstanding Reclamation-Exploration.

Return to 2005 MLRR Awards home page

photograph of drillins site and rig surrounded by low, rolling, vegetated hills.

Low-impact drilling site on BLM land, Malheur County. Despite the harsh growing environment, vegetation on the reclaimed area thrives as well as, if not better than, vegetation on adjacent undisturbed areas.

Learn more about the DOGAMI Mineral Land Regulation and Reclamation Program

return to the top

Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries
800 NE Oregon Street #28, Suite 965, Portland, OR 97232-2162
(971) 673-1555, FAX (971) 673-1562
email us at DOGAMI

Department of Geology and Mineral Industries home

Your best source for outdoor recreation and natural resource information, plus the largest selection of maps in the Northwest.

Mineral Land Regulation and Reclamation Program, 2005 Mined Land Reclamation Awards