Terrestrial Environment of Pit Lakes

Abstract

The shape of a pit lake is influenced by many factors, including the amount and original distribution of the coal, lignite, or ore in the ground, the stability of the surrounding material, the extent of backfilling, and the age of the pit lake. The shape of the mine and the pit are also important in determining how mining affects the local and regional groundwater and, after mining ceases, how groundwater flows into the pit and affects the eventual water quality.