Past and present reclamation operations for the Vesta Mine are reviewed. Descriptions of the early attempts at levelling, subsoil and topsoil salvage and replacement, and revegetation are given. Present day levelling, materials
handling and land ·management are briefly discussed. Direct correlation between increasingly stringent government regulations and level of effort in reclamation operations is evident by the evolution of current practices.
The Vesta Mine is located in east-central Alberta, in the County of Paintearth, near the communities of Forestburg and Halkirk. Coal produced from the mine is destined for Alberta Power Limited's 740 MW Battle River Generating Station. The Vesta Mine supplies approximately one million tonnes of high volatile subbituminous B coal to the station annually.