Effect of mine spoil on native soil of Lower Gondwana coal fields: Raniganj coal mines areas, India

Mine spoil characteristics of the dump area and the native soil are analyzed critically to evaluate any deterioration in soil properties. The required level of soil nutrient of mine spoil is less than that of the native soil. Available nutrients (N, P, K), exchangeable cation (Ca, Mg, Na, K) of the native soil suggest that open cast mining changes the soil quality. Other physical properties of the mine spoil such as bulk density, water holding capacity, moisture content are lower than those of native soil. Mining method alters the soil texture from siltyloam to sandy soil, but old mine spoil at Belbad has regenerated from sandy to silty-loam type. There have been no such significant differences in trace metal content in mine spoil and native soil.