Saskatchewan Power Corporation's Poplar River coal mine

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 75, No. 839, 1982

M.H. ALLAN, Director, Coal Supply, Saskatchewan Power Corporation, Regina, Sask.

This paper presents the geographic and geological setting of Saskatchewan Power Corporation's Poplar River Mine in south-central Saskatchewan, about 8 miles from the U.S. border. Generally the mine, which is being expanded to four million tons per year, is in an extremely disturbed geological area with severe dewatering problems. The lignite coal, which is strip mined, is supplied directly to an electric power generating station by means of a 7-mile unit-train private railroad.A number of unique reclamation and socio-economic problems were encountered because of the proximity to the U.S. border and because of the lack of experience of the regulatory authorities in projects of this kind. These are described in some detail, as well as the performance of one of the largest draglines in Canada.

Keywords: Coal mining, Saskatchewan Power Corporation, Poplar River mine, Reclamation, Lignite, Draglines, Dewatering programs