Mineral extraction process must ensure the return of the productivity of the affected land.This monograph develops a new concept of shelf life period up to which mine soil can maintain its sustainability for suitable plant growth. Topsoil preservation is extremely important for the geo-environmental reclamation of damaged land due to mining. The issue is the preservation of topsoil in such a manner as to protect its productivity for later use in restoration of mined land. This problem is very much acute and large areas are continually being biologically unproductive every year. Efforts to...