Terril (mining spoil heap)

A terril is a large mound of waste material left after mining operations, particularly in coal mining regions. These heaps, also called spoil heaps, consist of crushed rock and debris extracted during mining. They often appear as elongated or rounded mounds and can serve as landmarks. Over time, some terrils are stabilized, landscaped, or repurposed for recreational or industrial uses. While they are remnants of mining activity, they also pose environmental concerns due to potential contamination and stability issues, making their management an important aspect of post-mining land reclamation.