BUREAU OF GEOLOGY


extrude sods onto a conveyor which deposits them onto the field for air
drying. At a moisture content of about 75 percent the sods are win-
drowed. Windrows are periodically split and turned to facilitate drying
and at about 55 percent moisture, sods are considered dry and removed
for storage (Aspinall, 1980).
 The milled peat mining method is one in which a peat layer one-quarter
to 2-inches thick is milled or shredded from the prepared surface of the
bog. The peat is periodically harrowed to expedite drying. At a moisture
content of 50 to 55 percent, the dried peat is pushed into ridges where it
is collected for transportation to storage facilities (Aspinall, 1980).
 Several methods of hydraulic peat mining are in development. Exam-
ples of these processes are the slurry ditch, hydro peat and slurry pond
methods (Aspinall, 1980). In each of these methods, the surface must be
cleared; but drainage is not necessary.
 The slurry ditch and hydro peat methods utilize high pressure water
guns to cut peat from a ditch face. The difference between the methods
lies in the post-mining dewatering process. The slurry ditch method uti-
lizes a dewatering apparatus; whereas, the hydro peat method is dewa-
tered by pumping the slurry to a drying field where it is spread to dry
(Minnesota DNR, 1981). The slurry pond method utilizes mechanical
excavators or a dredge to remove peat. Mining equipment is mounted on
a barge which floats on a pond excavated within the peat deposits as the
mining progresses.
 The ultimate success of wet mining methods will depend on the suc-
cessful development of very large scale dewatering processes and upon
the environmental impacts of the mining process (U.S. Department of
Energy, 1979). These may be the preferred methods, however, in areas
where drainage of peat deposits is technically difficult or environmentally
unsound.

 Mining Methodology Associated with the Agricultural Use of Peat

 In order to obtain current information on Florida's active peat opera-
tions for the present study, the staff of the Bureau of Geology designed
and conducted a survey of producers. In the first stage of this survey, a
list of peat producers was compiled. In an effort to make this list as
comprehensive as possible, a number of sources were consulted includ-
ing: existing lists of producers (Florida Bureau of Geology, United States
Bureau of Mines, United States Mines Safety and Health Administration);
agencies contacting peat producers in conjunction with regular profes-
sional services (county agricultural agents, Florida Department of Agri-
culture); and numerous telephone directories. In the second stage of the
survey, peat producers were contacted by telephone and field visits were
arranged. The information which follows was contributed on a voluntary
basis by producers who were contacted during field visits.
 Peat extraction methods vary with the size and nature of the deposit
being mined. Most deposits are mined using conventional types of earth-