Mining activities often lead to habitat destruction, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity. Ecosystems impacted by mining are challenging to restore, further diminishing their capacity to generate benefits for society (WMC-Manuscript-RECOVERY-28.10.2022.Pdf, n.d.). Restoring biodiversity in post-mining landscapes involves different processes or steps that aim to rehabilitate the ecosystem disrupted by mining activities in the area.
Biodiversity in mined areas can be restored by a few strategies amongst others:
- Site Assessment and Planning: It begins with site planning and analysis, where the mined area is thoroughly assessed to understand its current condition. This includes evaluating soil composition, topography, hydrology, and ecological conditions. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is performed to identify potential impacts on air, water, and land resources. (What Is Mine Reclamation? 2024) as well.
- Soil Rehabilitation: Contouring and grading phase restores the land’s natural shape, stabilizing slopes and controlling erosion through terraces, berms, or retaining walls. Topsoil placement follows, using preserved or engineered soil to create a fertile base for vegetation regrowth.
- Vegetation Reintroduction: Planting the native species of the environment. This accelerates ecosystem recovery and provides habitats for local wildlife. Therefore, selecting appropriate species is crucial for the success of revegetation efforts of the site.
- Water Management: Water quality management is crucial, dealing with issues like acid mine drainage (AMD), heavy metal contamination, and sedimentation. Key strategies include neutralizing AMD with lime or wetlands, removing heavy metals via phytoremediation, controlling erosion with vegetation and retention ponds, and restoring wetlands with trees and plants along waterways to enhance filtration and stabilize habitats.
Restoring biodiversity isn’t just good Public Relations, it is smart business and a legacy worth leaving.
What’s your take? You got a success story of a mine’s rehabilitation or a challenge? Drop a comment
References:
https://www.jouav.com/blog/mine-reclamation.html
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38714170/
https://recoveryproject.uniovi.es/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/WMC-Manuscript-RECOVERY-28.10.2022.pdf
