Construction of Landforms
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/1/1/20115171/1760605.jpg?327)
A constructed landform (O'Kane Consultants, 2013)
In constructing landforms on sites, erosion becomes likely due to gullying, which occurs when berms supporting slopes fail and fill with sediment (Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices, 2011). Erosion can have a devastating impact on the attempts to revegetate and rehabilitate sites, so its is necessary that the issue is addressed thoroughly. There are a number of ways that this strategy can be implemented.
Implementation
The use berms during initial stages of rehabilitation can give the chance for vegetation to establish itself and settle (Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices, 2011). Vegetation minimises erosion, and once it has become established, the berms can be removed once the slope has become stable, removing the risk of them failing at a later date.
This process can be completed with waste rock replacing berms, which assists with reducing erosion while the vegetation settles and removes the risk of the berm failing
altogether.
Erosion can also be avoided by constructing slopes which are longer and higher using waste rock rather then berms. By creating them in a conclave shape there is a low risk of erosion due to the soil being sheltered and reflecting a natural hillside (Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry, 2006).
Waste soil excavated from areas of the site can be used to replicate a more natural environment for the vegetation to establish itself. To complete this, the surface should be artificially roughed, as this simulates a more natural occurrence then smooth surface (Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices, 2011).
This process can be completed with waste rock replacing berms, which assists with reducing erosion while the vegetation settles and removes the risk of the berm failing
altogether.
Erosion can also be avoided by constructing slopes which are longer and higher using waste rock rather then berms. By creating them in a conclave shape there is a low risk of erosion due to the soil being sheltered and reflecting a natural hillside (Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry, 2006).
Waste soil excavated from areas of the site can be used to replicate a more natural environment for the vegetation to establish itself. To complete this, the surface should be artificially roughed, as this simulates a more natural occurrence then smooth surface (Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices, 2011).
Evaluation
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/1/1/20115171/7714678.jpg?350)
A pond created within an open pit site (Corbis Premium, n.d.)
EMM Resources will implement a policy of monitoring to ensure that erosion is kept to acceptable levels. This will involve recording and measuring the soil, climate and vegetation before the commencement of rehabilitation, and after the construction of the landform, to ensure tha soil erosion is not causing, or going to cause, a significant issue into the future. The process of recording will continue on a regular basis until the formal closure of the site. Benchmarking will also be used to ensure that levels of soll erosion are within levels of similar sites in other locations.
References
Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices. (2011). A Guide to Leading Practice Sustainable Development in Mining. Retrieved May 5, 2013, from http://www.ret.gov.au/resources/documents/lpsdp/guidelpsd.pdf
Corbis Premium. (n.d.). Pond in Bingham Canyon Open Pit Copper Mine. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from
http://www.visualphotos.com/image/2x2676847/pond_in_bingham_canyon_open_pit_copper_mine
Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry. (2006). Mine Rehabilitation. Retrieved May 14, 2013, from http://www.minerals.org.au/file_upload/files/resources/enduring_value/mine_rehab.pdf
O'Kane Consultants. (2013). Landform Design. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from Mine Closure Planning:
http://www.okc-sk.com/mine-closure-planning/landform-design/
Corbis Premium. (n.d.). Pond in Bingham Canyon Open Pit Copper Mine. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from
http://www.visualphotos.com/image/2x2676847/pond_in_bingham_canyon_open_pit_copper_mine
Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry. (2006). Mine Rehabilitation. Retrieved May 14, 2013, from http://www.minerals.org.au/file_upload/files/resources/enduring_value/mine_rehab.pdf
O'Kane Consultants. (2013). Landform Design. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from Mine Closure Planning:
http://www.okc-sk.com/mine-closure-planning/landform-design/