The removal of vegetation and disturbance of the soil surface due to a range of human activities results in the potential for soil structure degradation and sediment movement. Polyacrylamides have been used to improve infiltration and reduce erosion on agricultural lands. However, they are not commonly used as part of management and rehabilitation programs on land disturbed by construction or mining activities in Australia. A study was undertaken to investigate the potential for polyacrylamides to improve infiltration and reduce erosion of soil material from 3 Australian mine sites. The polyacrylamides were found to significantly (P < 0.05) increase total infiltration under rainfall, reduce surface hardness, and reduce sediment entrainment and erosion by both rainfall and overland flows. The effectiveness of the polyacrylamide was found to be related to clay content of the soil as well as the molecular weight and charge density of the polyacrylamide. The implications of these results for the management and rehabilitation of disturbed lands are discussed.

Over the last 10 years, Landloch Pty Ltd has developed and applied a distinctive approach to the design of final waste dump shapes and the management of their rehabilitation. Various elements of that approach have been recommended and/or adopted by both industry and regulators to greater or lesser degrees, and with varying levels of both commitment and success. This paper briefly outlines the approach applied, and discusses its limitations and successes, using examples from a number of mine sites. It then considers alternative approaches to landform design that have been advanced, including use of generic guidelines, attempts to mimic natural landscapes, and attempts to simply mimic advanced design methodologies. Conceptual weaknesses of those alternative approaches are reviewed, and potential for further refinement is discussed, again, using data from various sites.

Over the last 10 years, Landloch Pty Ltd has developed and applied a distinctive approach to the design of final waste dump shapes and the management of their rehabilitation. Various elements of that approach have been recommended and/or adopted by both industry and regulators to greater or lesser degrees, and with varying levels of both commitment and success. This paper briefly outlines the approach applied, and discusses its limitations and successes, using examples from a number of mine sites. It then considers alternative approaches to landform design that have been advanced, including use of generic guidelines, attempts to mimic natural landscapes, and attempts to simply mimic advanced design methodologies. Conceptual weaknesses of those alternative approaches are reviewed, and potential for further refinement is discussed, again, using data from various sites.

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Abstract. Coal seam gas (CSG) activities in the Surat and Bowen Basin areas of Queensland