Vegetation Success, Seepage, and Erosion on Tailing Sites Reclaimed With Cattle and Biosolids

Abstract

High altitude, historic, gold and silver tailings deposits, which included a more recent cyanide heap leach operation, were decommissioned, detoxified, re-contoured and revegetated. Detoxification of the heap included rinsing with hydrogen peroxide, lime and ferric chloride, followed by evaporation and land application of remaining solution. Grading included the removal of solution ponds, construction of a geosynthetic/clay lined pond, heap removal and site drainage development. Ameliorative and adaptive revegetation methodologies were utilized. Revegetation was complicated by limited access, lack of topsoil, low pH and elevated metals concentrations in the tailings, and a harsh climate. Water quality sampling results for the first year following revegetation, indicate reclamation activities have contributed to a decrease in metals and sediment loading to surface waters downgradient of the site. Procedures, methodologies and results, following the first year of vegetation growth, are provided.

Effects of Natural Gas Well Development, Reclamation, and Controlled Livestock Impact on Topsoil Properties

“…Many livestock managers and mine operators support the controlled livestock impact approach, but it has rarely been scientifically or economically evaluated or tested in different environmental situations. In one study, Vinson et al (1999) report that treatments with 800 cattle days on soil-capped tailings in Arizona performed similarly to biosolid treatments with respect to biomass production, but had more planted plants that reached maturity and set seed. Lindemann et al (1989) describe nutrient immobilization associated with straw amendments on coal mine spoils, topsoil, and stockpiled topsoil.…”