Location

Perth, WA

Disciplines

Soil Science

Description

Iron-ore mining is a major industry in Western Australia. The process of iron-ore extraction results in waste rock which may be backfilled into the pit void or discarded to form ‘waste rock dumps’ and fines, a by-product of crushing iron-ore. Resource companies have a legal and social responsibility to restore waste-rock dumps using local species. However, waste material may not be ideal for plant growth. Hence, as well as gaining an understanding of soil chemical and physical properties of waste materials, it is important to understand the plants interactions with the soil, especially in the early stages of restoration, such as seed germination and seedling emergence.

Comments

Peter Golos, Carole Elliot, Jason Stevens, Ben Miller also represent Kings Park Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Included in

Soil Science Commons

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Designing Soil Covers for Ecological Restoration of Mine Waste

Perth, WA

Iron-ore mining is a major industry in Western Australia. The process of iron-ore extraction results in waste rock which may be backfilled into the pit void or discarded to form ‘waste rock dumps’ and fines, a by-product of crushing iron-ore. Resource companies have a legal and social responsibility to restore waste-rock dumps using local species. However, waste material may not be ideal for plant growth. Hence, as well as gaining an understanding of soil chemical and physical properties of waste materials, it is important to understand the plants interactions with the soil, especially in the early stages of restoration, such as seed germination and seedling emergence.