Rehabilitation of Antimony Mine Wastes at Hillgrove, New South Wales

Abstract

The tailings disposal systems of the New England Antimony Mines N. L. Company were investigated and a plan for future tailings disposal prepared. This was a two stage process, the first resulting from the capacity of the existing tailings dump having been reached, the second from a decision to reprocess the tailings due to a rise in the price of gold and a decline in the grade of antimony in the mined rock. The tailings disposal systems involved the creation of a closed system in which both solid and liquid wastes could be managed. ... The root morphology of plants grown in the tailings mixtures reflected the aeration and mechanical impedence effects over the range of moisture tensions created under glass house conditions and regular watering to maintain field capacity. Roots were stunted with limited lateral development. Root tips were clubbed with many roots displaying swollen sections. An abundance of root hairs were evident together with noticeable changes in direction of root members. ... It was concluded that the establishment of vegetation in the tailings was not practicable due to the effects of poor aeration and mechanical impedence. The most suitable rehabilitation method would be to apply a topsoil covering and establish a self sustaining cover of vegetation.