From Failure to Function: Restoring Vegetation on Tailings Dams
Services: Investigation into Vegetation Failure on Capped Tailings and recommended solutions
Location: Queensland
Date: 2024
Soil analysis can help identify the factors behind persistent vegetation failure
Our Scope
Revegetation of mine tailings often relies on a thin soil cover to support vegetation growth. However, these tailings can be chemically and physically hostile to plants—especially when the depth of the cover soil is limited due to resource constraints. Poor vegetation establishment in these areas increases erosion risk and presents ongoing environmental and regulatory challenges.
Verterra was engaged to investigate persistent issues with vegetation failure on capped tailings areas at a mine site and to provide targeted, evidence-based recommendations to improve vegetation outcomes.
Challenges
Hostile growth conditions: Tailings material lacks essential properties to support vegetation and must be effectively isolated from the growth medium.
Shallow soil cover: Limited availability of topsoil resulted in thin covers with poor water and nutrient retention.
Poor vegetation performance: Inconsistent plant establishment and vegetation cover were contributing to increased erosion risk and regulatory non-compliance.
Verterra’s Solution
Verterra implemented a comprehensive investigation to identify the underlying causes of revegetation failure:
Site investigation: Assessed site conditions, tailings cap structure, and vegetation coverage.
Soil sampling and analysis: Collected samples to assess nutrient levels, physical properties, and identify soil constraints.
Vegetation assessment: Evaluated the extent and quality of plant establishment across the capped area.
Findings revealed that high rainfall had led to nutrient leaching, resulting in insufficient fertility within the shallow growth medium. Verterra recommended supplementary fertiliser applications and re-seeding to restore vegetation density.
Project Highlights
Soil analysis linked poor vegetation performance due to nutrient depletion from leaching
Identified low-cost, high-impact solutions using specific fertiliser blends, and seed-based interventions
Enabled the client to maintain existing capping structures without needing to import additional soil
Aligned with progressive rehabilitation targets and regulatory expectations
Outcomes
Improved vegetation establishment: Confirmed soil constraints as underlying cause, and identified supplementary treatments that have the potential to restore vegetative cover in poorly performing zones
Reduced future erosion risk: Improved vegetation cover protects surface soil from erosion
Cost-effective intervention: Avoided major reworks of the tailings capping while achieving compliance
Science-backed strategy: Provided clear evidence that ongoing risks were manageable through targeted land management
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