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, so when revegetation persistently fails, an in depth investigation is required.

Pumped hydro energy storage is gaining momentum as a critical component of Australia’s renewable energy transition. While environmentally beneficial in operation, their development requires significant infrastructure—such as roads, pipelines, and reservoirs—that can impact soil health, increase erosion risk, and reduce land suitability for agriculture. This case study demonstrates how Verterra approaches risk assessment for these projects.