Virdis Terra uses ecological restoration to revive nature after mining operations

Viridis Terra uses ecological restoration to revive nature after mining operations

Viridis Terra is a Canadian green tech company that specializes in the fields of ecosystem restoration and sustainable management to fight land degradation around the globe. They focus on the restoration of lands and soils, the formulation, implementation and sustainable management of large-scale reforestation, afforestation, and agroforest landscape restoration projects. The team of 45-plus is currently working in Canada, Haiti, Burkina Faso, and Peru.

Mine RestoRation: RestoRe afteR Use

Mine restoration is an effective means for supporting sustainable development approaches for mining operations, as well as for maintaining the social licence to operate. Rapid mitigation of the negative effects of mining on the environment and local communities is achieved through restoration by containing and eliminating contaminants, reducing air and water pollution, allowing for the recovery of naturally resilient landscape and recovering biodiversity.

The establishment of self-sustaining healthy ecosystems without the release of contaminants is required when considering mining restoration. However, it can take more than 100 years to recover durable resilient natural ecosystems with traditional reclamation and rehabilitation technique currently used in the mining context.

the solUtion

On mining sites without contaminant issues, they focus on accelerating the natural processes of ecosystem restoration and recovery. Firstly, an ecological, climatic, and edaphic study of the mined areas versus the nearby natural ecosystems is carried out. Then, based on this study, a low-cost ecological restoration strategy, using the fewest possible number of inputs and least possible amount of site preparation, is developed, and implemented with their own technologies. This enables direct reforestation and vegetation of mine waste in a

Before: 1. Open pit under mining; 2. Waste rock dumps; 3. Tailings ponds; and 4. Mining infrastructure.

During: 1. Open pit under mining; 2. Progressive restoration of waste rock piles; 3. Trials to optimize and adapt technologies to site conditions; 4. Containment of residues; 5. Local production of green inputs for restoration purposes; 6. Phyto-Bio-Filters for the control of effluents; and 7. Industrial ecology: Valuation and reuse of residual materials.

After: Restored, sustainable, resilient, and healthy ecosystems.

sustainable way, which leads to rapid reconstruction of ecosystems of origin. Whenever possible, they also work to transform the cost of restoration into an investment that brings money to clients.

On contaminant-releasing mining sites, Viridis Terra uses ecological engineering technologies to sustainably confine the pollutants and remediate and ecologically restore the sites. Here, the term ‘ecoengineering technologies’ refers to a mix of complementary engineering technologies and phytobial technologies.

Engineering technologies such as the use of physical structures like geomembranes and covers with capillary barrier effects, and the use of flooding, are very effective in confining the contaminants in the short term but have a particular lifespan and lose resistance and efficiency when they age. Furthermore, these technologies often still release some contaminants into the environment through leaks. Phytobial technologies, which are based on specific plant-microbe-soil triads, have lower remediation effectiveness in the short term but increase in efficiency with time.

the CaMpbell site pRojeCt –ChiboUgaMaU, QUebeC

OUR SOLUTION : ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION

Mine restoration is an effective means for supporting sustainable development approaches for mining operations, as well as for maintaining the social license to operate. On contaminant-releasing mining sites, Viridis Terra International advocates the use of innovative ecological engineering technologies to sustainably confine the pollutants, remediate and ecologically restore the sites.

www.viridisterra.com info@viridisterra.com 819.732.2571

2327, Boulevard Du Versant Nord #215.3, Québec, QC, Canada G1N 4C2

Situated just a few kilometres south of Chibougamau city, the Campbell site is an abandoned operation mining site now under the responsibility of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Quebec. Viridis Terra started working on this project back in 2019 and it became a great experimental field. They encountered five types of terrain with issues: the fine tailings pond with high concentrations of arsenic, the surface covered by the overburden, the sand pit, the acid sand characterized by a low PH, and the pile of barren rock. On the fine tailings pond, soil analyses revealed high concentrations of heavy metals and very low soil PHs. The arsenic concentration was 1340 ppm, which is five times higher than the toxicity limit.

The mining industry needed a better personnel carrier.

CMI professionals came up with a tailored solution!

in spring 2019, five experimental devices were set up, hydroseeded and cuttings were implanted. They aim to compare the different treatments of our sYLVeNTM technology to determine which is best suited to each of the sites. Now, two years later, it possible to observe the benefits of watering the first year on the results after two growing seasons. The results demonstrate the benefits of thicker organic matter and fast-growing potential. A contaminated site is now producing life! CMI-EV 1700 Battery Powered Mancarrier + innovation + performance

TEL | (306) 975 - 1944 web | cmisk.ca

CMI designs, builds, and integrates mining and industrial solutions that can maximize the productivity and profitability of your company. + integrity + expertise

• 48 Volt Lithium Ion Battery System A/C Drive Motor • On-Board Multi-Voltage Charging System (110V-230V) • Zero Maintenance Self-Protecting Battery Management System • 5 Year Battery Warranty (3 Year Unlimited Replacement) • Regenerative Braking System + Opportunity Charging • Mine Proven Chassis & Drive Train • Certified Modular R.O.P.S. System • 100% Electrical Disconnect with Master Switch • Additional Safety Options Available Upon Request • Customized drive profile to meet customers unique requirements The mining industry needed a better personnel carrier.

CMI professionals came up with a tailored solution! CMI designs, builds, and Our give expertise, years of experience and process us a unique perspective of our customers’ es integrates mining and industrial requirements. solutions that can maximize the CMI delivers tailored solutions by asking the right productivity and profitability of questions and understanding the individual needs your company. of our customers.

CMI-EV 1700 Battery Powered Mancarrier • 48 Volt Lithium Ion Battery System A/C Drive Motor • On-Board Multi-Voltage Charging System (110V-230V) • Zero Maintenance Self-Protecting Battery Management System • 5 Year Battery Warranty (3 Year Unlimited Replacement) • Regenerative Braking System + Opportunity Charging • Mine Proven Chassis & Drive Train • Certified Modular R.O.P.S. System • 100% Electrical Disconnect with Master Switch • Additional Safety Options Available Upon Request • Customized drive profile to meet customers unique requirements Our expertise, years of experience and processes give us a unique perspective of our customers’ requirements. CMI delivers tailored solutions by asking the right questions and understanding the individual needs of our customers.

306-975-1944 www.cmisk.ca

+ innovation + performance + integrity + expertise