Sustainability
Erizon tailors the best possible solution to each site for maximum results.
More than a ‘spray and pray’ environmental solution ERIZON’S SIX-STEP PROCESS TO MINE REHABILITATION ENSURES THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO MEET REMEDIATION REQUIREMENTS.
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ine rehabilitation is a crucial issue for modern mining organisations. This entails dealing with lingering issues related to excavation, regenerating flora and making the land viable for other uses if possible. According to dust suppression and environmental expert Erizon, mining results in a major environmental impact which may affect more than the mine site’s immediate surroundings. The environment also suffers from both direct and indirect effects of mining. Some of the biggest issues caused are the loss of vegetation, biodiversity, soil and water contamination, and erosion. Mine site rehabilitation refers to the remediation of the negative effects sustained by the site and its surrounding environment during mining operations. It is often a legal requirement that mine sites must integrate environmental
and social considerations throughout all phases of production. Revegetating with healthy, sustainable plant species that support existing ecosystems is the most efficient and effective way to meet remediation requirements. Erizon’s approach to mine site rehabilitation takes into consideration the climate, the size of the site, the soil or rock condition and the chemical properties to prepare an appropriate remediation plan aimed at erosion control, dust suppression and successful revegetation of even the most damaged and degraded soils. The restoration of vegetation can reverse the adverse negative impacts caused by the clearing and disturbance. Vegetation controls erosion, reduces land degradation, stabilises batters through root reinforcement and provides a habitat for biodiversity
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and animal species. One of the keys to Erizon’s success in this field stems from its intensive hydromulching process. Erizon senior environmental advisor Phil Barnett says hydromulching is a process that uses water as a carrier to spray seed, fertiliser, tracking dye and a binder/tackifier onto the seedbed, but has the benefits of Australian-tested cellulosic growth medium mulches added to the slurry. Hydromulching also provides a temporary layer of erosion control from wind and water until vegetation germinates “The problem is that some soils are very vulnerable to erosion, particularly some of the soils that we are dealing with in mining areas that may not have much topsoil and are mostly made up of mining waste,” Barnett tells Safe to Work. “The main purpose of it is to provide
