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An evolving reclamation approach under drought conditions

British Columbia Mine Reclamation Symposium; University of British Columbia. Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering

In the arid climate of British Columbia's southern interior, mine reclamation faces significant hurdles that can be exacerbated by climate change impacts. Extreme weather events such as the 2021 heat dome and an extended drought in 2023 underscored the challenges of establishing vegetation, let alone the complex diversity of pre-mine forested ecosystems. This paper presents a case study of adaptive strategies implemented by Copper Mountain Mine, located in British Columbia's southern interior. The strategies address reclamation challenges that included difficulty establishing native species, the proliferation of invasive species, tree mortality, and pest infestations. Techniques such as concave feature creation at different scales, strategic placement of woody materials, and the re-introduction of clovers in seed blends have shown promise. A research program is underway, incorporating learnings to date, and explores different seeding rates and blends, natural succession strategies with deciduous species, amending overburden with tailings, nutrient amendments, and remote watering. Collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including mine personnel, Upper and Lower Similkameen Indian Band (USIB and LSIB) representatives, and reclamation specialists, is crucial for successful reclamation planning. Regular meetings facilitate knowledge exchange and adaptive management strategies. Ongoing monitoring provides feedback for responsive adjustments.

Text

2024-11-06

Attribution-NonCommercialNoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/89603

Unreviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/