Reefton mine moves into closure
OceanaGold recently announced that the Globe Progress open pit mine near Reefton in the South Island of New Zealand would be closing. The site has been in Care and Maintenance in 2016 after producing just over NZ$1 billion dollars-worth of gold during its 10-year life.
Modern gold mines start thinking about closure even before they open. Duncan Ross is part of the team that is closing the mine site. He says that trial planting of potential cover species began before the first ore was mined.
'We began planting trials right at the beginning. This has provided us with baseline data and practical experience, and the ability to establish significant concurrent rehabilitation programmes over the life of the mine. Now that we are moving into closure, those programmes will be extended using the experience we have gained.'
Duncan points to the size of beech trees which were planted ten years ago, as an example of how successful the programme has been to date.
“There is a lot that won't grow here, high up in the hills behind Reefton, but there is also a lot that will. We have a credible track record of establishing nursery-grown pioneer species that will quickly allow canopy closure which provides the opportunity for natural regeneration of under storey species. It also allows the larger species, such as Rimu, to come through.”
Several trials with landform contours, topsoil and various ground cover options have produced results that are indistinguishable from natural landforms and flora to those who are not familiar with the area. Duncan says that the contractors who have been working on the site have taken personal pride in the results they have produced.
The Reefton mine operated in the Victoria State Forest Park on land administered by the New Zealand Department of Conservation. Once closure and all associated rehabilitation programmes are complete the site will be returned to the department and once again become part of the forest park.
Modern gold mines start thinking about closure even before they open. Duncan Ross is part of the team that is closing the mine site. He says that trial planting of potential cover species began before the first ore was mined.
'We began planting trials right at the beginning. This has provided us with baseline data and practical experience, and the ability to establish significant concurrent rehabilitation programmes over the life of the mine. Now that we are moving into closure, those programmes will be extended using the experience we have gained.'
Duncan points to the size of beech trees which were planted ten years ago, as an example of how successful the programme has been to date.
“There is a lot that won't grow here, high up in the hills behind Reefton, but there is also a lot that will. We have a credible track record of establishing nursery-grown pioneer species that will quickly allow canopy closure which provides the opportunity for natural regeneration of under storey species. It also allows the larger species, such as Rimu, to come through.”
Several trials with landform contours, topsoil and various ground cover options have produced results that are indistinguishable from natural landforms and flora to those who are not familiar with the area. Duncan says that the contractors who have been working on the site have taken personal pride in the results they have produced.
The Reefton mine operated in the Victoria State Forest Park on land administered by the New Zealand Department of Conservation. Once closure and all associated rehabilitation programmes are complete the site will be returned to the department and once again become part of the forest park.