MIKE GILBERT

Department of Mines and Energy, Mareeba, Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Minesites in Australia are often developed on pastoral or cropping properties. Therefore, there is a requirement to return the mined land to a land use capability similar to that existing prior to mining. Unless the topsoil is returned to the area, the revegetation will encounter harsh soil and moisture conditions that will test the longer-term stability of the vegetation and the final land use. This paper discusses some of the issues involved and points to the principles that can be adopted from the vast pool of agronomic research that has been accumulated in the Australian tropics.