Erosion Control In Mining
What is erosion?
Erosion is the process that results in the wearing down of land due to environmental forces such as wind or water. This process is most well-known for creating canyons or rivers over centuries. In mining, we must focus on the shorter-term erosion impact on topsoil. Any land area with no vegetation cover is at high risk for wind or rain to strip the exposed topsoil and carry it away.
How does erosion impact the local environment?
When considering erosion control, the first thing to look at is how erosion impacts the local environment and what needs to be addressed. Erosion run-off carries the topsoil and potentially other hazards away from the original location. This run-off often ends up in creeks and streams and can harm the existing ecosystem within the local waterways. In mining, we must be aware of “dirty soil” being transported out of allocated, controlled spaces. Soil contaminated with heavy metals or other chemicals used in mining being transported into waterways can have detrimental effects reaching far further than expected. Once contaminated materials are in a waterway, they can travel the entire system.
Uncontaminated soil should also be handled carefully to ensure it doesn’t create hazards or impact the local environment. Topsoil and other detritus that is washed into waterways can cause blockages to the point that it’s even possible to change the path of a creek or stream. Additionally, the loss of topsoil creates challenges when it comes time to revegetate affected areas. The loss of nutrients and organisms usually found in topsoil will hinder any plant growth and create more costs to encourage plant growth.
While not impacting the local environment, the potential hazards that erosion can create are also something to be considered. Erosion can wash detritus onto roadways or workspaces and is a potential safety hazard that needs to be recognised when planning erosion control.
How to minimise erosion?
There are many options for erosion control, and the technology continues to improve. The solution that first best depends on many variables. Whether you need a long- or short-term solution, the gradient of the slop, any accessibility challenges, and potential traffic are all things to consider when choosing your solution. Below we explore some possible solutions that fit different requirements.
Erosion control blankets are traditionally biodegradable, open-weave blankets that provide temporary protection from wind and rain. They’re also often used to protect and encourage revegetation during the early stages of the process. Erosion control blankets have been a solution for a long time and seem relatively simple. However, technology has come a long way in this simple solution. Some companies have recently developed erosion control blankets that can be applied hydraulically. Hydraulic application effectively eliminates some of the biggest challenges faced when applying more traditional products. People no longer need to traverse the terrain; Rather, the application directly from a specialised hydroRig. This process can be applied up to 10 times faster than traditional erosion control blankets and can be applied to near-vertical walls. Technology has also made strides in durability thanks to the hydraulic process. Some products, such as EcoArmour, can last up to 20 years due to the flexible membrane, which eliminates the risk of cracking.
With the advances in technology, hydraulicly applied erosion control blankets have become one of the best all-round solutions for erosion control. However, for areas no longer being used commercially, revegetation is a solution that should be considered.
When considering the environmental impact of mine sites and erosion, revegetation brings several long-term advantages. Revegetation begins revitalising the local ecosystems and is often necessary to kickstart the nature reclaiming process. But it provides more benefits than just that, and the vegetative cover is an excellent source of erosion control. The root systems secure the soil minimising topsoil run-off while additionally minimising water run-off by absorbing much of it. Studies have shown that adequate vegetive cover can prevent as much as 95% of rain run-off, drastically reducing erosion. The leaf and grass growth provides another layer of protection against soil against wind and rainfall impact, further lowering erosion risk.
Once more, technology has seen significant advances in revegetation techniques. Hydraulicly applied systems such as Hydromulch eliminate many challenges faced when planning a revegetation project. The advantages mentioned earlier regarding the erosion control blankets also apply to Hydromulch. Accessibility challenges are minimised or eliminated, and the application speed is improved drastically, raising any hydraulically applied products to a level above their competition.
For any erosion control project, it’s best to speak to an expert. Spray Grass Australia is a leading Australian expert for erosion control and revegetation projects specialising in the unique challenges of mining or building sites. Contact Spray Grass Australia for your next project and find out how they can help.