Geomorphic landscape design integrated with progressive mine restoration in clay quarries of Catalonia

Abstract

Geomorphic-based mine restoration of clay quarries in Tortosa (Catalonia) was co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme. The landform design was made with GeoFluv-Natural Regrade. Their building was performed with existing machinery pool and operators. The main constraint was the impossibility of setback regrading of pre-existing-benched highwalls. Progressive geomorphic mine restoration neither reduced mineral production nor changed the operations. The approach has resulted in higher landscape functionality and integration. Monitoring showed localised erosion due to poorly planned discharge of road runoff and sporadic tunnel erosion. Sediment movement at the designed drainage network is similar to the local fluvial dynamics.