RT Journal Article
T1 Geomorphic-based mine rehabilitation coupled with AMD chemical stabilisation in sulphide-rich ore deposits and soils: insights from a pioneering intervention at the Lousal mine, Iberian pyrite Belt
A1 Sánchez Donoso, Ramón
A1 Martins, Mónica
A1 Tejedor Palomino, María
A1 Esbrí Víctor, José María
A1 Lillo Ramos, Francisco Javier
A1 Pereira, Ana Margarida
A1 Pinto, Álvaro Manuel
A1 Relvas, Jorge Manuel
A1 Martín Duque, José Francisco
AB The Lousal mine rehabilitation project proactively planned strategic milestones around key local geomorphic landforms and geochemical characteristics. GeoFluv™ method was used to design a rehabilitation topography mimicking natural landforms, on which a built-up soil cover with chemical buffering capabilities and open limestone channels were implemented across the intervention areas. Once these landform restoration works were completed, positive effects are observed in March 2022, with the native vegetation cover (the third main component of the restoration plan) established in most of the recovered area and a visible water quality improvement to the AMD treatment system water. Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) concentrations have reduced significantly after the reclamation actions, especially Fe (404 to 34 mg L−1), Zn (65.7 to 15.8 mg L−1) and Cd (122 to 0.8 µg L−1) concentrations. Minor problems detected have been processes of rill erosion associated with the inflow of adjacent watersheds, and the creation of ephemeral reducing conditions resulting from the leaching of the organic amendment of the topsoil. The Lousal mine reclamation project is the first built example in Europe where the concept of geomorphic reclamation has been combined with geochemical remediation in an area with intense acid mine drainage formation. Detailed monitoring of this project’s restorative progression throughout 2024 and beyond, should offer learning opportunities and innovations which will benefit future rehabilitation projects, with comparable underlying features.
PB Taylor and Francis
SN 1748-0930
YR 2023
FD 2023
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/101334
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/101334
LA eng
NO Sánchez Donoso, Ramón, et al. «Geomorphic-Based Mine Rehabilitation Coupled with AMD Chemical Stabilisation in Sulphide-Rich Ore Deposits and Soils: Insights from a Pioneering Intervention at the Lousal Mine, Iberian Pyrite Belt». International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, vol. 38, n.o 1, enero de 2024, pp. 79-97. https://doi.org/10.1080/17480930.2023.2247698.
NO European Commission
NO Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portugal)
NO Comunidad de Madrid
DS Docta Complutense
RD 10 abr 2025