Title: Reclamation and rehabilitation of waste dump by eco-restoration techniques at Thakurani iron ore mines in Odisha

Authors: Vibhash Ranjan; Phalguni Sen; Dheeraj Kumar; Brijbir Singh

Addresses: Thakurani Iron Ore Mines of M/s Sarda Mines (P) Limited, Soyabali, Barbil, Keonjhar, Odisha, 758035, India ' Department of Mining Engineering, Indian School of mines, Dhanbad, 826004, India ' Department of Mining Engineering, Indian School of mines, Dhanbad, 826004, India ' BSc (Agriculture)-Meerut University, Thakurani Iron Ore Mines of M/s Sarda Mines (P) Limited, Soyabali, Barbil, Keonjhar, Odisha, 758035, India

Abstract: Excavation of minerals by way of mining activities escalates generation of waste dumps in iron ore mines. For benefit of the society and generations to come, the ecological services of the denuded areas need to be established by eco-restoration technology. Based on the Miyawaki application, a field experiment was taken in the Thakurani iron ore mines in Odisha. The results obtained after 1 and 3 years were very impressive and plant biodiversity appeared to be very high when compared with the traditional reforestation techniques. The aim of Miyawaki plantation technique is 'survival at fittest' based on the area undergone such plantation have an ecology of their own. The local species are more preferable to other species because they are most likely to fit into an ecosystem and are quickly climatically adapted. The survival rate of local species has been improved from 72% to 87% when compared with traditional reforestation techniques.

Keywords: ecological restoration; local species; Miyawaki plantation method; land rehabilitation; waste dumps; land reclamation; eco-restoration; iron ore mines; Odisha; India; mining industry; plant biodiversity; ecosystems; mining waste; reforestation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2016.078372

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2016 Vol.7 No.3, pp.253 - 264

Received: 28 Jan 2016
Accepted: 12 Apr 2016
Published online: 15 Aug 2016 *

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