Impacts from Topsoil Stockpile Height on Soil Geochemical Properties in Two Mining Operations in British Columbia: Implications for Restoration Practices

Abstract

Mining activities are often severely disruptive to the landscape, and a major barrier to reclamation after mining is lack of quality topsoil. This research addresses knowledge gaps in the industry by exploring the compositional nature of topsoil stockpiles and their ability to facilitate post-mining revegetation after long-term storage. To do this, we conducted an extensive profile characterization of two topsoil stockpiles at two mining operations in the interior of British Columbia, where soil geochemical properties were investigated. Both stockpiles showed reduced soil quality and significant changes compared to reference soils. Importantly, there was an accumulation of metals and a reduction in soil nutrients with increasing stockpile depth in one or both stockpiles. These results highlight the important influence of topsoil-stockpile height on soil geochemical properties, which ultimately influences the success of restoration. This research provides insights into the response of soil geochemistry across a depth gradient in severely disturbed mining soils.

Keywords

• copper-gold mine
• topsoil storage
• British Columbia
• mine restoration
• mining and sustainability