Determining the rehabilitation success of the old tailings storage facility of Navachab Gold Mine, Karibib, Namibia

Authors: Rentel, U; Rentel, M Paper is not available for download Contact Us

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/908_6

Cite As:
Rentel, U & Rentel, M 2009, 'Determining the rehabilitation success of the old tailings storage facility of Navachab Gold Mine, Karibib, Namibia', in AB Fourie & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2009: Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 109-121, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/908_6



Abstract:
Biodiversity and ecosystems are negatively affected by mining. Restoration is an important practice that can facilitate the rehabilitation of an area when mining has ceased. This ensures that the ecosystem is restored to the best capability as before transformation. The purpose of the study was to determine whether rehabilitation on an old tailing storage facility (TSF), Navachab Gold Mine, Karibib, Namibia, was successful. This is important as it will provide an indication if more rehabilitation is still required. Four different sites: one year (rehabilitated 2007); three years (rehabilitated 2005); five years (rehabilitated 2003); and an undisturbed reference site were selected on the old TSF. Twelve 5 × 5 m quadrants (three on each of the four sites) were randomly distributed on the different sites. On these sites all fauna and flora species were recorded using various techniques during December 2008 and January 2009. The results show that a great diversity of plants, insects and larger mammals can be found on the old TSF, indicating a stable environment. Unfortunately, many species only occur on one of the sites and not on all sites, especially in terms of plants and insects. It is thus recommended that rehabilitation should continue and that more plant species should be planted to increase the presence of endemic species on the old TSF.

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