From design to implementation: lessons from large-scale rehabilitation trials in Botswana

Authors: Koekemoer, L; van Wyk, G Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_129

Cite As:
Koekemoer, L & van Wyk, G 2026, 'From design to implementation: lessons from large-scale rehabilitation trials in Botswana', in AB Fourie, G Boggs, J Heyes & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2026: Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-15, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_129



Abstract:
At the 2024 Mine Closure Conference, a case study was presented on harmonising engineering and landform design to support sustainable closure at a diamond mine in Botswana. The original paper outlined a staged approach incorporating detailed material characterisation, erosion modelling, growth medium optimisation, stormwater management design and landform refinement to reduce long-term liability and align with the approved post-mining land use. Since then, the project has transitioned from concept to full-scale physical implementation under the rehabilitation trials plan. This paper provides an update on the progression from design to execution and highlights the practical realities encountered during onsite implementation, monitoring and adaptive management. Implementation has revealed challenges specific to the Botswana context that directly influence the constructability of the engineered landform design. These include constrained availability of specialised contractors and earthmoving equipment, precision requirements in stormwater paddock construction, earlystage erosion risks on reshaped slopes and the necessity for continuous technical assurance to preserve design integrity. A critical constraint identified is the limited availability of suitable indigenous rehabilitation seed. The volumes required for large-scale implementation are not commercially available within Botswana and had to be sourced from South Africa, where supply is also limited and inconsistent. This supply limitation fundamentally shifts rehabilitation strategy. Large-scale closure cannot feasibly commence only at life of asset. Instead, concurrent rehabilitation during operations is essential to define procurement requirements across all rehabilitation phases in accordance with the prescribed workflow, distribute seed demand over time, reduce closure risk exposure, enable progressive ecosystem establishment and support liability reduction. The trials further exposed a national capacity gap. Rehabilitation at this scale has not previously been undertaken in Botswana, resulting in limited local technical expertise. In response, a structured onsite training program was developed to transfer knowledge and build sustainable in-country implementation capacity. The findings demonstrate that rehabilitation implementation depends not only on robust engineering design, but equally on supply chain realism, skills development and early, concurrent execution.

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