Assessing the influence of variable batter gradients on long-term erosional stability of rehabilitated mine landforms: application of MINErosion 3 as a design tool

Authors: Khalifa, A; So, HB

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DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_51

Cite As:
Khalifa, A & So, HB 2026, 'Assessing the influence of variable batter gradients on long-term erosional stability of rehabilitated mine landforms: application of MINErosion 3 as a design tool', 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. 1-10, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2615_51

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Abstract:
Mine closure projects frequently require verification that reconstructed landforms will achieve long-term erosional stability under defined slope constraints and cover-system configurations. A recurrent engineering and regulatory question concern the implications of modifying batter gradients (e.g. from 16.7% to 20% or 25%) on both erosional response and hydrological performance, particularly where alternative cover materials and depths are proposed. This paper reviews modelling approaches available for assessing slope-gradient sensitivity in post-mining landscapes, including RUSLE, WEPP and Landscape Evolution Models (LEMs), and identifies their respective strengths and limitations for design optimisation. The MINErosion 3 hillslope erosion model is then presented as a practical and scientifically validated tool for assessing the effect of slope gradient, slope length and vegetation cover on both annual and event-based erosion rates. Drawing upon the original development and validation documented in Khalifa (2010) and So et al. (2018), this paper demonstrates how MINErosion 3 can be utilised iteratively as a design-support tool to evaluate alternative batter geometries and cover systems, thereby informing Environmental Authority amendments and Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (PRCP) updates.

Keywords: soil erosion, modelling, WEPP, MINErosion, rehabilitation, open cut, mining

References:
Department of Environment and Science 2023, Guideline: Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plans (PRC Plans), Queensland Government.
Flanagan, DC, Gilley, JE & Franti, TG 2007, ‘Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP): development history, model capabilities, and future enhancements’, Transactions of the ASABE, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 1603–1612.
Khalifa, AM 2010, MINErosion 4: A User-Friendly Catchment/Landscape Erosion Prediction Model for Post Mining Sites in Central Queensland, PhD thesis, Griffith University,
Renard, KG 1997, Predicting Soil Erosion by Water: A Guide to Conservation Planning with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), United States Government Printing.
Sheridan, GJ, So, HB, Loch, RJ, Pocknee, C & Walker, CM 2000, ‘Use of laboratory-scale rill and interrill erodibility measurements for the prediction of hillslope-scale erosion on rehabilitated coal mine soils and overburdens’, Australian Journal of Soil Research, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 285–297,
So, HB, Khalifa, AM, Yu, B, Caroll, C, Burger, P & Mulligan, D 2018, ‘MINErosion 3: Using measurements on a tilting flume-rainfall simulator facility to predict erosion rates from post-mining landscapes in Central Queensland, Australia’, PLoS One, vol. 13, no. 3, e0194230–e0194230,
Willgoose, G, Bras, RL & Rodriguez-Iturbe, I 1991, ‘A coupled channel network growth and hillslope erosion model: 1. Theory’, Water Resources Research, vol. 27, no. 7, pp. 1671–1684.




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