Biosolids amendment of waste rock and tailings as reclamation treatment at Highland Valley Copper

A research program was initiated at the Highland Valley Copper mine in 1996 to test the effectiveness of biosolids application as a potential reclamation treatment on different waste materials and to assess the possible benefits and deleterious effects of the application of biosolids to waste areas. The test sites were located on tailings and waste rock areas of Bethlehem property. Two different application methods were tested: topdressing with biosolids at application rates ranging from 25 to 50 dry tonnes per hectare and incorporation of biosolids at application rates ranging from 100 to 200 dry tonnes per hectare. Control treatments were included in the study design to allow for comparison of biosolids treatment with standard reclamation treatments using annual application of chemical fertilizers during the first three to four years of vegetation establishment. Sites selected for the trial locations represented challenging reclamation sites where a till capping or other soil amendment had been prescribed to improve the water holding capacity of the sites. The biosolids research program included monitoring to assess the changes to soil, ground water and vegetation chemistry, and effects on vegetation cover and biomass production on the treated sites. Chemical data will be presented to identify chemical impacts to soil, water and foliar chemistry attributable to the application of biosolids.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe