Post-Mining Land Use Strategies for WA Iron Ore Tailings
Summary: This report addressed the complex rehabilitation of iron ore tailings in Western Australia, revealing them to be alkaline, saline, and nutrient-deficient, with elevated heavy metal concentrations like manganese and nickel exceeding environmental and health-based guidelines. Utilizing comprehensive laboratory analyses, including ICP-OES and XRD, native vegetation and solar farms were identified as the most appropriate and environmentally beneficial end land uses for the semi-arid Pilbara region. This project demonstrates strong analytical, problem-solving, and recommendation development skills through its tailored management practices, contributing to viable, long-term rehabilitation strategies for the mining sector.