Active restoration of an opencast phosphate mine Elandsfontein mine is an opencast phosphate mine situated on the West Coast close to the small town of Hopefield. The mine is primarily situated on Saldanha Flats strandveld with Saldanha limestone Strandveld mosaics scattered throughout. Elandsfontein Phosphate mine is the first opportunity on the West Coast to plan an opencast mine of this magnitude with the potential to restore and re-integrate the post-mining environment into the surrounding natural system. This is the first attempt in South Africa to achieve concurrent and active restoration of an opencast mine and rehabilitate the landform, and the near and surface soils to support the original vegetative structures. More than 300 ha of vegetation will be disturbed and restored by the end of the life of mine. True restoration will be achieved with the complete replication of all abiotic, biotic and functional elements in the area, as existed before the commencement of any mining activity.
This can be achieved because the rehabilitation strategy is integrated with the mining operations. The area is systematically mined in blocks opposed to traditionally clearing of the entire mining area. Active restoration of the mine blocks are then done systematically and not only at the end of life of mine. These advantages will increase the anticipated success to a point where the outcome expected for the greater portion of the mining area will approach true restoration.
