The Mountain Block Revegetation Project, completed in 2020, was a challenging yet successful project undertaken by Global Soil Systems (GSS) and later acquired by B & K Revegetation & Landscaping. The project covered 40 hectares of land, with slopes that had a batter greater than 1:1 slope, with a slope length of over 300m, making the task of coverage a daunting one. However, the use of hydromulching, a rehabilitation method that involved the use of both canon and helicopter, made it possible to achieve coverage in hard to reach areas.
James Nebauer, the General Manager of Global Soil Systems, oversaw the project, with Craig Outridge as the Project Manager, Simon Freeman as the Revegetation Manager and Garry Frost as the Machine Operator, all having extensive experience in mine site rehabilitation. A range of vegetation communities, including native woodlands and pasture grass, were used to ensure a diverse and sustainable ecosystem.
GSS, founded in 1994, has a rich history of successful rehabilitation projects, having rehabilitated over 5000 hectares on mine sites throughout the Hunter Valley, Southern NSW and QLD. In 2019, GSS was acquired by B&K Revegetation & Landscaping, a leading revegetation contractor, to help grow their presence in the mining industry. B&K has 90 staff and 160 pieces of plant and machinery, making it a formidable player in the industry.
The Mountain Block Revegetation Project was a legacy project, with several failed attempts at revegetation in the past. The client, Glencore, had tasked GSS and B&K Revegetation & Landscaping to complete the project at the local mine site, Liddell Coal. The successful completion of the project is a testament to the expertise and experience of the team at GSS and B&K Revegetation & Landscaping.
Hydromulching is a rehabilitation method that involves the application of a slurry of water, mulch, and seed to the soil surface. The mixture is then spread using a canon or helicopter, providing an immediate cover of vegetation. This method provides a number of benefits over traditional seed spreading methods, including:
- Quick Establishment of Vegetation: Hydromulching provides an immediate cover of vegetation, reducing the time it takes for plants to establish, compared to traditional seed spreading methods.
- Improved Soil Erosion Control: The slurry mixture provides a protective cover over the soil, reducing the risk of soil erosion.
- Increased Germination Rates: The mixture of water, mulch, and seed provides the ideal environment for seed germination, increasing the chances of successful vegetation establishment.
- Reduced Re-vegetation Costs: Hydromulching provides a cost-effective solution for revegetation, reducing the need for ongoing maintenance and re-vegetation costs.
In conclusion, the Mountain Block Revegetation Project was a challenging but successful project that showcased the expertise and experience of the team at Global Soil Systems and B&K Revegetation & Landscaping. The use of hydromulching provided numerous benefits, making it an effective and cost-efficient solution for revegetation. The successful completion of the project highlights the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility in the mining industry and sets a positive example for future projects.
