Find out how mine sites are rehabilitated after mining has finished. This short video, filmed at the Gregory open-cut mine in Central Queensland, describes the steps involved in rehabilitating a site where open-cut mining has taken place. It shows how the overburden from spoil piles is contoured by bulldozers, covered in the topsoil reserved at the beginning of mining, and seeded so that grasses and trees will regenerate.

Educational value statement

• Shows how science understanding and technology can be used to balance the environmental impact of mining.
• Can be downloaded as a Flash video file.

Key learning objectives

• Students describe the processes involved in rehabilitating land after mining.
• Students give examples of how Earth’s surface changes over time as a result of human activity.
• Students explain how science understanding can influence the development of rehabilitation practices in the mining industry.

Strands

• Science Understanding: Earth and space sciences
• Science as a Human Endeavour: Uses and influence of science
• (Geographical knowledge and understanding: Environment)

Australian Curriculum content statements
Science: ACSSU075; ACSSU094; ACSHE062; ACSHE121