| With diamond mining intensifying in the Canadian north, the diamond industry has the challenge to develop reclamation practices, returning the disturbance to pre-mine conditions. Waste materials produced from mining processes are low in organic matter and nutrients, coarse textured and not conducive for plant establishment. To ameliorate these conditions and facilitate vegetation establishment, five substrates, five soil amendments, six seed mixes and two seeding seasons were evaluated. Substrates included, glacial till (Till), processed kimberlite (PK), 50% PK/50% Till, 25% PK/75% Till and gravel. Amendments included topsoil, sewage sludge, fertilizer, sludge from a water treatment facility and no amendment. Seed mixes included combinations of eleven native grasses and six native forbs. Substrate properties, including texture, cation exchange capacity, nutrient availability and organic carbon were significantly improved by Till and PK combinations and amendment additions. Plant growth was significantly greater with addition of nutrient and structure improving amendments. |
