Chapter 22 - Stabilization of Iron Ore Mine Spoil Dump Sites With Vetiver System

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the rehabilitation of mine site spoil dump sites with vetiver system technology. The potential impact associated with unstable spoil dumps from mine operations is the focus of concern both by the mining industry, environmental legislative agencies and members of public. Thus it is essential that the postmining areas and waste land generated need to be rapidly vegetated. Vetiver system is a soil and water conservation approach promoted by the Vetiver Network International, an International nongovernmental organization. The soil from the iron ore mine wastes and spoil dumps is normally less in organic carbon content and rich toxic heavy metal particles such as—Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, etc., which makes it very much unstable and inhospitable for natural plant growth. Vetiver grass—Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty is a known plant tolerant to heavy metals. Vetiver can be used as an effective method for remediation and restoration of iron ore mine soil. The current chapter will deal with the vetiver system–based phytoremediation, previous and recent researches, role and advancement in phytostabilization and reclamation of the postmining areas in detail.