Characteristics and management of tin mine tailings in Thailand

Abstract

Summary Soil characteristics of tin mine tailings are generally low fertility and unfavourable physical conditions for supporting plant growth resulting from heavy disturbance during tin mining. Management of the tailings for further uses may be dependent upon the ownership of the tailing land. Attempts to utilize the tailings for agricultural use through experiments and trials have been made by the Tin Mine Spoil Research Station among others. These included forest tree planting, growing of agricultural crops and improvement of the soil by several methods to elevate the fertility status and create a more favourable condition for plant growth. Successful methods consist of chemical fertilizer either used directly or by mixing with manure and other materials that are likely to improve the physical properties of tailings and ameliorate toxic conditions. There is still not large-scale application of the research findings due to difficulties in initial improvement of the topographic condition of the tailings and the economic situation of the owner. Future studies on mine tailings aim at lowering the cost of reclamation by using locally available materials to improve both physical and chemical conditions through the recycling of organic wastes and to improve planting methods so as to gain more plant production.