Mined land to be rehabilitated and returned, says company

Rehabilitation of mined land will be a key part of the proposed Sigatoka Iron Sands Project, with Magma Mines Pte Limited saying it intends to return the land to its owners after mining operations end.

Company engineer Peter Hinner said at least 25 per cent of the sand extracted during processing would be returned to the mining areas, while the company would work with landowners to determine the final landform.

He said the objective was to ensure the mined areas were left in a condition agreed upon with the owners of the freehold properties.

“We flatten that area in consultation with the owners of the land, so they have a big say in how we leave that,” he said.

Mr Hinner said the company would also maintain a 30-metre setback from the high-water mark along the coast and establish protective sand berms.

The berms, estimated to be two to three metres high, would be planted with native grasses to stabilise the sand, followed by salt-resistant trees.

He said the vegetation would eventually form a windbreak along the coastline.

The proposed mining operation would initially involve six to seven years of surface mining, with a possible additional five years targeting material below the surface.

Mr Hinner presented examples of rehabilitation from mineral sands mining operations in Australia, including North Stradbroke Island and Byron Bay in New South Wales.

He said Australia's mineral sands industry had operated since 1930 and had developed established rehabilitation practices.

He also showed historical and recent photographs demonstrating how previously mined areas had been rehabilitated with native vegetation and trees.

Mr Hinner said the company intended to apply techniques developed through the international mineral sands industry to the Sigatoka operation.

The rehabilitation plan was presented during the environmental impact assessment review for the proposed Kulukulu Sands Project at Kulukulu Public School over the weekend.