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Mine rehabilitation pilot

Biochar Mine Rehabilitation

Testing biochar produced from invasive alien biomass as an input for mine land rehabilitation through controlled pot trials, field trials, soil analysis, safety assessment and business-case learning.

Rehabilitation inputInvasive biomass biochar
Evidence pathwayPot and field trials
Technical collaborationWits, Mintek and BGR
Pilot overview

Testing a circular approach to mine land rehabilitation.

The pilot investigates whether biochar made from invasive alien biomass can improve selected soil properties and support mine rehabilitation objectives. Research moves from feedstock and biochar characterisation into controlled pot trials and field-based learning.

The work combines rehabilitation performance, environmental and operational safety, MRV requirements and business-case considerations so that findings remain useful to technical partners and implementation teams.

What this pilot is designed to support
Credible evidence on soil and plant performance, clear safety parameters, practical field protocols, an MRV approach and realistic learning about the conditions under which biochar could be used.
Areas of focus

Rehabilitation evidence from material to mine site.

Focus 01

Biochar characterisation

Assessing feedstock, production characteristics and material properties relevant to safe rehabilitation use.

Focus 02

Soil and plant performance

Testing soil responses, plant establishment and selected rehabilitation indicators in pot and field settings.

Focus 03

Safety and MRV

Defining environmental, handling and monitoring considerations for trial design and interpretation.

Focus 04

Business-case learning

Exploring biomass supply, processing, logistics and implementation conditions that affect feasibility.

Delivery approach

A staged research and field-learning pathway.

Phase 01

Characterise

Assess biomass, biochar and baseline soil conditions.

Phase 02

Pot trials

Test treatments under controlled conditions and refine protocols.

Phase 03

Field trials

Evaluate selected approaches under mine-site conditions.

Phase 04

Learn and assess

Integrate performance, safety, MRV and business-case findings.

Latest updates

No updates have been posted yet.

Join the project's mailing list to stay informed about pot and field trials, rehabilitation research, technical publications, field notes and events from the Biochar Mine Rehabilitation workstream.

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Outputs and learning

Evidence for technical decisions.

Pilot outputs will document methods, results and limitations as evidence becomes available and is approved.

  • Biochar and feedstock characterisation
  • Pot-trial protocols and findings
  • Field-trial methods and observations
  • Safety and handling considerations
  • Rehabilitation MRV framework
  • Business-case and implementation learning
Cross-cutting MRV

Measuring rehabilitation performance over time.

MRV connects treatment records, soil indicators, plant performance, safety observations and site conditions so that trial findings can be interpreted consistently and compared across stages.

Contact the team

Connect with the rehabilitation pilot.

For technical collaboration, mine-site engagement or research enquiries, contact the ESRMVC project team.