Water Harvesting Systems: A Method of Reclamation for Mine Tailings

Abstract

Introduction: Water harvesting, as used in this report, consists of artificially treating the land surface so as to make it more impermeable and thereby increase runoff from precipitation. The increased runoff can be used directly or stored and used later for beneficial purposes. With regard to reclamation of mine tailings these purposes could include growth enhancement of native/indigenous or even exotic plants. Alternate systems would be the use of the water for agriculture,industrial or domestic purposes. These uses could either be located on or off of the tailings area.