The structure and biological infrastructure of the land involved in the mining operation is reconstructed through the land rehabilitation program. This restores the ecosystem, leaving it in similar or better conditions than it was originally found. This process that opens and closes the mining cycle comprises four activities: the removal and preservation of the soil, the preparation of the land, stabilization of the soil with grass and re-plating of native species.
In the removal and preservation of the soil, this resource is kept in piles, protected with a layer of vegetation to be used later in the rehabilitation of mined areas.
The preparation of the soil includes the surface restoration of the dumping areas and backfilling of the overburden materials in straight and sloped land.
Stabilization of the soils transforms the layer of raw soil into an area suitable for the growth of plants, complying with the objective of controlling erosion. We use "buffel" grass, a quick growing variety with excellent adaptation to the guajira soil and climate, and which has provided good results for raising cattle in the region.
The objective of revegetation is to form a diverse and productive vegetation community on the stabilized soil. The intention is to use two types of vegetation: the protective native forest and wood producing forests.
Up to date 2.652 ha. of land have been incorporated in the rehabilitation process and more than one million trees have been planted corresponding to 40 native species.
Desert land rehabilitation for Puerto Bolívar differs from the Mine. However, it is for the same purpose of reproducing the vegetation native to the area and to establish living barriers against the lifting dust due to the wind.
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