REHABILITATION
Mercunda Strandline
Introduction
At the Mercunda Operations, rehabilitation is a core part of our commitment to responsible resource development and environmental stewardship. Rehabilitation activities are progressively undertaken throughout the life of the project to minimise long‑term impacts, restore disturbed areas, and support the return of sustainable land uses following exploration and mining.
Our approach focuses on reshaping landforms, managing soil resources, establishing vegetation, and monitoring outcomes to ensure rehabilitated areas are stable, safe, and capable of supporting agreed post‑mining land uses. Through careful planning, collaboration with landholders, and continuous improvement, we aim to leave a positive legacy for local communities and the environment.
Key Rehabilitation Goals:
- Create safe and stable landforms that minimise erosion and support long‑term sustainability.
- Restore soil productivity by preserving and re‑establishing suitable soil resources.
- Re‑establish native vegetation and habitat values where appropriate and practicable.
- Protect surrounding environmental values, including surface water, groundwater, and biodiversity.
- Support agreed post‑mining land uses, including grazing, conservation, or other landholder objectives.
- Monitor rehabilitation performance and implement adaptive management to achieve successful outcomes.
- Progressively rehabilitate disturbed areas wherever practical to reduce the overall footprint of operations.
Our rehabilitation program is guided by regulatory requirements, industry best practice, and a commitment to achieving sustainable environmental outcomes for future generations. The following stages outline how rehabilitation is carried out at Mercunda, from soil management through to landform reconstruction, seeding and long‑term monitoring.
Mining Operations
progressive rehabilitation
Rehabilitation Stages
STAGE 1: soil Assessment, planning and stockpile management
Before mining begins, Murray Zircon completes detailed soil mapping and establishes rehabilitation management zones. Topsoil (the nutrient‑rich upper layer), subsoil (the deeper supporting layer), and overburden are stripped — meaning carefully removed and preserved — and stored separately to maintain soil quality.
During mining, soil stockpiles are protected through height limits, hydroseeding, regular inspections and strict timing controls (e.g., no topsoil stripping on windy days). This ensures productive soil is safeguarded for future return.
STAGE 2: Landform Reconstruction (Overburden & Subsoil Return)
- Overburden — the natural material above the mineral layer — is returned first using scrapers, trucks, excavators or dozers. This work can occur day or night, year‑round.
- Subsoil is replaced next using the MZ landplane (a machine designed to evenly spread soil layers). Depending on the soil zone, 2–3 layers are returned, with each layer ripped to prevent compaction and restore natural soil structure.
Non‑sandy subsoil can be replaced outside the formal soil replacement window, allowing flexibility in scheduling. This stage re‑establishes the original landform, drainage patterns and productive root zone.
Stage 3: Topsoil REPLACEMENT (Seasonal Window)
Topsoil is returned just before seeding to minimise wind erosion and soil loss. Around 100 mm of topsoil is placed using the MZ landplane.
Topsoil and sandy subsoil can only be replaced during the rehabilitation/soil replacement window (April–July) — a period selected to reduce wind erosion risk — and confirmed each year with landholders and the Independent Field Crop Expert (IFCE).
If seeding cannot occur immediately, the surface may be hydroseeded, a spray‑on mix of water, seed and mulch, applied by contractors using landholder‑provided seed to stabilise the soil.
Stage 4: soil conditioning and surface preparation
After soil layers are replaced, additional conditioning may be required depending on ground conditions:
- Deep ripping to relieve compaction
- Rock picking
- Chisel ploughing
- Organic matter or nutrient amendments (e.g., chicken manure applied by landholders)
These steps help restore soil health, improve structure and prepare the land for successful crop establishment.
Stage 5: seeding, establishment and monitoring
Landholders complete final surface preparation (grade boarding) and undertake seeding using locally appropriate crop varieties.
Once vegetation is established, Murray Zircon continues monitoring through:
- Soil testing
- Crop performance assessments
- Erosion checks
- Routine inspections
This ensures rehabilitation objectives are met and the land returns to productive agricultural use as soon as practical.