Rehabilitation project advances

Progress on the seeding phase of  Kangra’s Block C Rehabilitation project.

Kangra's Block C rehabilitation project is making strides, bringing restoration to a former opencast mining area. This initiative is an important part of the mine’s long-term environmental strategy, focusing on establishing vegetative cover to stabilise soils, reduce erosion, and foster ecosystem recovery. 

 "The seeding phase is crucial to the broader rehabilitation timeline, as it marks the final step in mine rehabilitation to achieve pre-mining conditions,” explains Kangra’s General Manager, Paul Redelinghuys. The project employs hydroseeding, a method that sprays a mixture of seed, water, fertiliser, mulch, and soil binders onto the prepared surface. "We decided to employ this method because it provides consistent seed distribution, improves seed-to-soil contact and enhances moisture retention,” Redelinghuys adds.

 Indigenous plant species like Eragrostis and Setaria are reintroduced to ensure self-sustaining plant cover and long-term ecological recovery. Continuous monitoring and compliance audits are essential to track progress and ensure the project yields the intended outcomes. Follow-up interventions include watering, weed control, and re-seeding to maintain high germination rates and healthy plant growth.