Ore refining residues are difficult substrates for revegetation because they often contain extremely low plant available levels of one or more essential elements (Hossner and Hons 1992). Organic amendments would generally be attractive additions for revegetation because residues also contain little organic matter, and organic amendments may also ameliorate elevated concentrations of salts and other elements. However organic materials are generally not available on mine sites in sufficient quantities and they are bulky handle. In the present study, the opportunities for substituting inorganic fertilisers in place of poultry manure were investigated for revegetation of three alkaline, variably saline residues: bauxite residue (mixed sand and clay fractions), bauxite residue sand, and gold refining residue from mined oxide clays
