For the past several years the Department of Soil Science at
the University of British Columbia has been involved in
research related to vegetation of mine wastes. The general
objective of the research program has been to characterize
mine wastes, especially tailings, by physical, chemical,
mineralogical and biological properties. In this manner, the
research has been oriented towards understanding the inherent
properties of mine wastes so that the materials may be
transformed to a "soil" that will not only maintain vegetation
but also sustain it, without the necessity of continuous
management. During 1976-77 the Department of Soil Science,
under the auspices of the British Columbia Department of Mines
and Petroleum Resources has intensified its research on
tailings. This research activity has been oriented towards a
better understanding of the various types of tailings, their
elemental composition, the elements they release upon
weathering, growth limiting factors and vegetative success.
The ultimate aim is to develop guidelines for the
establishment of vegetation in the various biophysical regions
of the province. It was also hoped that the mining industry
would become involved in collecting the data, both
environmental and laboratory, in order for them to develop
their own expertise as well as help plan future reclamation
programs. This integration of government, university and
private sector has much to offer in terms of efficiency of
utilization of resources, training and obtaining a base-line
upon which British Columbia reclamation programs can be
patterned.Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofUnreviewedOthe
