3
This involves:
• Validating the technique for moving soils and encap-
sulating the lower part of the land.
• Verifying that post-intervention contamination lev-
els in the upper part are permissible for the growth of
long-stem plants.
• Conducting pilot tests to evaluate the performance
of the encapsulated soil with vegetables and short-
stem plants.
• Assessing the resistance and durability of the geo-
membrane under the proposed conditions.
ADJUST
Based on the validation results, adjustments are made to
the intervention plan to maximize environmental and eco-
nomic benefits and ensure long-term sustainability.
This involves:
• Refining the encapsulation and soil movement pro-
cesses to optimize their effectiveness.
• Adjusting the topsoil mixtures to improve the condi-
tions of the encapsulated soil for crops.
• Refining revegetation strategies in the upper part to
ensure landscape recovery and tourist attraction.
REFLECT
In the final stage, the impact of the project on the rehabili-
tated land is assessed, considering its effectiveness for tour-
ism, agriculture, and livestock purposes. Recommendations
are also developed for future projects and public policies.
This involves:
• Measuring the environmental, social, and economic
impact of the interventions.
• Verifying the sustainability of the dual-purpose use
(hiking/tourism in the upper part and livestock/agri-
culture in the lower part).
• Documenting lessons learned and best practices
from the project.
• Proposing improvements and strategies for replicat-
ing this model in other mining-affected areas.
RESULTS
The complex socio-environmental challenges posed by min-
ing legacy sites in Cajamarca demand innovative solutions.
Using CIEMAN’s comprehensive reports on environmen-
tal remediation and regional socio- economic conditions,
this example explores a dual- purpose rehabilitation model
aimed at sustainable development.
Environmental Restoration and Monitoring
CIEMAN’s studies emphasize the persistent issue of heavy
metal contamination in former mining zones, including
elevated levels of arsenic, cadmium, and lead in both soil
and water systems (CIEMAN, 2023). Encapsulation tech-
niques are proposed to isolate contaminants in the lower
section of the terrain. This technique has been proven
effective in similar remediation efforts globally, where
impermeable geomembranes, combined with soil capping,
minimized leachate generation (UNEP, 2019 Sánchez et
al., 2015).
Practical Case
As a practical case study, the “Proyecto de Cierre de Relaves
Antiguos San Agustín” (San Agustín Tailings Closure
Project) in Hualgayoc, Cajamarca, serves as a founda-
tional example of successful land rehabilitation in min-
ing-impacted areas. Spanning over 7 hectares, the project
involved stabilizing four legacy tailings deposits that had
been impacted by acid drainage and structural failures
(Figure 2 and 3).
The CIEMAN team undertook comprehensive reme-
diation, including:
• Reconfiguring tailings geometry, moving over
95,000 m3 of material.
• Installing underground and surface drainage systems.
• Applying low-permeability seals and natural covers
to encapsulate the tailings, thereby reducing erosion,
runoff infiltration, and eliminating acid drainage
risks.
This integrated approach ensured physical, chemical,
and hydrological stability while mitigating environmental
risks. Such methodologies align closely with dual- pur-
pose rehabilitation efforts, illustrating the feasibility of
Figure 2. San Agustín Tailings Before (CIEMAN, 2023)
This involves:
• Validating the technique for moving soils and encap-
sulating the lower part of the land.
• Verifying that post-intervention contamination lev-
els in the upper part are permissible for the growth of
long-stem plants.
• Conducting pilot tests to evaluate the performance
of the encapsulated soil with vegetables and short-
stem plants.
• Assessing the resistance and durability of the geo-
membrane under the proposed conditions.
ADJUST
Based on the validation results, adjustments are made to
the intervention plan to maximize environmental and eco-
nomic benefits and ensure long-term sustainability.
This involves:
• Refining the encapsulation and soil movement pro-
cesses to optimize their effectiveness.
• Adjusting the topsoil mixtures to improve the condi-
tions of the encapsulated soil for crops.
• Refining revegetation strategies in the upper part to
ensure landscape recovery and tourist attraction.
REFLECT
In the final stage, the impact of the project on the rehabili-
tated land is assessed, considering its effectiveness for tour-
ism, agriculture, and livestock purposes. Recommendations
are also developed for future projects and public policies.
This involves:
• Measuring the environmental, social, and economic
impact of the interventions.
• Verifying the sustainability of the dual-purpose use
(hiking/tourism in the upper part and livestock/agri-
culture in the lower part).
• Documenting lessons learned and best practices
from the project.
• Proposing improvements and strategies for replicat-
ing this model in other mining-affected areas.
RESULTS
The complex socio-environmental challenges posed by min-
ing legacy sites in Cajamarca demand innovative solutions.
Using CIEMAN’s comprehensive reports on environmen-
tal remediation and regional socio- economic conditions,
this example explores a dual- purpose rehabilitation model
aimed at sustainable development.
Environmental Restoration and Monitoring
CIEMAN’s studies emphasize the persistent issue of heavy
metal contamination in former mining zones, including
elevated levels of arsenic, cadmium, and lead in both soil
and water systems (CIEMAN, 2023). Encapsulation tech-
niques are proposed to isolate contaminants in the lower
section of the terrain. This technique has been proven
effective in similar remediation efforts globally, where
impermeable geomembranes, combined with soil capping,
minimized leachate generation (UNEP, 2019 Sánchez et
al., 2015).
Practical Case
As a practical case study, the “Proyecto de Cierre de Relaves
Antiguos San Agustín” (San Agustín Tailings Closure
Project) in Hualgayoc, Cajamarca, serves as a founda-
tional example of successful land rehabilitation in min-
ing-impacted areas. Spanning over 7 hectares, the project
involved stabilizing four legacy tailings deposits that had
been impacted by acid drainage and structural failures
(Figure 2 and 3).
The CIEMAN team undertook comprehensive reme-
diation, including:
• Reconfiguring tailings geometry, moving over
95,000 m3 of material.
• Installing underground and surface drainage systems.
• Applying low-permeability seals and natural covers
to encapsulate the tailings, thereby reducing erosion,
runoff infiltration, and eliminating acid drainage
risks.
This integrated approach ensured physical, chemical,
and hydrological stability while mitigating environmental
risks. Such methodologies align closely with dual- pur-
pose rehabilitation efforts, illustrating the feasibility of
Figure 2. San Agustín Tailings Before (CIEMAN, 2023)