Mineral sands and the community

Restoring land after mineral sands mining

Mining operators must rehabilitate the land that has been mined. This is required by law.

Before mining can start, the operator must prepare a rehabilitation plan. This plan sets out:

  • what the land will look like after mining
  • how the operator will restore it
  • how the land will be made safe, stable and sustainable.

We, as the regulator, must approve the plan before mining can begin. The company must also pay a rehabilitation bond. This money is held by government and helps make sure the company completes the work.

Planning the restoration

Before work starts, experts assess the site. They look at soil, water, land stability and the local environment. This helps them understand:

  • what needs to be protected
  • whether the land can support plants
  • whether it can be used for future farming (for example, many projects run trials to test how to return soil to full productivity).

Local communities, landholders and Traditional Owners are also consulted as part of the planning process.

Restoring the land during mining

Mining companies are required to restore parts of the site as mining progresses. This is called progressive rehabilitation.

This means operators do not wait until the end of mining to begin rehabilitation. They restore areas once mining is finished in that part of the site. This helps:

  • reduce the amount of disturbed land
  • support faster recovery.

After each section is mined, workers replace the sand and soil in the correct order. We check that operators follow their rehabilitation plan during mining.

Creating stable and sustainable landscapes

Rehabilitation must make sure that the land is safe, stable and sustainable. This can include:

  • preventing erosion
  • repairing and stabilising watercourses
  • reusing topsoil to help plants grow, whether for native ecosystems or farming
  • planting vegetation suited to the local environment
  • checking plant growth, soil health and water quality over time to make sure the land is recovering.

A site is not considered closed until it meets the required standards. The rehabilitation bond is not returned until the work is complete. On private land, the landowner must also agree that rehabilitation meets the approved requirements.

What a rehabilitated mine can look like

The final use of the land depends on the agreement between the landholder and the operator. Once restored, the land might become:

  • farmland
  • bushland
  • open space for recreation
  • site for new businesses
  • native habitat that supports wildlife and improves biodiversity.

How science supports mine rehabilitation

Mine rehabilitation is guided by science, planning and long-term monitoring. This is constantly evolving.

Experts use data and research to help restore land in the best way possible. This can include improving soil with organic matter and helpful microbes, so it can hold more water and nutrients.

Over time, this work can help turn mined land into safe, stable and productive landscapes.

Page last updated: 21 May 2026