In July 2013, a crop of Triticale, a hybrid of wheat and rye, was planted on the land, the first commercial crop since theproductivity trial ended in 2007.

Now, after three years of production, hay yields are above the district average. The Coal & Allied experience has provided new knowledge on the rehabilitation of higher value agricultural land. The land will continue to be farmed and monitored and will ultimately be a valuable asset to relinquish at the end of the mine life.

Rehabilitation work at Cristal Mining’s Ginkgo minerals sands mine in south western New South Wales demonstrates the re-establishment of a semi-arid native vegetation ecosystem in an extremely challenging environment. Native flora species cover once bare soil and many native lizard and bird species have resettled in the area.

Monitoring sites measure the progress of rehabilitated areas. An innovative program to count ants, which are a key indicator of ecosystem development, has also been implemented.
Rehabilitation work at the Ginkgo mine demonstrates a commitment to the landscape and developing innovative techniques to return it to a diverse, functioning ecosystem.