RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

1) Rehabilitation of Limestone Hill Quarry.

Project Objective:

1. Identify suitable tolerant plant species for rehabilitation of limestone hill quarry.
2. Develop appropriate rehabilitation technique for the chosen plant species.
3. Establish guidelines for rehabilitation of limestone quarry.

Result and Expected Benefits from the Project:

Rehabilitation of limestone hill quarry area that is in operation and that is to be abandoned is part of the operation management program of a quarry. Results from this research project are to assist limestone quarry operators to rehabilitate their quarries with suitable tolerant plant species. Benefits from rehabilitation of a limestone hill quarry are:

1. Reduce dust, noise, accident due to fly rocks, and increase the esthetic value of the quarry area.
2. Provide conducive working environment.
3. Accelerate plant colonization at the limestone hill quarry.
4. Restore quarry area to its original state.
5. Establish plant-soil system that could self maintain soil fertility to reduce planting management cost.
6. Establishment of ecological environment that stimulate colonization of wild life for natural plant propagation. At the same time this will increase the biodiversity of the system.

Planting of Ficus benjamina at the slope of an abandoned limestone hill quarry (left) and Monitoring of growth, weeding, and fertilization of Ficus microcarpa “Golden” on a bench of an abandoned limestone hill quarry (right).

2) Classification of ex-mining ponds.

The objective of this pilot study is to classify ex-mining pond based on their physical and chemical characteristics. It is expected that the outcome from this research will lead to the proper processes of reclamation and rehabilitation of the existing mining ponds, which will enhanced various socio-economic developments activities in a more proper and systematic approached. The selected site for this study is within Kampar and Malim Nawar area, covering about 400 Km square. 90 water samples have been taken from 56 ponds within this area. These samples are undergoing various tests which were specified according to EIA 1974.

Map showing an area under pilot study project (left) and Aerial photography showing Mineral Testing Centre (SUGA), located within pilot study area (right).

Preparation at site for water sampling and in-situ water quality measurement (top) and water quality testing in laboratory (below).

Some characteristic of ex-mining pond (top) and a typical major uses of ex-mining ponds for fish farming (below).

Some existing ecosystem on ex-mining pond.