Extraction activities disturb the land surface through clearing of vegetation, removal of topsoil, excavation of ore and overburden and the construction of over- burden dumps or solar evaporation ponds. Removal and stockpiling of topsoil for subsequent rehabilitation is carried out at many mining opera- tions. In a number of cases, topsoil is removed and placed directly on landscaped reclaimed areas. This avoids the cost of re-transporting topsoil from stock- piles and the possible reduction of biodiversity. Moreover, close coordination and planning is required between the mining and rehabilitation operations to ensure that areas are prepared in a timely manner. The re-planting of small trees from areas to be mined and the placement of dead.
