Together with geomorphic reclamation experts from around the world, Peter Wihlborg from Viscaria participated in a two- week study trip in the U.S., visiting Alaska and New Mexico, where large mining sites are implementing geomorphic design in their reclamation efforts. The team had the opportunity to learn from operational crews working on active projects and to explore former mining landscapes that have been successfully restored to nature.
Among the many locations visited was the world’s largest geomorphic reclamation site at the former La Plata Mine, as well as the active Navajo Mine in New Mexico. The group also toured sites in Alaska, gaining insights into geomorphic reclamation across diverse climate regions.
In Alaska, participants learned from the Abandoned Mines Program Manager, who has overseen the design and construction of multiple geomorphic reclamation sites. In New Mexico, Nicholas Bugosh, inventor of the GeoFluv method, shared his expertise from the 743- hectare La Plata reclamation project, part of which was designed manually before transitioning to geomorphic design software.
Throughout the trip, participants visited both completed and ongoing projects, allowing them to evaluate long- term performance and engage with site operators to discuss best practices in constructing geomorphic features. They also gained hands- on experience by collecting and developing design inputs from reference areas, deepening their understanding of geomorphic reclamation in real- world contexts.
The trip was carried out as part of the Waste2Place project, a research initiative aimed at developing geomorphic design in a Swedish context. Viscaria is participating in this project as an industry partner, meaning we are supporting the project both financially and with expertise from our own operations.
The guides:
- Matt Baida, VAST: Landscape architect and geomorphic designer specialized in Swedish/Scandinavian landscapes.
- Ramon Sanchez Donoso, VAST: Geologist and geomorphic designer.
- Jose Francisco Martin Duque: Professor at the University of Madrid.
- Nicholas Bugosh, GeoFluv: Inventor of the GeoFluv method for designing geomorphic landforms.
About Waste 2 Place
Waste2Place aims to creating long- term stable landforms to help to deliver mining- disturbed land back to nature and people through a geomorphic approach to waste rock management. This is done through 4 different work packages:
Landscape Assessment
A critical part of geomorphic design involves understanding the natural landscape and stream networks to replicate them. Traditionally, this requires fieldwork, but Sweden’s remote northern terrain makes this costly. Waste2Place will leverage advanced remote sensing and satellite technology to identify reference sites and gather landscape data. This will involve overlaying high- resolution satellite imagery onto 3D digital elevation models, offering a more efficient method of landscape analysis.
Geomorphic Waste Management
While current software helps manage mine planning and waste rock scheduling, it lacks tools for integrating large- scale geomorphic approaches. Waste2Place will assess existing software and develop strategies to incorporate geomorphic design into mining operations. A centralized database will also be created, housing data on non- ore materials, which is currently scattered, making it a novel industry resource.
Ecological Recovery
In Sweden, waste rock deposits are often covered with uniform layers of cover material. WP4 will test a more natural approach, varying soil depths to mimic real landscapes. At LKAB’s test site, vegetation monitoring will evaluate this method’s success. A web- based GIS tool will also be developed to optimize revegetation plans, combining factors like soil type and moisture to improve ecological recovery and biodiversity.
Landform Monitoring
Geomorphic remediation in Sweden has not been quantitatively studied before. WP5 will use advanced laser scanning and hydrological monitoring to assess stability and water quality across multiple sites. The project will also be the first to compare these results with a natural site, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of geomorphic reclamation efforts. The work is carried out within the strategic innovation program Swedish Mining Innovation, a joint venture by Vinnova, Formas and the Swedish Energy Agency.