Geomorphic Design and Modeling for Mine Reclamation: A Case Study of the Sangan Iron Ore Mine

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Mahvash Naddaf ¹
• seyed Reza Hosseinzadeh ²
• Jose Francisco Martin Duque ³
• Mahnaz Jahadi Toroghi ⁴

¹ PhD in Geomorphology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

² Professor in Geomorphology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

³ Associate Professor in Geomorphology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

⁴ Assistant professor in Geomorphology, Payame Noor University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

10.22067/geoeh.2025.91975.1545

Abstract

Mining is a fundamental industrial activity that plays a crucial role in global economic development by supplying essential raw materials for various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and energy production. However, despite its economic benefits, mining operations inevitably result in severe environmental degradation, disrupting natural ecosystems, altering hydrological cycles, and contributing to landscape instability. Large-scale excavation, removal of overburden, and waste disposal significantly modify topography, soil structure, and water resources, often leaving behind degraded and unproductive land. The extensive environmental footprint of mining necessitates the development and implementation of effective reclamation strategies to restore the ecological and geomorphological integrity of post-mining landscapes. This study demonstrates that geomorphic reclamation, particularly through the GeoFluv method, represents a scientifically robust and ecologically viable approach to post-mining landscape restoration. By leveraging principles of natural geomorphology and hydrology, this technique offers significant improvements in landform stability, erosion control, and ecological recovery compared to traditional methods. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable mining reclamation, emphasizing the necessity of adopting science-based, landscape-oriented approaches in post-mining land management.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Mining is one of the most significant human activities, exerting profound impacts on geomorphological and environmental systems. Large-scale mining operations, in particular, result in substantial alterations to topography, increased slope instability, accelerated soil erosion, a reduction in vegetation cover, and disruptions to hydrological cycles. These changes often disturb the geomorphic and ecological equilibrium of the environment, making the restoration of mined areas essential for re-establishing environmental stability and mitigating adverse effects. In recent years, innovative geomorphic restoration technologies, based on the principles of applied geomorphology and landscape design, have emerged as effective approaches for rehabilitating degraded mining lands. These methods involve simulating natural topography, designing drainage systems that mimic pristine environments, and implementing geomorphic processes to achieve a stable, dynamic equilibrium in the region. Geomorphic restoration techniques not only reduce erosion and enhance slope stability but also facilitate the recovery of natural ecosystems, improve soil permeability, and restore the hydrological functionality of the land. The Sangan Iron Ore Mine, one of the largest mining sites in Iran and the Middle East, exemplifies a mining area that has undergone extensive geomorphological changes due to large-scale extraction activities. With its mountainous topography, semi-arid climate, and distinct geological characteristics, this mine presents various challenges for post-mining restoration. This study examines geomorphic restoration methods applied to the Sangan mine, analyzing their effects on slope stability, erosion control, surface runoff management, and ecological rehabilitation. The primary objective is to develop a scientific and practical approach to mining land restoration, emphasizing geomorphological principles to establish efficient and sustainable reclamation models for similar mining regions.
Material and Methods
The Sangan iron ore mines are considered one of the largest mining areas in Iran and the richest ore deposits in the Middle East, located in a rectangular area with a length of 22 kilometers and a width of 10 kilometers. The materials used in this study include remote sensing tools such as satellite imagery, geological maps, and a 30-meter resolution Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model, and GIS software, in addition to field surveys and GeoFluv software. GeoFluv was employed to design stable and integrated landforms. Inspired by natural fluvial and slope processes, this software facilitates the design of functional drainage networks that align with pre-mining natural hydrological patterns. The primary objective of these designs is to create topographies that not only resemble natural landforms aesthetically but also function effectively in terms of hydrological stability and efficiency.
Results and Discussion
In this study, design input parameters, including local base-level elevation, drainage density, channel lengths, and slopes, were collected from stable reference areas near the mine site. These data were integrated into GeoFluv to generate landforms tailored to the region’s topographic and hydrological conditions. The results indicated that the designs developed using this approach led to landforms with high erosion resistance and improved hydrological performance. These landforms not only blend aesthetically and ecologically with the surrounding undisturbed landscapes but also enhance land productivity and long-term stability.
Conclusion
The findings of this paper demonstrate that the geomorphic reclamation approach can serve as an effective and sustainable solution for mine restoration, particularly for open-pit mines, in Iran and beyond. This method not only mitigates the environmental impacts of mining but also contributes to the ecological and economic improvement of the region by creating stable and naturally integrated topographies. This research represents a significant step toward advancing scientific and innovative methods for mine reclamation and the reclamation of degraded lands.
 

Keywords

• Geomorphic Reclamation
• Sangan Iron Ore Mine
• GeoFluv
• Landform Design
• Ecological Restoration

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