EN
The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of reclamation activities in a tailing pond, consisting in the application of mineral (rock aggregate) and organic substances (crop willow chips, swarf) and reclamation plants such as various species of grass and their mixtures with water-absorbing geocomposites, on the selected physical and biological parameters of the sediment. The experiment was started on Konrad tailing pond in Iwiny village in Poland. The pond had been filled with post-flotation sludge from copper ore mining until 1971. Since then, no activities have been conducted there. The mine tailings with absorbent (geocomposite) were characterised by higher moisture content. Intensified CO₂ emissions were also noted, along with a noticeable reduction in the compactness of sediment in comparison to the values obtained for mine tailings without geocomposites. Various types of additives that were mixed with tailings in order to improve its disadvantageous physical and biological properties had a noticeable influence on mine tailings. The best results were obtained after using crop willow chips, which contributed to improved moisture conditions, reduced compactness, and increased amounts of emitted CO₂. Individual species of reclamation plants or their mixtures had a relatively slight influence on the analysed properties of the post-flotation sediment. Significant differences were noted only for moisture content of the tails, which was highest after the introduction of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.).