Effects of post-mining land reclamation on heavy metal distribution in South Tapanuli, Indonesia
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Abstract. Anwar S, Mansor AB, Haris H, Dharsono M, Lubis A. 2025. Effects of post-mining land reclamation on heavy metal distribution in South Tapanuli, Indonesia. Asian J For 9: 410-417. Ecological restoration plays a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of gold mining on soil quality and ecosystem stability. This study evaluated the long-term dynamics of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) in post-mining reclaimed land at the Martabe Gold Mine in Indonesia. Soil samples (0-20 cm) were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and the data were assessed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The results revealed temporal fluctuations in heavy metal concentrations, with initial increases during the early restoration stages and consistent declines by 2024. These declines were influenced by the development of vegetation, particularly fast-growing species such as Falcataria falcata, Samanea saman and Gmelina arborea, as well as microclimatic improvements that enhanced soil redox balance, organic matter accumulation, and pH stabilization. The PCA results showed that the first two components explained 58% of the variation in heavy metals, with Fe, Cu, and Zn clustering and Mn forming a distinct axis, reflecting differences in metal behavior under changing soil conditions. Sites with high Fe-Cu-Zn levels (ZD and BD) indicated less effective reclamation, whereas others (HD, EM, and LD3) displayed balanced metal levels consistent with successful restoration. This six-year monitoring highlights the novelty of assessing tropical post-mining reclamation over an extended timescale, linking vegetation recovery and microclimatic changes to heavy metal reduction, and offers practical implications for forestry-based reclamation and sustainable land management.
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