Abstract

This study was carried out to characterize the overburden materials and soil properties of artisanal mining at Sekotong, West Lombok, Indonesia to suggest an appropriate rehabilitation technology.  The results of the study showed that the properties of overburden materials from Sekotong artisanal mining has a relative neutral acidity (pH about 6.4), however, with time together with the formation of sulfate compounds, such as Cu-sulfate, the pH decrease to more acid condition. The overburden materials have a low water holding capacity, low in N, P and K, but  rich in Ca, Mg. Landform of the area varies from undulating to hilly with land slope of 30 to 45%, and the soil have a shallow effective depth with sandy clay loam to clay loam.

Key words: Artisanal mining, gold, overburden, rehabilitation, reclamation, Indonesia.