MAJESTYK Reclama is a 503C corporation affiliated with MAJESTYK Mining LLC. MAJESTYK Reclama performs the restoration of the land after the heavy metals, oxides, sulfides and other potentially hazardous materials are removed from MAJESTYK Mining and other mining sites that MAJESTYK deems suitable for restoration and in the interest of the general public to renew and revitalize.
Some present and past mining techniques, left a blight upon the Arizona landscape. Large sections of ore mining dump and tailings from sluicing was piled or dumped in areas where the rocks and sands just sat. Little or nothing will grow in these areas as there is no soil for plants to cling to and water simply runs off these areas. Further, the rocks and sediments contain oxides, sulfides and heavy metals of all types. As the water runs off of these areas they carry constituent particles of the oxides, sulfides and heavy metals. Some mining areas, heavily mined from 1860’s to 1940’s have unpotable water in the aquifers and groundwater as a result. This furthers the desertification of the Arizona landscape as it poisons the flora and fauna. Rendering water unusable for even humans.
The land can heal itself, if given a chance. Removing the oxides, sulfides and heavy metals is the first step. Arresting the leeching of harmful elements into the groundwater and creating a pH balanced area where soils can be retained for plant life.
The technique known as terracing using permaculture creates swales, which are long, narrow, usually shallow troughs between ridges (called berms) running parallel to the contour of the land and hills which swales are situated on. These contours are 20-25 feet wide and rise 3 to 7 feet in height, similar to a fish hook shape laying at a 45° angle from horizontal. The ground rock is used with other crushed rock to form an area which water runoff from above altitudes can collect and fill the swale.
The swale is also filled with organic material that absorbs water; such as logs, branches, twigs, mulch and compost. Then the last top foot to 18 inches is filled with other organics such as peat, mosses, peelings, leaves, shells and shavings. As this organic material decays, mycelium from fungus penetrates all layers and begins to extract usable nutrients. Worms, sow bugs, pill bugs and other insects and beetles work the material into a usable soil within months. A small layer of topsoil and groundcover is added to provide protection to the animals creating the soil.
Ideally, the swales are created just before the monsoons in Arizona. This affords the soaking of the material and aids in decomposition of organics. As the swales fill they soak up the water and prevent rapid runoff and evaporation. Arizona has only a three-month window of time when it receives most of its precipitation. But in that time, the rains bring 6 inches or more of groundwater to an area. Permaculture aids nature in that it preserves and holds the water longer allowing plants and fungi time to grow and provide shade to other plants, the ground and animals. This shade further retards the evaporation in hot months of the year and brings the ground temperature down allowing roots to establish themselves and prevent erosion.
MAJESTYK Reclama will use these permaculture techniques to restore the land to a greener state, lower the ground temperature add shade that aids growth and conservation of water. Permaculture techniques have been historically practiced in arid regions. Similar swales and berms have restored lands once believed lost to the desert in Africa and the Middle East. In the 1940’s, permaculture was practiced in Arizona and some of those swale areas still exist today with life vibrant soil, trees, bushes and grasses; even in the driest areas around Phoenix and Tucson.
Working with the Forestry Service, Bureau of Land Management and local, like-minded people, MAJESTYK will extract the oxides, sulfides and heavy metals using only water and gravity mining techniques. Excess sediments can be used to build swales and berms. Working with state and county groups, MAJESTYK Reclama can obtain organic material for use in the swales as described in terracing and permaculture techniques. Using approved plantings and seeds as prescribed by the Forestry Service and Bureau of Land Management, MAJESTYK Reclama can reclaim areas lost to bygone mining techniques and restore the Arizona landscape to a pristine and ecologically sound state.