The mine closure-rehabilitation adjusted the slope of the land plus gave it a mixture of pasture types including rhodes grass, rye grass, green panic, kikuyu and phalaris.

With fencing and gate construction complete, the first herd, of 27 cattle, was introduced to the trial property on April 2.

“The objective of the trial will be to demonstrate that the rehabilitated mining land can be successfully grazed at a reasonable and commercial stocking rate,” rural property manager Ian Curtis said.

“There is now full cover and good bulk in the pasture, and a number of legumes have successfully established including lucerne and white clover, so we are quite positive that the land will be able to sustain cattle grazing.”

The trial will include regular counting and weigh-ins for the cattle along with soil and pasture monitoring regimes which will include looking for evidence of erosion.

“We’re at the forefront of strategies for sustainable final land use and we’re committed to the rehabilitation of mining sites with the long term in mind,” Curtis said.

“This is yet another example of Anglo American’s commitment to the environment and sustainability.”

Australia is estimated to have more than 26 million beef cattle nationwide in 2015.