Where we work
Quebec, Canada (Headquarters)
- Ecological restoration of waste rock piles
- Ecological restoration of mine tailings
- Ecological restoration of sand pits
- Restoration of contaminated mining sites using eco-engineering
- Creation of agroforestry assets on mining sites after exploitation
Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador, Canada
- Ecological restoration of waste rock piles
Haïti – Northeast and «Grand Sud» regions
- International Development projects
Peru
- Creation of agroforestry assets on mining sites after exploitation
- Restoration of forest and agroforest ecosystems in the Amazonian rainforest of Peru
Burkina Faso
- Creation of agroforestry assets on mining sites after exploitation
Explore a few of our projects
Mining Restoration projects
Ecological restoration of waste rock piles
Ecological restoration of iron mines
Location
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Some facts:
- Consortium of two organizations with T2 Environnement
- Five indigenous species established
- Technologies used: Rough & Loose, Tree and shrub Cutting and Seedling with special outplanting substrates adapted to site conditions, SYLVENTM technology, among others
Viridis Terra International in collaboration with T2 Environnement develops the low-cost strategy and prepares plans and specifications for the ecological restoration of iron ore mines in Labrador (Canada). Viridis Terra International also provides advices to the Université Laval and McGill University on a R&D project related to the isolation, identification and selection of root vegetable symbionts to improve the rehabilitation of arctic and alpine tundra habitats in Canada affected by mining activities.
Restoration and direct reforestation of gold mines
Location
Quebec, Canada
Some facts:
- Four indigenous species established
- Technologies used: trees and shrubs with special outplanting substrates
- No organic or mineral amendment used
Viridis Terra International, through this restoration project, worked to improve techniques of direct reforestation developed during the ‘80s and ‘90s. These techniques allowed the rapid establishment and growth of seedlings in harsh environment, directly in mine waste, and the utilization of special growing substrates. For example, a mature boreal forest was established with these techniques within 35 years on a site disturbed by the construction of a hydroelectric dam in Quebec (Canada). Viridis Terra International continues to develop and improve this inexpensive technology for sustainable reforestation of mine sites.
Restoration of a graphite mine
Location
Quebec, Canada
Ecological restoration of waste rock using SYLVEN technology on a steep slope of stockpiles from a graphite mine.
Ecological restoration of mine tailings
Ecological restoration of mined waste using a new innovative technology
Location
Quebec, Canada
Some facts:
- More than ten indigenous species used
- Technologies developed: SYLVENTM, an innovative technology with pending patent for the sustainable establishment of high-density tree and shrub communities for the ecological restoration of natural forest ecosystems
- Very low input technology
The traditional techniques used to revegetate mined sites in forest ecosystems are generally not sustainable on the long term, which cause problems of environmental liabilities to mine companies. Viridis Terra International has been developing on three different mined sites in Canada a new ecological restoration technology with a pending patent called SYLVENTM for the sustainable establishment of high-density tree and shrub communities directly on mined waste without much inputs to favor the rapid return of the woody ecosystems of origin. Viridis Terra International continues to optimize this new technology which will be highly beneficial to the mining sector.
Ecological restoration of sand pits
Restoration of a gold mine
Location
Quebec, Canada
Some facts:
- Creation of favourable habitats for moose and caribou
- Creation of wetlands
- Increase in biodiversity compared to undisturbed sites
Pilot works intending to increase the hectare quality of the sites operated by the mine. By establishing a diverse flora and creating habitats for fauna, Viridis Terra International aims to ensure that the biodiversity of the restored sites is more diversified than the areas on the outskirts not affected by mining activities.
Restoration and direct reforestation of sandpits
Location
Quebec, Canada
Some facts:
- 10 indigenous species established
- Technologies used: trees and shrubs with special outplanting substrates
- No organic or mineral amendment used
Viridis Terra International realized the restoration and direct reforestation activities in sandpits in Quebec (Canada) using special outplanting substrates which allow the rapid establishment and growth of seedlings in harsh sandy environment.
Restoration of a gold mine
Location
Quebec, Canada
Some facts:
- Creation of favourable habitats for moose, caribou and goose.
- Creation of wetlands
- Increase in biodiversity compared to undisturbed sites
Pilot works intending to increase the hectare quality of the sites operated by the mine. By establishing a diverse flora and creating habitats for fauna, Viridis Terra International aims to ensure that the biodiversity of the restored sites is more diversified than the areas on the outskirts not affected by mining activities in order to have a positive impact on biodiversity.
Restoration of contaminated mining sites using eco-engineering
Restoration of a gold mine
Location
Quebec, Canada
Some facts:
- Development of an experimental device to validate the root behaviour of native boreal species vis-à-vis the membrane
- Trials including milkweed to help maintain Monarch butterfly populations
Viridis Terra International carries out research to determine the ideal type of cover for a tailing's facility containment geomembrane. Species selection will then be made to control the vegetation and ensure the succession of the forest ecosystem so that the integrity of the membrane is preserved.
Creation of agroforestry assets on mining sites after exploitation
Restoration of a gold mine
Location
Burkina Faso, Afrique
Development of a restoration plan to transform the mining liabilities of a gold mine into an agroeconomic asset as a legacy for local communities.
Some facts:
- Consultation of the communities on site
- Field sampling campaign
- Floristic inventory and analysis of the translocation of heavy metals
- Analysis of the heavy metal content of soils and foods on municipal lands
- Development of restoration scenario options and agroforestry valuation
La Pampa project
Location
Madre de Dios, Pérou
Planning of an agroforestry restoration demonstration center on 1,000 hectares of land degraded by illegal mining in the region of La Pampa, Madre de Dios, Peru, with the aim of creating alternative activities and sustainable and responsible socio-economic assets for local communities.
Vegetation of a gold and copper mine
Location
Quebec, Canada
Some facts:
- Five agronomic species established
- Technologies used: ash, wood chip, paper sludge, herbaceous plant, symbiotic microorganisms
The use of ash to structure fine tailings and plant symbiosis with a mix of oats, white clover and millet, improved plant establishment and growth to help rebuild a sustainable healthy agricultural field in the main mining basin. This technique leads to the formation of an indurated layer in soil which protects plants against heavy metal contaminants.
Forest Landscape Restoration projects
Restoration of forest and agroforest ecosystems in the Amazonian rainforest of Peru
Location
Selva central, Peru
Some facts:
- Peru has pledged through the Initiative 20x20 and the Bonn Challenge to restore 3 200 000 ha of deforested and degraded lands by 2030
- Around 3000 ha will be sustainably restored as part of the establishment of a Demonstration Center by Viridis Terra International during the project phase 1
- More than 150 landowners and tenants will directly benefit from the project phase 1
- The Demonstration Center will be used for training, capacity building as well as the mobilization of stakeholders and of local expertise, and to prepare for the large-scale Forest Landscape Restoration (IFLR) activities in the country
- The Demonstration Center will serve to train and build the capacity of hundreds to thousands of individuals in different aspects of the project
The project phase 1 of this new Forest Landscape Restoration (IFLR) business model will be implemented in the region of the Selva Central in the Amazonian rainforest of Peru. Project facilities will be established in Pucallpa (Ucayali). Potential collaboration opportunities with NGOs, concerned institutions, multilateral and local private organizations are systematically explored and developed. Engagement activities have already started with many local as well as national stakeholders.
During the project phase 1, around 2500 ha will be restored and sustainably managed at the watershed level in the region of the National Van Humboldt Forest located in the Ucayali Department and act as the main Demonstration Center. Furthermore, around 500 ha more will be restored and sustainably managed in five to six satellite centers in Loreto, San Martín, Huánuco, Pasco, Junín, and Amazonas. These regions together have a potential for restoration of more than 1 500 000 ha and were targeted as high priorities for restoration by the Peruvian government. Around 30 IFLR model systems will be established within the Demonstration Center, including agroforest, commercial forest, natural forest, and wetland ecosystems.
Viridis Terra International’s sustainable IFLR and management activities will be scaled up during phases 2 and 3 to, respectively, 15 000 ha and more than 50 000 ha across the country per year. The project will also, directly and indirectly, benefit tens of thousands of Peruvians, through the creation of hundreds of new jobs, capacity building, green economic development, new economic alternatives and improvement of living and environmental conditions.
International Development projects
KLIMA project
Location
North and Northeast region, Haiti
Some facts:
- Consortium of two organizations with Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI)
- Directly benefiting three local organizations and 223 landowners
- Training sessions on sustainable energy forest establishment and management
- Training sessions on the construction and use of eco-energetic carbonization kilns
- Training sessions on composting and management of residual organic waste
- One composting site for household organic waste with a capacity of 700 tonnes per year
- 11 improved grindstones and a brick kiln for more efficient carbonization of energy wood
- 200 ha of degraded land converted in sustainable energy forests through the plantation of fast-growing species (Leucaena, Acacia and Prosopis)
The KLIMA project (2017-2021) aims to support the efforts made to fight climate change in North and Northeast of Haiti through:
- The implementation of sustainable energy forests
- Eco-industrial composting of organic waste and
- Awareness-raising on climate change issues and adaptation measures.
Focusing on the strengthening of local capacities, the project was designed in collaboration with Haitian strategic partners to mobilize their expertise, guarantee that actions are adapted to the needs of the communities, and ensure a real local ownership of inhabitants in the fight against climate change. Implemented by the consortium, Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), and Viridis Terra International, this project combines CECI’s experience and network in Haiti with Viridis Terra International’s technical expertise. This project is made possible thanks to the financial participation of the Government of Quebec. It is supported by the Uniterra program, which receives financial support from the Government of Canada.
KLIMA Grand Sud project
Location
Departments of Grande Anse and South of Haiti
Some facts:
- Consortium of two organizations with the Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI)
- Three local organizations and around 180 beneficiary plot owners
- Training on the establishment and management of sustainable energy forests
- Training on the construction and use of energy-efficient carbonization furnaces
- Training on composting, pyrolysis and management of residual organic matter
- 4 household organic waste composting sites that can each treat 250 T of organic waste per year
- Energy-efficient pyrolyzers and carbonization ovens for sustainable bioenergy production
- 180 hectares of degraded land converted into sustainable energy forests by planting fast-growing species
- Enrichment of 135 hectares of agroforests by planting fast-growing species
- Support for local organizations in obtaining carbon credits
The KLIMA Grand Sud project, deployed from 2021 to 2024, aims to support efforts to fight climate change in southern Haiti by:
- The establishment of sustainable energy forests
- Decentralized composting and pyrolysis of organic waste.
- Raising awareness of the issues and measures for adapting to climate change.
Thanks to their collaboration within the framework of the KLIMA project, the Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) and Viridis Terra International are building on the learnings of this first project to offer solutions for the fight against climate change that are part of the local context of the southern region. Focusing above all on building local capacities, the KLIMA Grand Sud project will mobilize Haitian strategic partners to continue supporting local management of the fight against climate change. This project is being carried out thanks to the financial participation of the Government of Quebec. It is supported by the Government of Canada's Voluntary Cooperation Program (VCP), which receives financial support from the Government of Canada.