Naturally growing flora in abandoned mine tailings susceptible of being used in reclamation, Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico/Flora que crece naturalmente en presas de jale minero abandonadas susceptibles de ser utilizadas en reclamación, Zimapan, Hidalgo, México/Flora que cresce naturalmente em diques de residuo de minerio abandonados suscetiveis de serem utilizados em reclamacao, Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico

Reclamation through planting of species resistant to mining waste has been widely used in mine tailing sites. This study took place in two mine tailings abandoned at different times and under different environmental conditions, in the San Francisco community, Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico. The concept of reclamation is the course to redirect the ecological processes of an ecosystem to its former conditions, or at least to recover its ecological functions, minimizing the adverse effects caused by surface and underground mining operations. Mine lands are reclaimed to operational condition for alternate land uses and to reduce danger to public health or safety. The objective of the present research was to identify the species of flora that grow naturally in the mine sites, susceptible of being used in a future reclamation strategy of the site. Seventy-six plant species, grouped in 28 families and 59 genera, were found. Most of these species are generalists (native and exotic) and have proven their resistance to the soil conditions, water stress and climate changes, and are widely distributed.