Physical, chemical and root mass differences between two constructed profiles were examined after 16 years. Silty clay subsoil of 0.55 m or 0.95 m thickness was placed over a sodic sandy clay mine spoil topped by 15 cm of clay loam. At common depths below 65 cm, significantly greater 0.55 m spoil Db (ca 1.7 Mg m -3 ) occurred compared to subsoil Db (ca 1.6 Mg m-3 ) of the 0.95 m profile. Soluble Ca, Mg, and Na, SAR, EC and pH did not differ (P < 0.05) between profiles at common distances from spoil interface. A notable increase of soluble Na to (ca 11 mmol L-1 ) and SAR (10) occurred in the 15 cm directly above both spoil interfaces. Root mass, predominantly alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) and bromegrass (Bromus inermis ) did not differ between profiles. Still, the 0.55 m and 0.95 m profiles differed in agricultural capability, rated at class 4 and class 3, respectively.