AGE has undertaken groundwater investigations of dams, ponds and mine voids for the storage of ash, red mud, tailings, dredge spoil and saline water. Examples of typical projects are:

Ash Pond and Red Mud Dams - Gladstone, Qld

Cross-sectional and 3-D numerical flow and contaminant transport models were developed to simulate contaminant discharge from Ash Pond No 4 and Red Mud Dams Nos 1 & 2. The modelling was undertaken as an integral part of an environmental risk assessment of the dams.

Pond 6 South - Gove, Northern Territory

The Alcan bauxite mine and refinery is undergoing major expansion to increase alumina production from 2 to 3.8Mtpa. This required increased storage capacity of the Residue Disposal Area (RDA). The potential impact of the Pond 6 South of the RDA, which included a Mud Stacking Area and Decant Area, on the groundwater regime and sensitive coastal mangroves was assessed using the FEFLOW simulation package. The work was required in order to obtain regulatory approval.

Kogan Creek Power Station - Ash Disposal, Qld

Impact assessment of both out-of-pit and in-pit ash disposal for the proposed power station on the hydrogeological regime and other groundwater users to the satisfaction of the Department of Natural Resources and Water. Included recommendations for monitoring bores and a monitoring program.

Talinga CSM Gasfield - Evaporation Pond Impact Assessment, Qld

The hydrogeological regime of the Great Artesian Basin aquifers underlying the site was described and those that may be potentially impacted by saline water produced as by-product of coal seam methane production and stored in a 35ha evaporation pond, identified. A rapid risk assessment matrix was developed to assess the risk of high, medium and low cost pond construction options impacting the underlying Gubberamunda Sandstone aquifer and alluvial aquifer of the creek systems and Condamine River.

Dredge Spoil Impact Assessment / Monitoring - Bundaberg, Qld

An assessment of the impact of dredge spoil disposal ponds on the groundwater regime was undertaken at the Port of Bundaberg in support of a licence application to EPA to dispose of an additional 350,000m³ of saline spoil. Included recommendations for additional bores, a groundwater monitoring plan and "trigger" levels for remedial or corrective action.  

Yabulu Nickel Refinery - Townsville, Qld

Groundwater modelling was undertaken as part of an environmental assessment of the impact of the refinery and associated tailings dams on the buffer zone between the refinery and the coast. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of hydrological changes to drainage and tidal flows.  

Kidston Gold Mine - Tailings Dam Rehabilitation, Qld

Development of a numerical groundwater model of the 310ha tailings dam and surrounding area to assess the existing water balance of the dam, and to undertake predictive modelling of the impact of various re-vegetation regimes. Involved piezocone testing, installation of standpipe piezometers, continuous tube sampling to assess stratification and to obtain samples for geochemical analysis. An assessment was also undertaken of the geochemistry of the tailings and of potential water quality and leachate generation and the impact of the dam on the groundwater regime.