We have had a long standing relationship with U&D Mining (Australia) Pty Ltd and on the Meteor Downs South Project since 2012. Our initial work on the central Queensland project involved a review of an existing groundwater impact assessment for the proposed open-cut coal mine.
We undertook a gap analysis of the report and highlighted to the client a significant risk in the approvals process relating to groundwater. We were then commissioned to assist with the development of robust groundwater assessment to specifically address key risks in gaining approval for a mining lease. To do this, we successfully negotiated the use of an existing numerical groundwater model for a nearby project that covered the same area. The numerical model was modified to include the Meteor Downs South Project and to explore potential groundwater impacts.
Client
U&D Mining
Project
Meteor Downs South: groundwater assessment
Sector
Mining
Services
Approvals & licensing, field services, groundwater modelling, groundwater supply
Ongoing support through monitoring and approvals
Once conditional approval of the mining lease was granted, we were engaged to support the make good agreement with a nearby stakeholder. We conducted field investigations including the design, installation and testing of a groundwater monitoring network to validate the numerical model predictions and assumptions. This resulted in the successful negotiation of the make good agreement between our client and the external stakeholder.
Separate to this work, we managed the baseline data collection for the site. We conducted routine monthly groundwater monitoring over 12 months to finalise the draft Environmental Authority conditions relating to the development of groundwater trigger levels. The baseline data collection and trigger levels were also used to support the formulation of a Groundwater Monitoring and Management Plan to satisfy state and federal approval conditions. We provided further assistance in liaising with the state and commonwealth to ensure approval of the document.
Our work for U&D Mining has continued through the approval process and we have recently been engaged to assist in securing a groundwater supply for construction purposes and early stages of mine development.
View all hydrogeological & environmental services
Our team’s expertise is in groundwater modelling, field services, approvals and licensing, water supply, contaminant investigation, expert advisory, and hydrogeochemistry. Learn more about our services by clicking the link below.