A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

Water Management
Central to a mine closure plan is the development of a progressive rehabilitation plan
which ensures:
the post-mined landscape is safe and is stable from
physical, geochemical and ecological perspectives.
the agreed sustainable post-mining land use is established and clearly
defined to the satisfaction of the community and government.
success criteria are agreed with relevant stakeholders,
monitored and reported to stakeholders.
the quality of the surrounding water resources is protected
During the closure process of the New Wallsend coal mine near Newcastle, NSW, one
of the major technical challenges requiring the application of innovative techniques
including the re-establishment of a 500-metre section of Maryland Creek. The creek
was originally piped through the site for the purpose of providing for additional
coal stockpiling facilities. The project represented a change to the traditional creek
construction/diversion works widely used by the mining industry. The design was
developed in consultation with relevant regulatory and relies on the replication
of natural processes to ensure long-term stability. To date, it has been found that
the riparian vegetation has become self-regenerating and negligible care and
maintenance works (erosion repair) has been post closure (see LP Water p.76).
Figure 5.38 – Re-establishment of Maryland Creek, New Wallsend mine
A GUIDE TO LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MINING 175