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A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

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Watercourse diversions<br />

In order <strong>to</strong> access the m<strong>in</strong>eral resource <strong>in</strong> surface m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g operations, it is<br />

occasionally necessary <strong>in</strong> the <strong>development</strong> stage <strong>to</strong> divert a creek or river around<br />

the work<strong>in</strong>gs. Lead<strong>in</strong>g <strong>practice</strong> design of watercourse diversions will reduce time<br />

and cost associated with the approvals process. The ma<strong>in</strong> activities that must be<br />

undertaken <strong>to</strong> plan for and implement a diversion at various stages dur<strong>in</strong>g the life<br />

cycle of an operation are shown <strong>in</strong> Figure 3.5.<br />

Ensure plann<strong>in</strong>g and<br />

management between site<br />

water users and those<br />

responsible for discharge<br />

management<br />

Access experts <strong>in</strong> complex<br />

ecological and<br />

geomorphological<br />

assessments<br />

Post-m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />

& closure<br />

Ensure f<strong>in</strong>al form of diversion<br />

meets changed run-off<br />

circumstances with f<strong>in</strong>al<br />

landform and ecosystems<br />

Resource <strong>development</strong><br />

& design<br />

Establish reference conditions<br />

Moni<strong>to</strong>r basel<strong>in</strong>e &<br />

ongo<strong>in</strong>g condition<br />

M<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, m<strong>in</strong>erals<br />

process<strong>in</strong>g &<br />

ref<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />

Moni<strong>to</strong>r and ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> diversion<br />

performance & stability<br />

Figure 3.5 - Significant issues <strong>in</strong> design<strong>in</strong>g and manag<strong>in</strong>g<br />

watercourse diversion across the life of an operation<br />

Characterise relationship<br />

between watercourse<br />

and ore body<br />

Exploration<br />

Resource <strong>development</strong><br />

& design<br />

Establish diversion functional<br />

and aesthetic requirements<br />

Construct diversion<br />

Characterise relationship<br />

between watercourse<br />

and m<strong>in</strong>e plan<br />

TRUenergy Yallourn supplies 22 per cent of Vic<strong>to</strong>ria’s electricity requirements. Its<br />

current coal supplies were expected <strong>to</strong> be exhausted <strong>in</strong> 2009, and nearby Maryvale<br />

Coalfield presented the best potential future coal supply. However, the Morwell River<br />

was located between the m<strong>in</strong>e and this coal reserve. A river diversion was proposed<br />

that would lead <strong>to</strong> economic and environmental outcomes. A design team compris<strong>in</strong>g<br />

m<strong>in</strong>e planners, geotechnical experts, ecologists, embankment designers and hydraulic<br />

eng<strong>in</strong>eers was formed. It was agreed the diversion embankment could be constructed<br />

<strong>in</strong> eng<strong>in</strong>eered fill from 13 million cubic metres of overburden that needed <strong>to</strong> be stripped<br />

from the m<strong>in</strong>e, significantly reduc<strong>in</strong>g the cost of the project. The design required the<br />

creation of a 70 metre wide and a 3.5 kilometre long diversion channel on <strong>to</strong>p of an<br />

embankment that commenced at the Morwell River upstream, and connected with<br />

the Latrobe River downstream. The channel design accommodated a 1 <strong>in</strong> 10 000<br />

year probability flood and was designed <strong>to</strong> mimic the geomorphic and ecological<br />

characteristics of the natural Morwell River (see LP Water p.71).<br />

84 LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY<br />

Communicate plan and any<br />

trade-offs, compared <strong>to</strong><br />

reference conditions, <strong>to</strong><br />

community and regula<strong>to</strong>r

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