A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining
A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining
A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
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