This client required detailled designs for surface-water management at a mine that included three proposed water diversions. These needed to function as stable waterways that would remain in equilibrium with the surrounding landscape and avoid adverse impacts on upstream and downstream environments.

Achieving this needed more than hydraulic and landform design, it needed vegetation capabile of stabilising the diversion banks and contributing to ecological function of the waterways.

Rock mulching can help protect mine rehabilitation surfaces from erosion, but sourcing suitable quarry rock can add significant cost through additional drilling, blasting and haulage.

In 2017, this client established a 10,000 bank cubic metre trial to investigate whether rock extracted during mining could provide a practical alternative.

For pit rock to perform effectively in rehabilitation, it must remain sufficiently competent when exposed to weathering, resisting breakdown and erosion, and avoid releasing salts or other materials that could constrain vegetation establishment.

Verterra was engaged to assess the trial and determine whether the material could be a viable alternative to quarry rock.

This client wanted to move away from relying primarily on rock mulch for rehabilitation and adopt a more targeted approach based on the characteristics and risks of the materials available across the mine site.

Verterra was engaged to assess the soils and spoils and recommend amelioration treatments and seed specifications. This work led to the development of a comprehensive revegetation plan to support the mine’s Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (PRCP).

Revegetation of mine tailings often relies on a thin soil cover to support vegetation growth. However, these tailings can be chemically and physically hostile to plants—especially when the depth of the cover soil is limited due to resource constraints. Poor vegetation establishment in these areas increases erosion risk and presents ongoing environmental and regulatory challenges, so when revegetation persistently fails, an in depth investigation is required.

Engaged by Unitywater to monitor vegetation and water quality, remove tidal gates, undertake tidal monitoring, UAV footage and BioCondition monitoring for the Yandina Creek Wetlands for a three-year period.