Mining & Energy

As part of expansion planning, it became apparent to this mining operation that excavation would intercept paleo-channels containing significant volumes of groundwater in the Macarthur River District. The water, which was contaminated with elevated zinc levels exceeding ANZECC discharge guidelines. Verterra was briefed to help resolve these issues with a cost-effective approach that would ensure a long-term, beneficial solution.  

Operating under a regulated Salinity Offset Scheme (SOS) to manage net salt export from their operations this client required an updated understanding of how much salt was being exported from the site - either through surface runoff or deep aquifer drainage. This was essential to ensure continued compliance with their Environmental Protection Licence (EPL) and to refine the size and scope of their Salinity Offset. 

To enable sustainable, large-scale irrigation using coal seam gas (CSG) water, this client required both rigorous technical assessment of candidate land and a well-prepared regulatory submission for a beneficial use approval. The project had to address marginal soils in a region with limited experience in intensive irrigation, while aligning with environmental safeguards and regulatory expectations. 

With planning underway for the staged development of up to 15 coal seam gas (CSG) wells in two Extended Production Test areas, the client sought an economically and environmentally sustainable option to manage the production of up to 1.8ML of highly saline and sodic CSG water per day.  

Rather than investing in expensive reverse osmosis or disposal pathways, a beneficial reuse option involving agricultural irrigation trials was proposed. To ensure success, the proposal required in-depth feasibility, design, and regulatory compliance support to assess viability and satisfy a Water Management Strategy and Environmental Authority conditions. 

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.

Pumped hydro energy storage is gaining momentum as a critical component of Australia’s renewable energy transition. While environmentally beneficial in operation, their development requires significant infrastructure—such as roads, pipelines, and reservoirs—that can impact soil health, increase erosion risk, and reduce land suitability for agriculture. This case study demonstrates how Verterra approaches risk assessment for these projects.

As wind energy projects increasingly seek locations that reduce public resistance to visual and noise impacts, forested areas have emerged as preferred sites for development. However, constructing access roads and transmission corridors through these landscapes introduces potential risks to land condition, erosion rates, and future land use, particularly for forestry and agriculture. This case study looks at how these risks can be assessed and managed effectively.

Verterra designed, undertook feasibility studies, assisted with regulatory approvals, developed a stakeholder engagement plan and project managed delivery of 1,250ha of irrigated native eucalypt forest at Fairview and Springwater near Injune on behalf of Santos.