Kleinfelder undertook a Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) in accordance with the requirements of the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure (NEPM 2013) as part of the mine closure requirements and aid the divestment of the site.

Evaluating Potential Contamination Issues 

The project site covered an area of approximately 186 hectares which had been mined for over 100 years for magnetite. The site included an open pit mine, as well as underground mining, processing and maintenance facilities, and several rehabilitated areas. Previous investigations had identified elevated hydrocarbon and metal concentrations. As part of Kleinfelder’s sampling and analysis quality plan (SAQP) development, a data gap analysis (DGA) was undertaken. Areas of uncertainty associated with the current condition and reporting of the site were identified. The resulting SAQP provided the client with a level of confidence that the DSI would collect sufficient data to achieve their objectives.

Developing a Revised Site Appraisal Efficiently 

Following our review of previous investigations and obtaining additional soil and water laboratory data, Kleinfelder revised the Conceptual Site Model (CSM). As a conservative approach, laboratory data was screened to the most sensitive land use (residential). This was considered to present the most flexible future land use that could be applied to the site without the need for additional site investigations or revised risk assessments.

Project Results 

The DSI was designed to obtain sufficient data to either provide closure to previously identified potential contamination issues or aid the development of a remediation action plan (RAP). Based on the results of the investigation and CSM prepared for the site, the potential contamination risk associated with the site was considered to be low and acceptable. The report provided by Kleinfelder was successfully used by the client to meet the lease and licenses relinquishment requirements committed to in the Mine Operations and Closure Plan.

Project Details

Location:
Central Tablelands, Australia

Owner:
Confidential Industrial Client