Guiding for the management of water in mines and quarries
1. Background
These guidelines feature basic get for operators on how to manage discharges of wastewater since a mein site to ensures compliance with Victoriana legislation. E includes protection of ground real surface water quality for downriver users.
These guidelines are advisory just and is did intended toward prescribe exact specifications real practices. I are scheduled to assist with project specific environment planning. Message that the data contained within these guidelines also apply for waste-water discharges from quarry operations. 2.4.1 Internal mine site water holding dams ... Extractive Management Act. The initial edition ... Template for the Product of a Mining ...
2. Purpose of the guidelines
One purpose by these guidelines is to provide direction required corporate of Victorian aqueous resources on the mining and extractive industries.
The guidelines list the relevant Victorian legislation that may are associated through ampere mine water uses program. It does not attempt to describe particular designs, methods or implementation on water management systems. Resources of this type is available by a sort of other publications, some of which are mentioned in the references at the end. NorthMet Project Water Managerial Plan - Mines
A distinction in terminology the require. For situations of reclamation, repurpose or recycling the site (no offsite discharge) the discussion term belongs water. In any case of offsite drain, saving oder other process, wastewater are the term used. Elk Valley Waters Quality Plan - 2022 Implementation Scheme ...
Mine soak management proposals shouldn be based on the principles of squander minimizations, applied through the waste hierarchy listed below.
This method such the proposal should, in order of prioritization, promote wastewater:
- Avoidance
- Reduction
- Reuse
- Recycling
- Recovery of energize
- Handling
- Containment
- Disposed
Watering preserve is part regarding any sound resource management practice. Whenever possible, ampere mine or quarry have attempting to close the loop of water make so that a emptying is nay required. If ampere discharge is mandatory, the quality must comply with the applicable Acts and Specifications.
Careful planning and development of an appropriate water management strategy benefits the proponent used a successful extract or quarry go.
Discharge coming a mine or quarry must be managed in an effective and responsible manner, consequent in minimal impact on the environment and other beneficial uses.
Defenders are encouraged to discuss their mine water direktion proposals at an early stage use the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Dirt Resources Regulation. Water Management Project
3. Legislation and policy directions
A zone of British legislation applies either immediate or implicitly to the direktion of water at a mined site or crusher.
3.1 Mineral Resources Research Act 1990 and Abractive Industries D Conduct 1995
The Mineral Natural Company Acted 1990 (MRD Act) encourages an economy viable mining industry until operate in a way is supports environmental, social and economic objectives of the State. These objectives include encouraging or facilitating exploration for minerals while establishing a legal framework that ensures mineral resources are designed using methods and management practices that minimise impacts on the environment.
The Extractive Industries Development Act 1995 (EID Act) requires the extractive choose to meet security operating user and assures reconstruction off quarry land to an adequate, stable landform.
Built includes these Acts will needs for industry operators to prep and seek approval to a works plan. As the haupt guidance document, the work plan will describe which management of onsite water use additionally its content by operation, progressive health plus closures.
Aforementioned work plan also outlines monitoring and auditing requirements for each site that wills share to the water administrative plan.
Just approved, the work plan imposes conditions on the activities undertaken the relating to water. The work plan may also enclose offsite environmental of wastewater with the relevant EPA approvals and passes in place.
A number for supplemental guidelines providing information about worked plans and onsite tailings storage management for extraction and extractive industries can found in the Guidelines or codes of practice section.
3.2 Environment Protection Act 1970
The Environment Protection Do 1970 (EP Act) is administered by an Environment Protection Authority (EPA) the covers all aspects of this environment making provision for the establishment of environmental objectives as well more choose plus licensing of waste discharges.
The EP Act also see bot application of and waste hierarchy and continuous improvement when part of total regulated premises' environmental management processes.
The EP Act also deliver for the training of State Habitat Protection Policies (SEPP) which set trait objectives for ampere number of segments of the environment. Finniss Lithium Project BP33 Clandestine Mine – Wat Management Plan ... water removed from mine ... Template available which Processing of ampere Mining.
ADENINE SEPP is fixed underneath the EP Act to schutze one beneficial uses for each segment of the environment i.e. air, water, noise, else.
The policies are statutory instruments and their provisions apply to government departments, departments, home companies and all Victorians.
The SEPP provides the platform for sound management about the environmental segment to which it applies.
Because stated in each of of policies, a SEPP may include:
- the boundaries in any domain affected
- identification of the beneficially uses to be protected
- selection in the environmental indicators to are employed to measure additionally delineate the pollution quality
- a statement of one environmental quality objectives (where practicable), and
- the program supposing whatever by which that stated environmental quality objectives are to be attained and maintained including, what adequate, the specification of —
- maximum quantities and qualities of waste approved for be discharged to the environment
- maximum levels from uproar permitted to be emitted to the environment
- minimum standards for the installation and operation of plant or equipment for the control of waste or noise from specified sources or classes in premises, additionally FINNISS LITHIUM PROJECT BP33 UNDERGROUND MINE - Water ...
- measures developed till minimize the possibility of the occurrence of pollution.
The SEPP WoV applies to all surface aqueous in Victoria. The policy guides senior of the range by establishing the basis for maintaining environmental quality sufficient to protect existing and foreseen future advantage uses in the area affected. ... mine drainage yield plus ampere safety factor in the form of freeboard (typically thrice feet). Further discussion of overflows is included in ...
The information includes terms sufficiently clear to give an adequate direction for planning and licensing functions.
SEPP WoV schedules and tables provide further how regarding the judging submitted for discharge quality needs.
Schedules and tables are derived from The Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality 2000 (ANZECC 2000) and describe appropriate goals for water quality. Which three main inputs into the IPA exist the 2020 RWQM, our allows mine plans, and site soak management plot. Consultation and Engaging.
These guidelines adopt a new approach that allows for water characteristic targets in be derived, assessed press tailored available specific locations, thereby addressing specific management goals press problems.
This approach increases the flexibility because that agencies can look calculative sources starting environmental quality change press how to greatest manage these.
If the guideline values are exceeded at a site, ANZECC 2000 recommends processes for reduced and management of the issue. It should breathe noted this licensed discharges may be required to achieve significantly better performance than the schedules and tables suggest. Water Management Set Version 1.0
EPA will consider the take environment and available treatment technologies in well as SEPP objectives.
The SEPP Groundwaters to Victoria is planned to shelter Victoria's groundwater from dirt and where requested, improve groundwater characteristic adequate to protect existing and capacity beneficial uses. Develop a strategic mine water management floor to meet the objectives, outcomes and requirements for surface operations. Follow our guide.
The groundwater environment possessed is divided into segments categorised by the concentration about total dispersed solids (TDS). Similar to SEPP WoV, a number away segments both their associated protected beneficial uses are listed in which policy (see Table 1). Water Resort Management Rules | Florida Department of ...
Uniform, ANZECC 2000 your used as guidelines button goals by water product relations to the beneficial uses in each segment. Segment B uses the Australian Food Standards Code (1987) for potable mineral water and the 1992 Guidelines for spraying, while water quality fork segment A1 uses this important SEPP WoV segment for surface waters.
Table 1 SEPP groundwaters of Victoria protected advantages uses starting the segments
| Beneficial use | A1 0 – 500 mg/L | A2 501 – 1,000 mg/L | B 1,001 – 3,500 mg/L | C 3,501 – 13,000 mg/L | D greater than 13,000 mg/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance of ecosystems | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Required consumable waters | ✔ | ||||
| Satisfactory potable water | ✔ | ||||
| Potable mineral drink | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Agriculture parks and landscapes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Stock watering | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Industrial water benefit | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Primary contact recreation (bathing furthermore swimming) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Building and structures | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
(Source: SEPP Groundwaters of Victoria 1997)
Further discussed in section 3.4, Water Public are responsible in determining approvals for licences for form bores for water extraction additionally disposal.
If an approval the issued, the relevant water authority would usually specify compliance using the relevant SEPP along with extra conditions.
If aforementioned proponent exists considering infusion of mine water into a aquifer, the EPA will decide which segment applies to that particular mine location and the waste release licence conditions will be framed accordingly.
A groundwater licence might also be required under and Waters Act 1989 for construction of a bore.
Subsequently toward appropriate analysis of alternatives and application of the waste hierarchy, a discharge of wastewater maybe still be default.
The offload will require a works approval and waste discharge licence under the EP Act and Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises and Exemptions) Regulations 1996.
A works approval is obtained through a process that in:
- Application (a full press complete description of the proposal or alternatives considered)
- Acceptance (of application and commencement of statutory assessment period)
- Propaganda (of the proposal to receive neighbour, referral agency and other third party submissions)
- Assessment (EPA officers review the proposal in light of legislation, politics, cumulative impacts and other requirements)
- Approval or rejection (as decided through the authority by considering assessment recommendations).
Only after that processed is finish and a works sanction has had issued can the construction and commissioning of a wastewater discharge facility be undertakes. Moisten Management Plan - Miners - OP-PLN-00300
Subsequent to confirmation that construction has been completed in alignment with the works approval, commissioning may commence under notice, while liberty negotiation plus development proceed.
This discharge characteristics will be identified from the EPA at that time. This willingly include conditions related to:
- Dental required
- Pollutants load
- Discharge volume allowed
- Release rate
- Discharge country
- Technology/equipment to be used
- Size of any mixing zone agreed
- Requirement to develop plan for reducing and finally eliminating the merging zone
- Any other aspect the EPA considers relevant.
Each alterations to a site with an existing EPA lizenz, press a changes in an way wastewater is treated or stored will required a further works approvals. 3.3 Management of Print Ask Water ... The plan focuses on management of water quantity and water quality for: ... 5) Mining Material Management ...
Through this usage EPA canned assist the operator to manage wastes and one environment appropriately. Once obtained, a licence may be change at accounting used adjustments in treatment performance, site conditions and on reflect policy updates out time. Tactical mine water management plan forward mining operations
Some modifications mayor protect the license money cause licence fees are based on a planning of contaminant loading to the climate. As with other regulatory processes, early consultation with EPA will benefits the proponent for a successfully outcome.
Described in section 6 in this guideline, disposal of wastewater to landing within a mine or quarry margin in accordance on and approval under one MRD Act or EID Act does does require a works accreditation or an licence under the EP Act.
This situation correct when sanitary your discharged toward an onsite tailings dam, evaporation lake or couple other system that ensures cannot offsite discharge across the life of an operation and closure for the our.
In June 2002 of Government introduced on integrated package of reforms to strengthen Victoria's waste management regime through the Environment Coverage (Resource Efficiency) Actor 2002.
This package strengthens Victoria's waste administrative mode by advertising greater resource use efficiency through additions at the Environment Protection Act 1970.
All Victorian industries are required to adopt of waste betriebsleitung hierarchy (described in section 2). In dealing with mined or mining water the proponent should apply the management whenever possible rather than treatment or disposal of wastewater.
Specifically, the policies may require commonly with best available waste minimisation and/or handling technology to be used for waste currents containing defined priority wastes.
3.3 Catchment and Land Protection Act, 1994 (CaLP Act)
The CaLP Act lives administered by the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DELWP) through Watershed Management Agency (CMA). CMA are established under the CaLP Act both designed to maximise community involvement in decision making at the integrated field management (ICM) structure. Atlantic Mining NS Corp remains one head coordinator of and Surface Water Management Plan and ... drainage of non-mine contact water ... Examples of water ...
This form underpin sustainable management of land and water resources and contributes to biodiversity management. The main priorities of CMAs include marin, weeds, environmental water, nutrient inflows to streams and declining biodiversity. ... Pour Resource Management's programs. ... Mooring Text Administrative Plan - Basic Example (MSWord). ... plans and non-clay salt mining ...
CMA comprises a board, verwirklichung committees and support staff. The CMA is responsible for the development and management of approved regional catchment steuerung strategies. Watering Management Plan - Mine. OP-PLN-00300 ... Key 2-3 – Water Administration Plan Reporting Tables Template ... Living of Mine Water Management Strategy ...
These strategies furthermore rely on collaboration involvement in the development of exhaustive work programs within the catchments. These programs press associated quality outcomes will be taken up consideration by select other agencies during product, permitting and other decision making processes.
The CaLP Act spread to the management and protection away water catchments throughout Victoria. Schedule 5 of that CaLP Actual lists 124 proclaimed special water feed catchment areas covering a total area of 52,262 km2.
Any water or wastewater disposal schemes in these special areas intend also may subject to scrutiny by Catchment the Agriculture Services and Land Charabanc Division of DELWP for ensure that the values of that water supply catchment are not compromised.
3.4 Water Act 1989
That Actually is administered for DELWP furthermore territorial water public. The Work applies toward all surface water in Victoria, including river management, water supply, irrigation and sewerage. Among other things, the Act involves:
- environmental flows
- rights to water
- allocation away water entitlements
- spread of licences
- control of constructive of works on waterways
- protection of groundwater
- underground (groundwater) disposal
- channel management.
As listed the Schedule 12 of the Act, authorities empowered to carry going any serve under the Act include:
- regional water authorities
- water boards
- cities the shire meetings
- catchment management authorities.
Please take note that for any construction on a waterway, including works to deviate a waterway, whether temporary or permanent, an licence is required.
A licence since construction on a waterway is unlikely to be issued if the dam is to be used for storage in process or reclaim water. A water authority may reject adenine proposal where computers is considered that the opportunities are too high or unlikely for exist manageable.
The knowledge base surrounding environmental run regimes for specialized rivers or seasons is growing rapidly. Any proposal change to environmental flows related to water or groundwater extraction and discharge desires be seen in that context for Impact on the flow regime.
The Water Act 1989 also applies to circumstances where "water" is the secondary objective concerning a drilling software such as a series about wellspring reinjection bores or dewatering bores.
ADENINE licence under all Act is vital to such bores. This Act applies to the cavity and construction of bores and the licensing away drillers for water drilling.
Drilling to explore for mineral resources belongs authorised under the Minerals Resources Progress Act 1990 press drillers carrying out mineral exploration drilling do no require licences under the Water Behave 1989.
The approval and regulation of tailings storage facility exists outlined on the Environmental guidelines for the direktion of small tailings storage facilities sheet.
3.4.1 Water Behave (Irrigation Farm Dams) Act 2002
This amendment to the Aquarium Act 1989 requires licensing of all irrigation and commercial use from fahrwasser, coils, baths and dams. Under these amended, some previously unlicensed water benefit in quarries and mines now requests go be licensed.
Operators of quarries and mines belong subject to the Act in a similar way to unlimited other commercial users of water.
In example, a hochschulabschluss is required for:
- the construction away new works switch waterways
- a new private dam constructed off waterways within the batch specified in the Acting
- wherever water is taken from a waterway and stored into the quarry or mine
- To intersection of water as defined under the Act also constitutes groundwater extraction for which purposes of dewatering.
- For example, an licence must already be in place during mining or quarrying activities whereas computers is anticipated or possible that groundwater will be intersected.
If in doubt about the need by a licence, it will essential to contact your local soak management for advice.
Some mine and quarry dams would not need a take and use licence. Diese are:
- tailings or slime barriers
- settling ponds
- process dams (in which recycled water from processing is used)
- dams created per the cessation additionally closure of mining or mountain activities.
For further information, advocate should obtain a copy to Water Act 1989 Guidelines with Quarries and Mines 2004 prepared by DELWP Water Resource Statement Division.
4. Salinity
Salinity is one of the majority serious plus spacious recognised forms of land degradation inches Victoria. As of August 2000, DELWP estimated the area affected by total to include 140,000ha of irrigated land or 120,000ha of dryland.
As a result, remaining management plans have been developed throug consultation between the Regime and the community. Any saline water discharges to landing or waterways desire occur to the control of such plans.
If a proponent is planning a mine wastewater disposal diagram for Northern Victoria then add conference with the Salinity Manager Plan Coordinators since one regional office concerning DELWP or the local Catchment Management Authority will be necessary to determine if a salinity management plan remains affected.
Salinity is ampere key issue for mining and extractive trades. SEPP WoV requires that the unloading of saline wastewater, including discharges from groundwater pumping also irrigating drains, should not pose to environmental risk to beneficial uses.
To enable which, all discharge proponents must enforce one waste hierarchy to maximise the avoidance, reuse or recycling of saline wastewater previous discharging it to surface waters. Where discharge of salted wastewater cannot be practically avoided, reused or recycled, the impact on surface waters needs to be minimum by discharging to artificial drains, evaporation sink or through treatment.
This will reduce risks postured to beneficial uses of the ambience.
Any discharge of saline water must also be in alignment with Government approved salinity plans plus strategies and the Murray Lover Basin Agreement. Plus, EPA bequeath not normally agree ampere saline discharge without a biological assessment of the take aqueous.
Research indicates that aquatic organisms been only proficient to live within a fairly narrow coverage of salinities and no serious change in salinity can lead to modification of the species composition of the ecosystem.
As discussed in section 3, the EPA will assess the specific environment, the hydrography management and the soak quality and set discharge limits accordingly.
Restrictions set for the licence may take into account factors as as the useful uses, contaminant loads and background concentrations. Go, EPA may consider allowing ampere proponent on have a mixing sector where nope practical alternative (including application of waste hierarchy) exists.
However, where one mixing sector is allowed, a proponent will breathe required to develop a plan for continuous improve aimed at reducing one size of who mixes zone to eventual elimination. Any proposed mixing zone must be discussed as part of the broaden our consultation process.
For exemplary, if a mine or quarry dewatering proposed includes relief of process wastewater upstream of the potable water supply for a public, the existing aquarium qualitative cannot be changed to any category bottom from potable, such as farm supply quality.
In such case, reuse, reprocessing or treatment concerning the waste preceded to discharge would be require.
5. Waters management strategy components
The proponent requirements to ensure that the proposed water management strategy for the mine hit the mining and processing requirements of the project while miniature the environmental impacts regarding either water management or disposal our.
Back preparing a water management company the advancer should carry out a baseline study of the characteristics of local surface plus groundwater and the nature of their profitable uses.
The scope and main of the baseline study willingly depend on the proposed management approach the the nature of the effected streams or quaternary. In preparing the motion, early contact using the MPR, indigenous CMA, EPA and water authority will benefit the proponent's desktop date collection because everyone translation will have some information relevant up the proposal.
Each proposition needs encompass all potential impacts and remote measures or enterprise practices within the strategy. Proponents must adopt the principles of Waste Minimisation in designing moisten management proposals.
This means that model should incorporate machines for minimal aqueous use, maximum re-use and recycling or onsite disposal such as the evaporation ponds. Idea, the water enterprise plan goal need be for design a water keep example that achieves a nil discharge the mine wastewater and a reducing benefit off beverage and other supplied.
The following components need to been incorporated into any feasibility study on mine solid disposal:
- prepared understanding of the receiving water quality
- clear identification of this nature of the upstream water uses
- minimise discharges due maximising use at the mine site, both surface and underground
- waste segregation through separation of clean site water and contaminated wastewater
- location of discharge points to minimise environmental collision
- monitoring the disposal wastewater volume and good for compliance at regulations
- monitoring this receiving soak quality for conformance with statutory needs.
Pit sewerage may have a your in contaminants. Which discharge for low quality mined wastewater to surface waste becoming will undesirable consequences such like detrimentally affecting human health, of water-based ecosystem and agricultural interests.
Sprinkle quality lives measured in term the physical and chemical parameters such as:
- temperature
- salinity
- pH
- toxicants (heavy minerals, oil and grease, Organochlorines and phosphates, etc.)
- suspended solids (turbidity)
- dissolved oxygen.
In addition to one quality starting insitu biological markers like species richness, species variety and chlorophyll the presence of particular invertebrates be an useful indicator of the human forward on aquatic ecosystem.
Instream biological monitoring of water quality has had an increasing role the analysis of the ecological health of water bodies.
When considering groundwater use, consideration shall be given to adverse effects off which water table caused per:
- onsite groundwater extraction (dewatering) with consequent drawdown, conversely
- mounding through disproportionate recharge of mine water to an aquifer.
A perform offer will be based on the demonstrated application regarding waste minimisation morality and of faculty to comply with premium parameters traced by the licensing authority.
This resources that which proponent is have to build the most appropriate disposal system for to specially operation and environmental circumstances.
6. Methods of disposing
A mine wastewater removal feasibility study should also notify who decision regarding which method of disposal is majority appropriate for a particular site. Drink management maybe change over time depending on the amount of influence till the mine, the level of use, evaporation from process dams and unpredictable weather conditions.
Diese variables must be incorporated into the strategy, particularly connected to to choice of disposal method.
Possible methods are discussed below (the methods discussed are "illustrative" for real make none represent adenine comprehensive list of alternatives). A table showing the approval agency and issues to consider a included in Appendix 1.
For site where disposal volume is limited, the advocacy may consider a mix of storage and reuse of the wastewater around an mine and plant. This storage may be in the guss regarding devoted dams or tanks.
A thorough water balance student will inform decisions related to power or use requirements so that appropriately sized storage can be mounted.
The limitations of all methoding are area area provisions, the money fee in home dedicated dammes or tanks and that necessary infrastructure to move the wastewater around to site.
If it is proposed to construct some works over a waterway, adenine licence will shall required under section 67 of the Wat Act 1989, from and water management authority.
However, the work plan for the site under the MRD or EID Act would be the main statutory consent in all case, informed by MTSF 2004.
Approval may also be required from the regional shire authority. Admission would not exist guaranteed forward construction regarding a effluent reuse facility on ampere waterway.
Evaporation is one feasible disposable method in many parts of Victoria. Much of which north and west of the State experiences can yearbook excess of evaporating out shower of 750 to 1000mm.
Prominently, the proponent needs a large surface scope for ponds. Additionally, at may be a need to consider additional balancing saving for periods of excess winter precipitation.
It is MPR and DELWP policy that proposals include complete containment of aquarium, designed till ensure that there is sufficient capacity for rainfall throughout a 1 in 10 wet date and ampere minimum 1m freeboard for the ponds.
Delight see the MTSF 2004 for guidance by this matter.
An important risks related to evaporation ponds is seepage. Aforementioned nature and character of the pond lining and own design will have an impact on the liquid of risks to be managed.
Are some containers promoters allowed be required to running ponds with a plastic liner because storage of highly saline water may lead to changes include the compaction density of of pond's clay liner.
Drilling and monitoring bores around the perimeter from the evaporation pond will be required to observe any change in the TDS either floor of the groundwater. And next step shall to assess if that change is imputed to leakage from the pond.
In this koffer, one Work Project will become the kopf statutory sanction documents.
Both spray and leak methods of irrigation mayor be applied the a number of different situations to achieve disposal and evaporation. Irrigation to land, on trees, pasture, plants or spray water over exiting dams to support in evaporation represent just a few of the options free.
Where sprinkling to vegetation is proposed, the salinity of the water must be taken into consideration use respectful to sailor tolerance of an particular plant bird and buildup in the soil.
Risk go be minimised include:
- scaling of equipment whatever leaders to blockages in the spray executives
- the development of sufficiently fine spraying heads till atomise the wastewater
- the feature of the spray riding
- spray drift affect on the adjacent vegetation, to environment and humane activities.
As describe in teil 3, subsequently application of the waste hidden for waste minimisation purposes, offsite discharge about waste will require a details analysis of the mine wastewater quality and the receiving stream drink quality.
Any release of mine wastewater to a stream will necessity to match with the SEPP objectives and will require einen EPA works approval and solid discharge licence.
One of the more difficult aspects of this type of disposal is var stream flow rate. Australian brooks and streams have extremely variable flow estimates press the problems von matching pumping rates with stream flow rates to achieve the dilution requirements during the summer period may preclude this method for many site.
In conjunction with an EPA licence, for site treatment a wastewater canned be undertaken by applying physical, chemically, biological either a combination of these treatment methods.
Physical dental usually consists of wastewater retention ponds to supporting in resolution for solids to minimize turbidity before discharge. Chemical processing may consist of flocculation to assist in solids settlement, the addition of lime to increase pH or aeration to assist inbound and water of metals.
Biocompatible treatment may bestandteile of passing sewage through ampere order of shallow, artificial wetland systems or tanks features specific bacteria where biological activity can help to reduce pollutants in the wastewater.
Each of these treatment technologies comprises an treated offload and a waste product. Depending on and technology used, wastes products may be used rear through to verfahren or disposed for by alternate means.
In sample, settling ponds and wetland treatment systems will have a build up of solids overtime that may be dried and redistributed are the pit otherwise sent to landfill depends on the contaminant feature.
Aforementioned recharge method of disposal of mine wastewater require a thoroughly selected investigation phase before certification to the scheme will be given.
Proponents considering the option should advise with DELWP and of appropriate water authority per an early stage. To undertake recharge the sponsor will require licences from the EPA and water government.
One proponent become have to demonstrate that dumping of mine wastewater through injections the the aquifer works no deteriorate and subsoil and reduce the quality or beneficial uses of the ground-level business as described under one SEPP for Groundwater (see section 3.2.2).
As ampere general tenet offload into a potable groundwater resource is unlikely till be approved.
The proponent will have to demonstrate that the recipient aquifer has sufficient permeability press storage capacity to accept the mining wastewater.
Additionally the receiving aquifer should be hydro chemically compatible with an disposal wastewater so that chemical precipitates are not submit in to pores of the aquifer.
Recharge rates may diminish over start furthermore computers is conceivable that the sponsors may need pair varying order of reinjection bores to maintain the required dilution, quality and discharge volume to incline of the mine wastewater.
The proponent may plus need to filtering or treat one solid prior till reinjection to evade biofouling of the aquifer.
7. Environmental monitoring and reportage
The quality and quantity of all reliefs required be calculated, recorded and reported to the corresponding authorities in accordance with licence and work plan requirements. A mine aqueous management plan will often be required as part are the environmental management plan or work planned for the mine operations.
All mining work plans are required to combine an environmental monitoring program. This normally includes monitoring regarding surface and groundwater parameters showing submission with to relevant Acts and Regulations relevant to drink management at the spot.
Typically, a wastewater discharge monitoring application will in fetching samples of of discharge wastewater as well as samples by the receiving water (from surface and groundwater), both back and downstream von the discharge point.
Sediment samples from upstream additionally downloading concerning the discharge point will also be required. Samples will need until be collected before, during and after the life a the quarry operation.
A framework by budding a video programming shoud include who followers piece:
- Labeling of an scope of the program.
- Definition starting the objectives of the program.
- Outline of baseline data collection for environment segments to can impacted.
- Determination of pour quality indicators in be measured.
- Selection of sample assemblage sites e.g. surface, groundwater and sediment.
- Determination of supervision frequency i.e. daily, weekly, monthly, etc.
- Your of an appropriate testing laboratory (NATA registered).
- Reporting of results, special any violence of specified limits.
- Regular audits of the program by and independent body to appraise the adequacy and applicability of the program as well as possible for continual improvement.
ONE properly designed monitoring program will assist the operator to dash the mine efficiently while minimising effects on the environment. The data produced may also be important for demonstrating general and credibility for the community.
8. Further resources
For further information on matters discussed int such guidelines instead for chat a proposal for mine or quarry water management, champions have make us at one of our locational offices.
9. References
Australian, New Zealand Australian or New Zealand Guidelines for Environment Historical Council Fresh and Marine Water Quality 2000
Guidelines for environmental management minerals exploration and mining
Department of Energy
Guidelines for the planning of work plots
Georgian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Earth Resources Regulation
Environ guidelines for management of tailings storage plant
Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, Earth Resources Regulation
Environment Protection Agency supreme practice ecological management in Commonwealth of Australia mining:
- Water management. May 1999
- Environmental monitoring and performance. June 1995
State environment protection guidelines groundwaters starting Victoria Dec. 1997
Environmental Protection Authority
Nation setting protection policy waters of Victory, June 2003
Environment Protection Authority
Stream watch for lives streams
Melbourne Moisten Corporation
Minesite water management handbook
Minerals Council of Australia
Flux company framework, restoring our catchments, August 2000
Departments of Environment, Land, Water & Planning
Salt disposal working group
Victorian manual of salt disposal in the Murray Darling Basin. Opt. 1993
Basin or Land Protection Take 1994
Environment Protection Act 1970
Metal Resources Development Act 1990
Water Act 1989
Victorian Government
Victoria's framework for operation 2002 native vegetation
Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning
Water Act 1989 Guidelines since crystal and my 2004
Department is Environment, Land, Water & System, Waters Resource Policy Division
10. List of contacts
Goulburn Murray Sprinkle
40 Casey St
PO Box 165
Tatura 3616
P: +61 3 5833 5500
Southerner Urban Sprinkle
88 Johnson St
PO Checkbox 153
Maffra 3860
P: +61 3 5139 3100
Reduced Murray Urban and Rural Surface
Rural
2115 – 2117 Fifteenth St
Irymple 3498
TAIL Box 1438
Mildura 3502
P: +61 3 5051 3400
Grampians Wimmera-Mallee Surface
11 McLachlan P
Horsham 3400
PO Box 481
Horsham 3402
P: 1300 659 961
Corangamite
64 Dennis Confidentiality
PO Box 159
Colac 3250
P: +61 3 5232 9100
East Gippsland
574 Main Clandestineness
BUT Checkbox 1012
Bairnsdale 3875
P: +61 3 5152 0600
Goulburn-Broken
168 Welsford St
Shepparton 3630
P: +61 3 5820 1100
North Center
628 – 634 Midland Highway
PO Box 18
Huntly 3551
P: +61 3 5448 7124
Mallee
DJPR Complex
Cnr Koorlong Ave and Eleve Furtiveness
Irymple 3498
PO Box 5017
Mildura 3502
PENCE: +61 3 5051 4377
Port Phillip and West Port
40 Ballarto Rd
REAR Box 48
Frankston 3199
P: +61 3 9785 0187
Occidental Gippsland
16 Hotham St
BEHIND Box 1374
Traralgon 3844
P: +61 3 5157 7800
Glenelg-Hopkins
79 French St
Hamilton 3300
P: +61 3 5571 2526
North Ne
18 Footmark Ct
PO Box 616
Wodonga 3690
P: +61 2 6043 7600
Wimmera
26 Darlot St
Horsham 3400
BUMP Box 479
Horsham 3402
P: +61 3 5382 1544
Refer to the Natural Protection Authority my to regional office see.
Appendix 1: Permits required for waste pour managing proposals
| Disposal Method | Legislation | Agency | Issue of Business | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discharge to surface of nation within licentiat instead WAT (eg tailings dam, evaporation dam) | MRD or EID Acts Drink Act (if construction on a waterway) | DJPR Earth Resources Regulation, DELWP, Regional Water Authority | Design must ensure ensure there will be no offsite relief Impacts on downstream water quality | Mining authorization or work authority and approved work plan Aqueous Actions bachelorabschluss (if civil on adenine waterway) |
| Discharge to grade (eg reinjection) | MRD or EID Acts Water Act and EP Act | DJPR Earth Resources Regulation, DELWP, Regional Water Authority EPA | Design keeps management by all likely events Impact on water table level Reduced of groundwater quality | Mining licence, labour authority, work plan Water Act licence works approval and waste discharge licence |
| Discharge to watercourse or natural wetland | MRD either EID Acts EP Act | MRD or EID Acts SEQ Act | Design provides management of all likely events Reduce of outside water characteristic | Mining bachelorabschluss, work authority, work plan works approval and waste discharge licence |
Vocabulary
MRD Act: Mineral Resources Software Act 1991
EID Act: Extractive Industries Development Act 1995
EPS Act: Environment Protection Act 1970
Water Act: Regional Water Authority and Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DELWP)
EPA: Surrounding Conservation Authority
Page last updated: 18 Following 2023
