Revegetation of the Pardoo mine: planning to execution to monitoring Stacey Gregory September 2018
Outline • Site description • Closure planning process • Revegetation activities • Revegetation performance • Lessons learned
Site Description • 75 km east of Port Hedland • 11 open pits, six WRDs and mining infrastructure • Mining commenced 2008 and finished 2013
Closure planning process Revegetation Development Closure risk Closure Stakeholder plan & closure of detailed assessment investigations engagement criteria MCP
Closure risk assessment Poor revegetation resulting from: • Hostile or insufficient growth medium • Inappropriate or poor quality seed • Grazing pressures • Poor climatic conditions • Weeds becoming dominant
Closure investigations • Topsoil • Growth medium alternatives • Substrate material properties • Surface treatments • Seed
Revegetation plan and closure criteria • Revegetation plan developed • Closure criteria developed to measure revegetation performance − Revegetation was used as a benchmark for success − Cover species richness, plant cover, weeds and self-sustainability
Stakeholder engagement • Schedule of meetings to discuss: − Closure planning process − Outcomes of closure investigations − Closure objectives and criteria • Detailed MCP and revegetation plan submitted and approved
Revegetation activities Reprofiling Armouring Topsoil Contour ripping Seed and fertiliser
Revegetation performance - climate 700 600 500 Rainfall (mm) 400 300 200 100 0 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Year Rainfall (mm) Long term average (mm)
Revegetation performance – Bobby WRD Plant Species Weed Key taxa cover (%) richness cover seeding
Plant Species Weed Key taxa cover (%) richness cover seeding
Plant Species Weed Key taxa cover (%) richness cover seeding
Lessons • Document everything • Contractor selection and management critical • Regular inspections – grazing and weeds • Engage stakeholders early
End • Thanks to Atlas Iron Limited – Brendan Bow • Questions?
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