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80 Independence Group NL
LONG OPERATION
Long Operation’s water abstraction is also controlled
under a groundwater licence. Water extracted from
the mine is used primarily for dust suppression and
underground mining purposes. Excess water is pumped
to the surface, held in settling dams to remove sediment,
and then discharged onto Lake Lefroy. Water use and
discharge volumes are accurately measured using a series
of flow meters throughout the site to ensure authorised
water abstraction entitlements are not breached.
SWL and water chemistry monitoring is periodically carried
out and the data is submitted in an annual groundwater
monitoring summary to the Department of Water. The
Department of Water reviews the report and provides any
feedback to IGO. No concerns were identified by IGO nor
were any raised by the raised Department of Water this
financial year.
The ground at Long Operation is hypersaline and is
toxic to plants. Pipelines that contain hypersaline water
must be properly bunded and inspected to ensure no
significant spills occur. A relatively small percentage of the
groundwater is incidentally extracted as water vapour
and mist from underground to the surface by the mines
ventilation fans. The hypersaline water vapour emitted
from the vent fans has and continues to pose a threat
to surrounding vegetation. During a DER compliance
inspection carried out on the 16th June 2015 (i.e. outside
the FY2014/15 reporting period), it was identified that
hypersaline water run-off and vapour from the Long
South vent fan was passing into the environment and
causing vegetation stress and death. The DER placed an
improvement notice upon Long Operation to fix this issue
and prevent further vegetation deaths. Long Operation
are currently designing a solution to minimise the volume
of hypersaline water emitted.
TROPICANA JV
Tropicana Operation JV has four groundwater licences
permitting abstraction of groundwater in the area. This
is managed in accordance with an operating strategy
approved by the Department of Water. During the 2014
calendar year, a total of 4.9 million kL of water was
abstracted from operational bores and the process water
supply borefield. The water is used for processing, road
maintenance and dust suppression. A series of flow
meters are installed to accurately monitor water use, all
pipelines are bunded to prevent spills passing into the
environment.
Groundwater monitoring programs are in place to
measure the effect (if any) that abstraction is having
on the surrounding water table (level and chemistry).
During 2014 calendar year, the standing water levels were
variable but remained stable, although there were some
exceptions which saw significant decreases in standing
water level likely due to increased abstraction rates. No
significant change in water quality was observed.
Surface water monitoring is also undertaken at Tropicana
to determine the effectiveness of the sites surface water
management infrastructure following significant rain
events. The tests results indicated that surface water
management onsite was effective.
A WA School of Mines graduate (BSc Mine and
Engineering Surveying) with four years’ industry
experience. Kiki began her full-time career as an
underground Surveyor at IGO’s Long Operation. Her
responsibilities include surveying all underground
development work and production headings,
control network surveys, data base management,
direction and grade mark-ups of headings.
“My job gets me out of my office and keeps
me physically fit, loving it!!’
Kiki Huang
Underground Mine Surveyor
Long Operation