Progressive Rehabilitation of Land

Progressively rehabilitating land is a core focus of the Oaky Creek Coal Environment and Community team, so Tieri News spoke to Kate French, Environment & Community Advisor, to find out more…

WHAT EXACTLY IS LAND REHABILITATION?

Land rehabilitation is the process of returning the land that’s been disturbed by mining activities to an approved post-mining land use. Rehabilitation techniques can involve recontouring the land with earthmoving equipment such as dozers and scrapers; returning topsoil that’s been stripped and stockpiled prior to disturbance, ripping, fertilising and seeding the land with native species of grasses, shrubs and trees.

WHY IS LAND REHABILITATION IMPORTANT?

Land rehabilitation is not only an important step in the mining process and a key condition of the mining site’s approval to mine in that area, it’s also important for the environment and for the local community.

WHAT PROCESSES OR TECHNIQUES DO YOU ADOPT TO REHABILITATE THE LAND?

The land rehabilitation technique used will vary according to the level of disturbance that’s taken place. For example, exploration drill pads require a different rehabilitation technique compared to open-cut spoil dumps or tailings storage facilities.

HOW MUCH LAND DOES OAKY CREEK COAL AIM TO REHABILITATE EVERY YEAR AND WHAT MILESTONES HAVE YOU REACHED?

Every year, Oaky Creek Coal sets disturbance and rehabilitation targets based on the mine plan. This enables the site to adequately invest budget and allocate the necessary resources. It’s important that land rehabilitation is an ongoing, continuous process throughout the life of the mine, not simply an after-thought after the mine has closed.

In 2021, we set a target of seeding 306 hectares of new land and applying for certification of 385 hectares of established rehabilitation. We’re excited to report that we exceeded both of these targets, achieving 313 hectares of seeded land, and 559 hectares certified! Oaky Creek Coal is pleased to report that for the past three years, over 300 hectares of land was seeded per year – that’s equivalent to approximately 300 football fields every year! Oaky Creek Coal’s rehabilitation program dates back several decades and includes a number of areas which have obtained certification level.

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF THE LAND HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY REHABILITATED?

Rehabilitated land is monitored on a regular basis. Monitoring techniques include a number of different activities such as vegetation assessments, soil sampling, ground and drone surveys. Analogue (native/undisturbed) control sites are also monitored and used as a baseline for rehabilitation monitoring. Water quality is also monitored across the site, including groundwater and surface creek flows, upstream and downstream.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE LAND IS REHABILITATED – WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

Rehabilitated land will continue to be monitored and once it has matured, the site will undergo an independent certification process. Upon completion, the rehabilitated land will be returned to the agreed post-mining land use, for example grazing land for animals or native vegetation.

WHAT LAND REHABILITATION ACTIVITY CAN WE EXPECT FROM OAKY CREEK COAL IN THE FUTURE?

In addition to our regular, ongoing land rehabilitation activities, Oaky Creek Coal is currently developing a Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (PRCP) in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act). As part of this process, and in line with guidelines set out by the Department of Environment and Science, Oaky Creek Coal will be engaging members of the local community in a consultation regarding the rehabilitation and closure of the site. This community consultation enables relevant stakeholders to be involved in the development of the PRCP. The consultation process is scheduled to take place over the coming months with the final PRCP due for submission later in the year.