BHP Billiton has committed to
continuing to work with the local community to better understand the potential impacts of an
underground coal mine at Caroona
following the release of the Namoi Catchment Water Study, writes Stephen David, Caroona Coal’s head of projects.
BHP Billiton recognises the importance of the water study to local farmers, landholders, resource companies and communities, and will now utilise the findings of the study in the development of its own water models for a potential underground mine at Caroona.
The completion of the catchment-wide water study is the first step in the detailed and comprehensive analysis that BHP Billiton will undertake.
BHP Billiton acknowledges the complexity of the water issues in the region, and a considerable amount of our exploration work has been focussed on understanding water resources and their relationship with mining.
To date this has included a range of scientific studies and detailed monitoring and assessment of the groundwater systems over several years.
All of this data, together with the findings of the water study, will be used by BHP Billiton to construct a comprehensive three-dimensional hydrogeological model to understand ground water movements and a flood model to indicate the potential impact of mining on the quantity and quality surface water and the flood plain alluvium.
The flood model is being developed in consultation with local landholders who are providing images, anecdotal evidence and other valuable information about the impact of historical flood events in the area.
Preliminary results of the flood modelling and other studies undertaken as part of BHP Billiton’s exploration activities have also been shared with interested landholders and community representatives through the Caroona Coal Project Community Consultative Committee.
Once all of the scientific studies have been undertaken, BHP Billiton will consider and incorporate the findings of the water study before finalising the mine design and commencing the development of an environmental impact statement (EIS).
The EIS will be developed in close consultation with the local community and other stakeholders to ensure that any potential impacts and mitigation strategies are identified. It will also be subject to close scrutiny by government and regulators during any future approval process.
BHP Billiton remains committed to no mining of any description outside the targeted exploration area, no longwall mining under the flood plains or under the deep alluvial aquifers, and no open cut mining anywhere in the Caroona exploration licence area.
I would encourage anyone who would like to discuss any aspect of BHP Billiton’s water modelling and other exploration activities to contact the Caroona Coal Project office on 6247 4600.
underground coal mine at Caroona
following the release of the Namoi Catchment Water Study, writes Stephen David, Caroona Coal’s head of projects.
BHP Billiton recognises the importance of the water study to local farmers, landholders, resource companies and communities, and will now utilise the findings of the study in the development of its own water models for a potential underground mine at Caroona.
The completion of the catchment-wide water study is the first step in the detailed and comprehensive analysis that BHP Billiton will undertake.
BHP Billiton acknowledges the complexity of the water issues in the region, and a considerable amount of our exploration work has been focussed on understanding water resources and their relationship with mining.
To date this has included a range of scientific studies and detailed monitoring and assessment of the groundwater systems over several years.
All of this data, together with the findings of the water study, will be used by BHP Billiton to construct a comprehensive three-dimensional hydrogeological model to understand ground water movements and a flood model to indicate the potential impact of mining on the quantity and quality surface water and the flood plain alluvium.
The flood model is being developed in consultation with local landholders who are providing images, anecdotal evidence and other valuable information about the impact of historical flood events in the area.
Preliminary results of the flood modelling and other studies undertaken as part of BHP Billiton’s exploration activities have also been shared with interested landholders and community representatives through the Caroona Coal Project Community Consultative Committee.
Once all of the scientific studies have been undertaken, BHP Billiton will consider and incorporate the findings of the water study before finalising the mine design and commencing the development of an environmental impact statement (EIS).
The EIS will be developed in close consultation with the local community and other stakeholders to ensure that any potential impacts and mitigation strategies are identified. It will also be subject to close scrutiny by government and regulators during any future approval process.
BHP Billiton remains committed to no mining of any description outside the targeted exploration area, no longwall mining under the flood plains or under the deep alluvial aquifers, and no open cut mining anywhere in the Caroona exploration licence area.
I would encourage anyone who would like to discuss any aspect of BHP Billiton’s water modelling and other exploration activities to contact the Caroona Coal Project office on 6247 4600.