monitoring data, but there is also a need to reassess whether the
existing monitoring being undertaken is still appropriate.
A fit-for-purpose test should be applied as part of ongoing
monitoring reviews. Monitoring programs should regularly be
reviewed to ascertain if they are focused on key water management
issues and/or compliance targets.
Monitoring around a tailings storage facility (TSF) is a typical
case in point. All too often a mine gets into the position of
monitoring an extensive grid of monitoring bores extending from
the TSF through to all the identified receptors. However, the real
monitoring requirements evolve and change over time. At the
commencement of operations, monitoring targets should be to
identify the presence, if any, of seepage in shallow groundwater
close to the TSF. Monitoring should be focused on bores at or
near the toe of the TSF, and not on all the more remote bores
–
where it would take many decades for any seepage to reach.
The more distant monitoring bores are important from a life
of mine perspective and long-term monitoring, but certainly not
for, say, monthly detailed monitoring for a full range of water
quality parameters.
Also, once monitoring has detected seepage at a particular bore,
there is little need to continually monitor the bore on as regular a
frequency. This bore could drop back to periodic monitoring, but
the next bore downstream would be elevated in importance. This
process of changing the status of and monitoring requirements for
bores should continue regularly over the life of the mine.
The above approach can be applied to all operational monitoring
requirements. By keeping it simple and keeping it focused on the
real issues – the result will be a significant cost savings, while
maintaining effective and compliant water and environmental
management, and ultimately an operating mine without water
management concerns.
Not only is there a need to get
back to the basics in terms of
operational water management,
such as collecting and reviewing
monitoring data, but there is
also a need to reassess whether
the existing monitoring being
undertaken is still appropriate.
CIVIL & MINING