GHD DELIVERS SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR INDUSTRY, COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENT.
Working together to preserve the aspirations and values of Indigenous communities is a key element of delivering sustainable developments in the Mining and Resources sector. GHD acknowledge the Larrakia people who have a unique place in the community as the traditional owners of Darwin. We welcome you to Darwin and to the Sustainable Development Conference 2008.
INTRODUCTION
Strengthening Australia’s ability to respond to the surge in global mineral resource demand has become a national priority. Aligning development priorities to support Australian infrastructure capacity is an important way government and industry can work together to deliver higher volume output to meet the increasing demand of customers throughout China, Japan, India and the broader global economy. Effective and efficient heavy haul supply chains are key to our international trading position, competitiveness and vital to investment strategies. Integrating existing transport networks, improving mineral distribution technologies and developing long-term partnerships, with industry underpinning key infrastructure project delivery, are ways GHD can help improve supply chain solutions leading to delivery contract fulfillment. Resource development and infrastructure support are each couched in the evolving carbon-constrained world. Addressing climate change impacts, effectively adapting to emissions trading needs and managing the evolution and implementation of greenhouse friendly technologies are core to a responsible, successful and sustainable approach to business. Building successful, mutually beneficial relationships between industry, government and rural communities is a key driving force for development success. Providing sustainable employment and business development opportunities to maintain the social and economic health of a community during and after the life of a mine site is a significant function in the rehabilitation of the land.
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
The Mining and Resources sector in Australia enjoys a largely positive and mutually supportive association with Indigenous communities across the nation. This relationship is underpinned by the significant connection that Indigenous people have with their traditional lands. GHD actively develops partnerships with Indigenous stakeholders to assist mining companies to uphold their commitment to sound resource development under principle 3 of The Australian Minerals Industry Framework for Sustainable Development ‘Enduring Value’ to: ‘Uphold fundamental human rights and respect cultures, customs and values in dealings with employees and others who are affected by our activities’. With vast experience in providing services to communities in rural, remote and urban locations, GHD provides sustainable management strategies to protect and enhance Indigenous cultural heritage in the Mining and Resources sector.
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
Managing the development impact on our natural resources continues to intensify with community and stakeholder focus on an organisation’s environmental performance. Stakeholders are increasingly scrutinising organisations that operate in the mining and resources sector and demand they undertake a sustainable approach to their developments and the impact they may have on the environment. GHD solutions help organisations understand the economic, social and environmental influences and attributes of their business in order to reduce environmental impact, maximise efficiency and develop strategies for continuous improvement. Many organisations are adopting this approach as the way to evolve into a more sustainable enterprise.
MITIGATION STRATEGIES TO PROTECT HABITAT
Situated approximately 40 kilometres south of Mackay, Australia, lies the Port of Hay Point one of the largest coal export ports in the world. For the proposed departure path dredging and associated offshore spoil disposal, including the apron area, the Ports Corporation of Queensland commissioned GHD to conduct an Environmental Impact Study (EIS). The proposed departure path is situated within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. A number of sensitive environmental habitats, including fringing coral reefs are located in close proximity to the Port. In close partnership with approval agencies, GHD identified engineering, technical and economic constraints to be considered throughout the project, outlined mitigation strategies to protect flora, fauna, water quality, cultural heritage and the social environment, and detailed an innovative monitoring program to assess the potential environmental impacts long-term.
MAJOR MINE REHABILITATION
In the final closure of the Naumk Tailings Dam complex in Indonesia, GHD provided a comprehensive range of engineering services to Pt Kelian Equatorial Mining, a company 90% owned by Rio Tinto. Dismantling the infrastructure and rehabilitating the landforms around the open cut gold mine were key tasks, as was the preparation of the tailings for restoration. The documentation and management of all aspects of the dam project were provided by GHD. The project required two years of research and preparation leading to a major upgrade of the tailings dam wall, upgrade of the spillway system and construction of a new emergency spillway.
COMPREHENSIVE AIR-MONITORING
One of the most comprehensive ambient air monitoring programs has been completed for Woodside Energy on the remote Burrup Peninsula in North-West Australia. The GHD environment team designed a program to monitor the ambient air quality around the Karratha gas plant and offshore facilities, particularly for Benzene, Toluene and Xylene (BTX). This two-stage program, including extensive occupational monitoring and fixed-point data collection, confirmed earlier modelling conclusions indicating safe ambient air. One of the challenges in achieving this program was conducting over 600 specialist air analyses in laboratories located some 4,500 kilometres away from the project.
WORLD’S QUIETEST OFF-HIGHWAY TRUCK
Mt Arthur Coal mine is a large open-cut mine in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia. To meet the most stringent noise limits for mining operations, GHD was commissioned by WesTrac to acoustically attenuate three Caterpillar 789C off-highway trucks. On assessment of noise sources emitted by the engine, fan, transmission, and differential of the truck, GHD engineered a unique solution involving advanced acoustic modelling and materials research. Research revealed a stationary noise level of 106dB(A) and a dynamic level of 110db(A). These outstanding results are equivalent to 20 modified trucks running at full power with the sound impact of just one untreated truck. Included in the attenuation package, GHD designed a cooling system to maintain optimum Caterpillar operating temperatures, for even the harshest conditions. Comprehensive reassessments of the truck reported that acoustic performance had not deteriorated.
INCREASE THROUGHPUT AND STORAGE CAPACITY
As part of the $80 million RG Tanna Coal Terminal expansion to increase throughput capacity from 30mtpa to 40mtpa for the Gladstone Port Authority in Queensland, Australia, GHD provided a safe, more cost-effective facility for receiving coal and distributing it to the blending stockpiles. GHD prepared structural, mechanical and electrical designs to expand the overhead stacking and underground reclaim systems with an additional 7 new stockpiles and a third rail receival station. The stockpile expansion included the construction of inloading and reclaim systems. The inloading system included transfer and stockpile conveyors with a travelling tripper supported on elevated gallery structures. The reclaim system included the construction of an underground tunnel with three chambers to accommodate a conveyor and stockpile discharger, which deliver coal on to the shiploading system. The reclaim tunnel was constructed below the water table using precast concrete arch units, resulting in significant economies in cost and construction time compared with the traditional in-situ concrete systems. With the assistance of Parbury Technologies, a waterproofing system was developed to tolerate expected joint movements and resist water and earth pressure loads. The travelling tripper was designed to transfer coal from the stockpile conveyor to stockpiles at up to 6,000 tonnes per hour. The tripper control is fully automated to allow coal to be delivered anywhere along the length of the stockpile conveyor.
GASIFICATION FOR LOW GHG EMISSIONS
For coal applications, Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) projects are being investigated for a number of sites across Australia, due to the improvement in efficiency and reduction in net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. GHD conducted a conceptual analysis of coal gasification for low GHG emissions for Stanwell, a leading generator of environmentally responsible electricity, to investigate a 190-megawatt integrated coal gasification combined cycle demonstration power plant.
EFFICIENT ON-SITE ENERGY GENERATION
Many industrial operations consuming substantial electricity and steam now have the opportunity to generate energy supplies by installing cogeneration plants on-site. Gas turbine cogeneration is highly efficient and makes good economic sense. GHD recently completed two large cogeneration projects in Western Australia for leading energy infrastructure company Alinta. According to Alinta, cogeneration is more than 75 per cent energy efficient, compared with 25-50 per cent for other power plants operating in Western Australia.
DESALINATION FOR OLYMPIC DAM
BHP Billiton engaged GHD for the pre-feasibility study for the Olympic Dam Expansion Primary Water Supply System located at Port Bonyton in South Australia. The system includes a substantial seawater desalination plant (producing more than 100 megalitres per day) and a water transfer system including a 320-kilometre pipeline, which comprises 4 pump stations and an end storage capacity in excess of 800 megalitres. As Principal Consultant, GHD is providing engineering services for the pre-feasibility study, including design management, process design, pre-treatment system design, plant operating and control philosophy, seawater intake and outfall system design, desalination plant general arrangement, major pipework design, product water storage design, civil works design, building and architectural design and evaluation of vendor data.
INEXPENSIVE GROUNDWATER REMEDIATION
In Australia, GHD trialled innovative remediation technology at a former Melbourne industrial site being developed into a residential district. The site was subject to a statutory environmental audit. The local council declined further development until efforts were made to remediate groundwater contaminated by chlorinated solvents. Developer Brico accepted a GHD recommendation to trial in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO), a rapid and relatively inexpensive technique, compared to more traditional pump and treat methods. Stage 1 of the trial involved injecting approximately 2,000 kilograms of potassium permanganate, the selected oxidising agent, mixed with 80,000 litres of water, at 12 points in and around the contaminated zone. First round post-ISCO sampling results indicated the complete clean up of the chlorinated solvents from monitoring wells located within the treatment area. Successful completion of the clean up allowed development to proceed.
TAILINGS DAM STRATEGIES
For the Alumina Refinery in Gladstone, Queensland, Australia, GHD developed a new long-term red mud storage strategy to prevent the release of bauxite residue into the environment. Alumina adopted the upstream strategy, in which additional raises of the embankments will be constructed from within the existing red mud dam, rather than the usual method of raising the embankments around the external perimeter of the dam walls to provide additional storage. GHD completed the design and documentation for the upstream conversion of the dam and associated infrastructure.
SUSTAINABILITY AT GHD
GHD defines sustainability as improving human wellbeing without compromising the local or global environment over the long term. We contribute to the goals of sustainable development and are committed to managing the social, economic and environmental impacts of our operations and assisting our clients to manage theirs in the provision of our professional consulting services. GHD recognises innovation as the key to realising this aspiration. Drawing on the collective will and knowledge of our people, the GHD Sustainability Strategy is a framework to reduce our environmental footprint, while simultaneously increasing the outputs of our business, enhancing our corporate culture, improving community spirit, and helping our clients to realise their commercial objectives. GHD is a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and contributes to their focus areas of Energy & Climate, Development, the Business Role and Ecosystems.
ABOUT GHD
GHD is an international professional services company. Our people deliver innovative solutions by combining technical skill and experience with an understanding of our clients objectives and aspirations. Ranked in the world’s top 30 engineering and architecture companies, we employ over 6,500 people in a network of offices throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and Europe. We serve clients in the global market sectors of Infrastructure, Mining & Industry, Defence, Property & Buildings and the Environment. GHD consultants are active in international project management and design for mine and resource development, including conceptual planning and feasibility studies, design and environmental planning for infrastructure, plant engineering, hydraulics, materials handling, tailings management, rehabilitation and decommissioning. GHD operates under a Practice Quality Assurance (QA) System that is certified to AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000 and our Environmental Management System (EMS) is accredited to international standard ISO 14001 by NATA Certification Services International (NCSI).
To assist you to successfully and profitably develop your mining prospect, operation or expansion plans, contact:
PHILIP BAKER Manager, Mining and Environment Services T +61 3 8687 8983 M +61 419 726 028 E phil.baker@ghd.com.au
Ray Koenig Business Stream Leader, Mining and Resources T +61 7 3316 3964 M +61 411 258 394 E ray.koenig@ghd.com.au