The area shown on the map is about 4 km across.
This map shows the mining lease. E22 and E27 are the Endeavour 22 and 27 ore bodies (mined by the open cut method), and E26 is the Endeavour 26 ore body (mined by the underground method). The other numbered features are as follows:
Most of the Northparkes mining lease is still covered by grass, trees and even a forest called the Limestone National Forest. However, about a third of the lease is disturbed by the structures and facilities necessary for mining, including the open pits, the underground mine, the tailings dams and retention ponds, the ore and topsoil stockpiles, the waste-rock dumps, the processing plant and other buildings and roads.
Environmental scientists at Northparkes work hard to ensure that the disturbances to the land are as small as possible. Some of the effects (IMPACTS) that the Northparkes mine has on the land, and how they are being managed and reduced (ACTIONS) are summarised below.
Top soil is disturbed by construction of open-pits, roads, stockpiles, waste-rock heaps, buildings and other mine structures.
Top soil is always removed and stored in piles (stockpiles) before construction of any mine structures. It is then re-used in rehabilitation of the mine site.
This photo shows a top soil stockpile, which is being spread on top of the tailings dam wall to help grasses to grow. As well as looking more attractive than bare soil or rock, healthy plants reduce erosion and dust, and loss of valuable top soil.
Plants are disturbed.
Top soil is spread over newly constructed mine land forms (eg tailings dam walls, soundbunds, waste rock heaps etc) and pasture and native grasses and native shrubs and trees are planted.
Animals are disturbed.
Northparkes environmental personnel have planted more than 100,000 trees on the site since 1992.
Belts of native trees have been planted around the mine site, and the Bogan River. These provide wildlife corridors for native animals. Also, local pockets of native trees in the lease have been fenced off, to provide habitats for animals.
Open pits change the shape and appearance of the land, and limit access.
After mining finishes, the three Northparkes open pits will be filled with tailings or turned into small lakes.
This is a photo of the E27 open pit. The water in it is rain water, coloured blue by fine suspended clay.
Tailings dams and waste rock heaps change the shape and appearance of the land.
Waste rock heaps and other similar structures will be removed or shaped to make more natural, hill-like shapes, covered with top soil, and replanted.
After mining is finished, the tailings dams will be allowed to dry out and then will be covered with a layer of clay to provide a suitable growth medium. They will then be covered with stockpiled topsoil, and replanted with native vegetation.
This photo was taken from the top of a re-vegetated waste rock heap (foreground). The flat light brown area in the middle distance is a tailings dam at Northparkes. It covers an area of 144 hectares.
Native gardens are planted near the Administration Centre at Northparkes Mine.
Processing plant and other structures and buildings may not fit into the landscape.
Gardens of native plants, and lines of trees around buildings and the mine lease help screen structures from view. This is also creates a more pleasant workplace for the people who work at Northparkes.
Mines do not last forever. After a number of years or even decades, the ore bodies are mined out, and mining stops. Therefore, when a mining operation is initially planned, an important factor to be considered is the use of the land after mining has finished.
It is expected that the Northparkes mine will have a life of 18 years. When mining is finished all structures and facilities relating to the mining operation will be dismantled and removed. The mine site will be rehabilitated to produce an undulating landscape with small hills and possibly three small lakes (corresponding to the open pits). The stockpiled topsoil will be spread over the area, and native trees and grasses planted. Native wildlife will move back and re-inhabit the area naturally.
Although the land use before the mine was constructed was mainly agricultural (wheat, sheep and cattle) the land is unlikely to be used in this way again. The main reason is that grazing stock may reduce the vegetation cover over the area, and lead to erosion of the new landforms. This is particularly undesirable in the area of the former tailings dam.
Discussions about possible uses of the land after the Northparkes mine closes are currently being held with the local community. It is likely that the mine-site may eventually be rehabilitated to a mixed forest and grassland sanctuary or recreation area for the residents of Parkes and the surrounding district.
