Sustainability website / Case Studies 2004 / Xstrata coal / Rehabilitating New Wallsend No. 2 Colliery

Rehabilitating New Wallsend No. 2 Colliery

The rehabilitation of New Wallsend No. 2 Colliery (previously known as Gretley Mine) in Australia has been so successful that the University of Newcastle is using the case study in its engineering syllabus.

In March 2002, Xstrata Coal purchased the Oakbridge group of mines and, as part of the purchase agreement, was required to rehabilitate New Wallsend No. 2, when it ceased operation in December 2002.

General Manager Underground Operations Glen Lewis said a comprehensive decommissioning and mine closure strategy was developed in consultation with key government agencies.

"The key objective of this two-year, AUD8 million project was to return land affected by the mine into a condition suitable for a range of sustainable land uses," he said.

"We faced a number of technical challenges, including landform stability and the remediation of contaminated land."

Major activities conducted in consultation with the local community and relevant government authorities included filling in a large trial box cut, re-establishing Maryland Creek, remediating contaminated land, removing the existing visual bund, locating and sealing existing and former mine entries, and demolishing surface buildings.

Glen said the project-s key objectives included ensuring the safety of the area, minimising environmental impact and liability, preventing access to disused underground workings, minimising the potential impact from activities conducted at each phase of the project and ensuring the future sustainability of the area.

"We recognised that the closure, decommissioning and rehabilitation of New Wallsend No. 2 needed to be completed in a cost effective and timely manner, while achieving our objectives and meeting all government requirements," he said.

"It is particularly pleasing that this work was completed in partnership with the local community and did not generate any community complaints.

"As a result of this project, we have been able to share key learnings and technical information on mine closure with a range of stakeholders."