Mine waste cover systems

Effective management of mine waste requires an understanding of the interaction between local climate, the physical and geochemical properties of waste material and the surrounding environment. Leading practice requires rigorous waste characterisation regimes, materials handling and management strategies to inhibit the weathering of mineralised waste. We consider cover systems to be the ‘last line of defence’ in abating discharges from waste structures to the environment. However, many legacy waste structures with unknown histories exist. Cover systems are therefore an important part of controlling deleterious discharges and supporting the rehabilitation of mine waste held in tailings storage facilities, waste rock dumps or heap leach facilities.

The Office of the Queensland Rehabilitation Commissioner is engaging with partners to better understand the historic issues arising from cover system performance. Cover system design requires a multi-disciplinary approach and trials are often undertaken to inform their design. We are currently working to better understand the relative success and failures of cover system trials and cover monitoring. This work aims to provide guidance on leading practice cover trials and cover monitoring methodologies.

Publications will be made available here once completed.