Terramin aims to leave the site in better condition than when we acquired it.
Environmental policy
Terramin recognises that protection of the environment, including formal compliance with all regulatory requirements, is an integral component of an efficient and sustainable business. Terramin is committed to meeting all applicable laws, regulatory requirements and relevant standards and to respect and reflect the concerns of the broader community.
To achieve this, Terramin will:
Engage in practices that help protect, preserve and enhance the environment.
Apply standards that meet all relevant legislation and regulatory requirements as a minimum.
Communicate in a transparent manner and consult with the community statutory bodies and all stakeholders about the Company’s activities and projects.
Integrate environmental issues into the decision-making process of the Company’s operations.
Manage environmental risks on a site-specific basis to achieve planned environmental outcomes.
Establish and maintain operational and management systems to achieve a high level of environmental performance based on accepted science.
Managing our operational areas in accordance with contemporary land management principles.
Use resources and energy efficiently and minimise waste, emissions and negative external impacts.
Recycle, reuse and reduce consumable products, and participate in initiatives to achieve environmentally beneficial outcomes.
Give due consideration to environmentally advantageous alternatives when sourcing and using consumable products.
Establish and implement processes, practices and procedures for corrective and preventative actions to minimise the environmental risk and impact of the Company’s activities.
All levels of management will lead by example to ensure that this policy, for the attainment of environmentally sound and sustainable practices, is implemented and maintained.
Background work
Extensive work has been undertaken to study and understand the local environment of the Bird in Hand Gold Mine.
“Environment” means and includes…
Proximity to conservation areas and an investigation of the local fauna and flora
Topography and landscape
Natural hazards
Ground water
The State Government & Local Government planning framework
Local communities
Tourism
Transport
Business
Land use
Proximity to infrastructure and housing
Climate
Geology
Considerable work was undertaken by expert consultants to provide independent reports. A complete list of expert consultants is provided here (it should be noted that simply because these consultants were paid by Terramin to undertake this work, should not be taken to mean their work is not independent. The professional reputations of consultants are critical for their future livelihoods. Consultants are engaged by a range of organisations including environmental groups, and government departments and will not risk their continued membership of their respective professional associations).
Experts consulted.
To read in greater detail the relevant section of the MLP that reports on the environmental findings please click here.
Environmental management
Water
Prior to the acquisition of the project, it was understood that management and protection of the regional groundwater was paramount to the success of the operation and of utmost importance to the community.
Please refer to this page for details of water management
Earthworks
All earthworks undertaken will comply with relevant legislation and regulations and any conditions attached to approvals issued by regulatory agencies and will be conducted in line with “Statement of environmental objectives and environmental guidelines for mineral exploration activities in South Australia M33”.
Terramin aims to prevent unnecessary impacts and reinstate sites where disturbance cannot be avoided. Terramin will minimise earthworks through the preferential selection of contractors with tracked equipment and by clearing and levelling the minimum area necessary for the work to be completed safely.
Rehabilitation
Given the sensitivity of the Bird in Hand Gold Mine site, being located within the Western Mount Lofty Ranges Prescribed Water Resources Area and the proximity of residents and irrigators, the rehabilitation of exploration earthworks and drill holes needs to be carried out in a timely, environmentally sensitive and technically appropriate manner and in consultation with the landholder to manage rehabilitation expectations well as well as be reasonable in relation to the exploration works undertaken.
Site design
Preservation and enhancement of the native environment has been the driving objective behind Terramin’s site design.
The site design includes buffer zones around the creek lines of the property and the recently established Native Vegetation Heritage Agreement Area.
40,000 native plants have been established to provide habitat for native species of lizards, insects, marsupials and birds. The site design avoids all significant trees on site. Species selection has been entirely chosen based on local endemic species to maximise vegetation success on local soil and climatic conditions.
Site storm water design does not alter surface water flow volumes entering the sub-catchment, thus not altering the water available for downstream riparian vegetation.
A Phytopthora and Phylloxera Management Plan has been implemented as a precaution.
Once operating, the site will have revegetated 10.5 hectares of land with native vegetation endemic to the area, which will create a biodiversity corridor linking with the Native Vegetation Heritage Agreement area.
A buffer zone around the heritage listed Lone Hand mining chimney has been implemented.
Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR)
The second stage of the application process to obtain State Government approval, is to develop a comprehensive environmental management plan called a Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR). Approval of this plan is mandatory before mining can commence.
