Water monitoring

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Water monitoring

Water monitoring

Fosterville Gold Mine undertakes routine water sampling at designated monitoring locations, including dams, pits, groundwater bores, drains and external sites such as the Campaspe River and Axe Creek.

Water monitoring is conducted to ensure that FGM’s operations do not impact on the water quality downstream of the mining site or to nearby groundwater users or associated aquatic ecosystems.

Surface water monitoring provides information on the integrity of the storm water management system, which is designed to capture run-off from waste rock dumps and internal roads through a network of dams and drains.

At the same time surface water from upstream of the mine site, is diverted to ensure it remains unimpacted by the mining operation.

Water quality is compared against the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZECC Guidelines) to identify any water quality exceedances. If exceedances occur, the water quality data is compared against the historical trends to identify any potential mine impact.

What monitoring methods are used?

Water quality sampling is usually undertaken on a monthly basis, with some sites sampled more or less frequently. Water samples are also taken after large rainfall events when the creeks and drains are more actively flowing.

Surface water samples are collected using a long pole that can extend out into open water bodies.
Groundwater samples are collected from bores using pumps.

Samples are sent to a NATA accredited laboratory for testing and the results are entered into a database.

The results from the monitoring program are provided to the regulators (Earth Resources Regulation, Goulburn Murray Water and Environment Protection Agency) and are discussed at FGM’s quarterly Environmental Review Committee meetings.

Video

Honeyeater Bushland Reserve
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Community initiatives

Rain water sampling

Many residents surrounding Fosterville Gold Mine rely on rainwater tanks for domestic water supply.

In 2020 FGM initiated a rain water sampling program for local residents where suitability qualified environmental professionals employed by FGM collect rainwater tank samples, which are then analysed by a NATA accredited laboratory.

Results from the sampling program are compared against the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG), with these results then provided to the landholder.

Maps

Surface Water Monitoring Sites

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Ground Water Monitoring Sites

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Agnico Eagle Fosterville acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land we live and work on, the Dja Dja Wurrung and the Taungurung Peoples of the Kulin Nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

Water monitoring