Ramelius has an Environment Policy outlining principles and commitments to ensure its activities are conducted in a responsible manner. It operates inaccordance with the State and Federal legislation and aims to ensure environmental outcomes are consistent with the expectations of its stakeholders.
Click HERE to view our Environment Policy.
Ramelius recognises that its operations are in some of the most water-deprived regions of WA.
The climate in these areas is mostly hot and dry with variable annual rainfall. Ramelius is conscious of water being a valuable resource, not just to its operations but also to the communities and bioregions in which it operates.
We strive for optimal water management by maximising there-use of water and by preferentially utilising sources with no other beneficial users. We do not withdraw freshwater across any of our sites. Water use efficiencies are achieved by effective infrastructure maintenance programs; and the reclamation of water from tailings storage facilities (TSFs) for re-use in the processing circuit and mining areas.
Each site is operated in compliance with water licensing conditions to ensure the Company’s operational impacts are ecologically sustainable, environmentally acceptable, not prejudicial to other current and future needs for water and unlikely to have a detrimental effect on another user or source. The volume of groundwater abstracted is recorded and water quality testing is undertaken to measure impacts to groundwater resources.
Before groundwater licences are issued, hydrogeological analysis is undertaken to understand any risks associated with the abstraction and discharge of water. Annual Groundwater Monitoring Summaries and Annual Audit Compliance Reports are submitted to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation each year.
Putrescible Wastes and Recyclables
Each Ramelius operation manages waste products in accordance with Environmental Protection licences. Ramelius’ priority is to manage putrescible wastes generated by stream and recycle goods as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. Where sites have licensed landfills in operation, putrescible wastes are buried. Waste oils, grease and other hydrocarbon-contaminated wastes are taken to a dedicated licensed management facility for disposal or recycling. Several of our sites have bioremediation pads where hydrocarbon contaminated soils can be rendered inert using biological processes. Other waste products include effluent from wastewater treatment plants.
A formal Hazardous Materials procedure is in place detailing requirements for the purchase, transport, storage, use and disposal of hazardous substances and dangerous goods at Ramelius’ exploration sites. When disposing of hazardous materials, substances undergo a risk assessment. Records of hazardous materials received, stored, and disposed of are maintained, in accordance with the Hazardous Chemical Management Procedure. Ramelius undertakes internal audits of waste management to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. The volume of wastes is measured and reported in the National Pollutant Inventory reporting and in accordance with relevant laws.
Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF)
Ramelius manages a number of TSF’s at Mt Magnet Gold Mine and Edna May Gold Mine which are designed in accordance with the Tailings Dam Code of Practice and classified by an ANCOLD hazard rating which is categorised according to risk. Ramelius completes regular inspections and an annual geotechnical auditing of its operating TSFs, including the preparation and implementation of a site-specific TSF Operating Manual which sets out the safe and environmentally acceptable operating procedures, monitoring and reporting requirements., trigger levels and actions to be taken to rectify any potential deficiencies. The TSF’s undergo an annual geotechnical audit to assess their structure.
In addition, audits against compliance with the operating strategy and monitoring regimen are conducted to ensure these programs effectively detect any potential risks to the environment. Audit reports are lodged with relevant regulators demonstrating our compliance with all conditions. Regulations also require Ramelius to use independent TSF consultant engineers for the design and annual inspection of its TSFs as well as requirements for the provision of information, instruction, training, and supervision that assures the integrity of facilities and the occupational safety and health of personnel working at them.
The chosen location, design, construction method, operational strategy, monitoring and surveillance, emergency response planning and rehabilitation of each TSF undergoes a rigorous risk and environmental impact assessments prior to approval. Specialist engineers are engaged by Ramelius to ensure all factors that can potentially impact the long-term performance of each TSF are considered and addressed. The design process is complex and ensures the integrity and safety of each TSF during; operation; extreme weather and events; and decommissioning.
The potential for acid rock drainage (ARD) impacts to the surrounding environment is measured periodically at TSF monitoring bores designed to detect any seepage leaching into groundwater. Mined waste rock characterisation studies are undertaken prior to the approval to construct any waste rock landforms (WRL). The studies analyse the physical and geochemical characteristics of waste rock which informs the WRL design. Where potentially acid forming materials are identified, WRL designs are modified to encapsulate sulphides. It is acknowledged that Ramelius operates in regions that are unlikely to have climate conditions conducive to producing acid drainage.
Ramelius approaches mine closure in accordance with approved closure criteria and outcomes. Progressive rehabilitation activities are undertaken at its sites to minimise the risk of erosion as well as to regenerate vegetation across disturbed areas. Closure activities are conducted in accordance with approved Mine Closure Plans (MCP). MCPs formalise the process of planning, managing and decommissioning mining projects to an agreed post-mining landscape. In Western Australia, it is a legal requirement that a MCP be submitted to the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS).
Land Function Analysis is used to monitor the health and condition of rehabilitated sites to measure progress toward achieving the agreed post-mining landscape. Consideration is given to environmental, social, and economic factors from an early stage of mine development and throughout the life of projects. Ramelius use a risk and opportunity-based process to guide decision-making in planning and implementing closure-related activities and engage with stakeholders to achieve these commitments. The Rehabilitation Expenditure Procedure ensures consistent application and evaluation to enable appropriate allocation of provision for rehabilitation on a group basis.
Disturbance and rehabilitation data is reported to DEMIRS annually and Ramelius pays a levy in accordance with the Mining Rehabilitation Fund Act. Approved MCPs are publicly available through online system MINEDEX – maintained by DEMIRS.
Ramelius recognises that its activities have the potential to cause harm to the natural environment and that it act upon opportunities to minimise environmental impacts.
Ramelius operates projects located across a range of natural environments with differing biodiversity values. The Company ensures that impacts on biodiversity are managed in accordance with compliance obligations. Ramelius abides by the licences, permits and approvals granted by regulators and follow systems to comply with environmental laws, regulations, and commitments it has made. Each new project and operational expansion is subjected to a rigorous environmental impact assessment. Ramelius undertakes biological surveys to determine baseline values that enables it to manage impacts to the environment.
Ramelius seeks to protect fauna, flora, and vegetation so that biological diversity and ecological integrity are maintained. Ramelius is committed to understanding and monitoring biological values, this is achieved by understanding the environments in which it operates, potential risks to the environment and implementing effective controls to minimise impact. Ramelius conducts regular monitoring to ensure compliance with relevant licences, permits and approvals; make comparisons with baseline data to measure potential impacts to the environment and the success of rehabilitated areas.
