Irvinebank tailings storage facility and state treatment works
The Irvinebank state treatment works processed tin ore from the surrounding mining fields until the 1990s. The site currently contains remnants of the processing buildings and tailings.
Historically, tailings from the state treatment works were discharged into Loudon Dam on Gibbs Creek. However, following the introduction of environmental regulation in the 1980s, tailings deposited in the dam were removed, reprocessed and placed in 2 small cross-valley tailings dams nearby, known as Target Gully.
In 2018, we began remediation of the Target Gully tailings storage facility and implemented significant upgrades, including reprofiling of the tailings, upgrading tailings dam spillways, and revegetation across the site. A key consideration of the project was the management of the critically endangered Purple Wattle Acacia purpureopetala, which has been identified on-site and in the surrounding area.
We worked with key stakeholders including the Mareeba Shire Council, the Mbabaram Aboriginal Corporation (representing the Traditional Owners), and local community groups in developing the remediation options for the site.
The Irvinebank State Treatment Works, also known as Loudoun House, is operated by a local not-for-profit community group as a museum for tourism purposes.
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Project snapshot
Region: North Queensland
Location: 120km south-east of Cairns on the Atherton Tablelands, Latitude -17.431227, Longitude 145.202423
Commodity: Tin
Mining type: Processing and tailings storage
Date of abandonment: 1990s
Status: Care and maintenance
Native title interest: Bar-Barrum people represented by the Mbabaram Aboriginal Corporation
Public land registers: Listed on the Environmental Management Register
Photo gallery
Key risks
Environmental risks associated with long-term integrity of tailings storage facility embankments and drains, including withstanding extreme weather events.
Completed works
- Restricting unauthorised entry to the sites through fencing, gates and signage.
- Capping of tailings material at the Irvinebank State Treatment Works with a rock cover.
- Installation of groundwater monitoring bores.
- Construction of new spillways for both Target Gully tailings dams which are appropriately sized for extreme rainfall events.
- Reprofiling of the Target Gully tailings followed by revegetation of the tailings surface with native species to reduce future tailings erosion and restore biodiversity.
Planned works
- Ongoing monitoring and maintenance as required.