Rishton remediation project
The Rishton Gold Mine operated between 1989 and 2009, processing ore from the site and other gold mines in the surrounding area. Prior to abandonment in 2009, the processing plant was removed and some rehabilitation was completed by the former owner. However significant disturbance remained.
The site consisted of 2 open cut pits, one partially filled with tailings, a process water dam, a tailings storage facility, 2 waste rock dumps, remnants of the processing plant and other wastes.
In 2018, we removed all remaining waste from site, landscaped the former process plant area and completed rock capping of the tailings storage facility. Those works were completed in consultation with the landholder and primarily funded from financial assurance held by the state.
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Project snapshot
Region: North Queensland
Location: 36km east of Charters Towers, Latitude -20.132027, Longitude 146.545914
Commodity: Gold
Mining type: Open cut and underground
Date of abandonment: June 2009
Status: Partially remediated with monitoring
Native title interest: Birriah People represented by the Birriah Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Public land registers: Listed on the Environmental Management Register
Photo gallery
Key risks
Health and safety risks associated with residual steep landforms and highwalls at the open pit and waste rock dump.
Environmental risks associated with long-term containment of tailings material onsite.
Completed works
- Removal of waste and re-profiling of the former process plant area.
- Capping of the tailings storage facility with waste rock.
- Re-establishment of clean water diversions.
Planned works
- Periodic monitoring and water sampling.