Wolfram Camp remediation project
Tungsten was discovered around Wolfram Camp in 1891. While there were various mining operations at the site in the 1970s, the most recent operation was commissioned in 2008 and abandoned in 2018. Wolfram Camp mine was not decommissioned or rehabilitated before it was abandoned, and hazards exist that pose risks to public health and safety, and the environment.
- View a glossary of mining terms used on this page.
The site consists of:
- 2 open pits
- waste rock dumps
- tailings storage facility
- processing equipment
- mine water dam
- waste rock dump
- the Forget Me Not decline
- processing plant
- a waste hydrocarbon storage area.
Project snapshot
Region: North Queensland
Location: 16km north-west of Dimbulah, and approximately 60km west of Mareeba, Latitude -17.084497, Longitude 144.970779
Commodity: Tungsten, molybdenum
Mining type: Open cut and historical underground
Date of abandonment: December 2018
Status: Remediation ongoing and re-commercialisation is being investigated
Native title interest: Djungan People, represented by the Nguddaboolgan Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (NNTAC)
Public land registers: Listed on the Environmental Management Register
Photo gallery
Key risks
Health and safety risks associated with:
- abandoned processing plant and equipment
- hazardous wastes and hydrocarbons
- open pit, waste rock stockpile and historic shaft/mine entrance
- exposed loose surface tailings susceptible to wind and rainfall erosion.
Environmental risks associated with:
- poor-quality water as a result of acid and metalliferous drainage from the mine pit, and overburden dumps and tailings storage facility
- groundwater contamination as a result of acid metalliferous drainage.
Completed works
- Installation of evaporator system to reduce mine pit water
- Drainage works to maximise clean water diversion
- Reprofiling and revegetation of waste rock stockpile
- Removal of hazardous waste and hydrocarbons
- Environmental site assessment to identify residual contamination
- Recommissioning mains power to the site to reduce costs to the state and increase power security for site maintenance
- Installation of water pumps to capture mine-affected water and prevent discharge
Planned works
We are investigating and developing long-term management and remediation options in consultation with key stakeholders and Traditional Owners. Re-commercialisation of the site is also being investigated. Read more about the pilot program.