Aquifer test to fill mine gets green light

THE long-running issue of where to find the water for the Eden Project’s plans for the former Anglesea coal mine is a step closer to being resolved, with Alcoa receiving permission for a pumping test from a nearby aquifer.

The $150 million proposal for the site is based on the mine void becoming a water body that is at least half full, which would represent about 8-9 gigalitres of water.

Alcoa, which is working with the Eden Project on the proposal, submitted an application to Southern Rural Water to conduct a 12-month pumping test of the Upper Eastern View Aquifer – part of the plan to half-fill the void within five years.

In last month’s Community Update, Alcoa noted filling the mine void with water is a key enabler for not only Eden’s Anglesea concept – which was revealed in May 2019 – but also the Anglesea Mine Rehabilitation and Closure Plan.

Alcoa and Eden’s preferred fill strategy is a combination of surface water (including potential peak flows from Salt Creek), and groundwater.

Alcoa received an amended licence on October 26 to permit the test, and will extract 1.5 gigalitres of water over the next year.

“It is hoped the 12-month activity can commence in early 2021 following final approval from (the Department of) Earth Resources, as the mine regulator, and installation of necessary equipment,” the update states.

“This amount represents less than half the historical annual extraction rate for the power station over the 46 years of operation and is significantly less than the current licence limit of 4 gigalitres per year.

“The test will provide additional information to Alcoa, the regulators and the community to better inform us all about the potential use of the groundwater, and also determine if a longer term sustainable extraction rate can be established.

“The test will include extensive monitoring and monthly reporting.”

According to an Alcoa factsheet about the mine filling strategy and groundwater pumping test, using water from the Upper Eastern View aquifer will allow longer-term filling options to be investigated in the meantime.

“It is the only option that will meet the timeline outlined by Eden Project International for the water body to be filled to at least 50 per cent by about 2024 and will allow the project concept to progress with further design, planning and infrastructure studies.”

Eden Project International chief executive officer David Harland said Eden was as committed to the Anglesea proposal as it was at the start of this year.

“While the project has naturally been delayed, we have taken great hope from the government’s warm words and support, Cape Otway Road Australia’s regional success (the state government gave planning approval to the $350 million project in October), and our partner Alcoa’s patience.

“We know that 2021 will allow us to demonstrate once and for all that the future still remains ours to make.”