DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/605_29
Cite As:
Finucane, S, Hardman, B & Harley, D 2006, 'Planning for Rehabilitation and Closure of the Coburn Mineral Sand Mine at Shark Bay, Western Australia', in AB Fourie & M Tibbett (eds),
Mine Closure 2006: Proceedings of the First International Seminar on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 359-370,
https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/605_29
Abstract:
Gunson Resources Limited (Gunson) is developing the Coburn Mineral Sand Project (the Project) in the
Gascoyne region of Western Australia (Figure 1). The Project comprises the excavation and processing of a
major low-grade mineral sand deposit immediately east of the Shark Bay World Heritage Property.
Approximately 2.8 Mt of Heavy Mineral Concentrate will be dry-mined from nine pits and processed on site
before transport to markets.
As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed Project, a Rehabilitation
Benchmarking Study (RBS) was conducted to demonstrate whether rehabilitation was possible by providing
examples of rehabilitation outcomes under similar conditions. This paper outlines the approach taken in
relation to this study and discusses the key outcomes.
Figure 1 Location map
Mine Closure 2006 ― Andy Fourie and Mark Tibbett (eds)
© 2006 Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, ISBN 0-9756756-6-4
Mine Closure 2006, Perth, Australia 359
References:
Blandford, D.C. (2004) Coburn Mineral Sand Project. Soils and Landforms of the Amy Zone Ore Body, Report
prepared for URS Australia Pty Ltd on behalf of Gunson Resources Limited.
Payne, A.L., Curry, P.J. and Spencer, G.F. (1987) An inventory and condition survey of the Carnarvon Basin, Western
Australia. Western Australian Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin No. 73.
Tongway, D.J. and Hindley, N.L. (2004) Landscape Function Analysis: Procedures for monitoring and assessing
landscapes with special reference to Minesites and Rangelands, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, Canberra, ACT.
URS Australia Pty Ltd (2005) Coburn Mineral Sand Project Public Environmental Review, EPA Assessment No. 1491.
Prepared for Gunson Resources Limited, July 2005.
Planning for Rehabilitation and Closure of the Coburn Mineral Sand Mine
at Shark Bay, Western Australia
S. Finucane, et al.
370 Mine Closure 2006, Perth, Australia