Background
SGME conducted a soil survey and land suitability assessment to support closure planning and determine application requirements for amending an environmental licence. The site is a proposed large-scale open cut metallurgical coal mine located in the Bowen Basin of Central Queensland. It is currently in the feasibility and planning stage.
Objective
The client required a soil survey and assessment of land suitability / capability to inform their closure plan and to provide baseline information that fulfilled the application requirements for amending an environmental licence. The survey needed to physically and chemically characterise soil throughout the potential disturbance footprint.
Solution
In-situ testing and sampling was completed by SGME. For each soil sample, a detailed profile description was provided including (but not limited to) colour, texture, pedality and the amount of coarse material in each horizon. Soil samples and additional bulk samples were tested and analysed to complete the chemical and physical characterisations.
All soils were classified to suborder level and assessed for fertility and erosion potential. Based on these assessments, a land suitability / capability assessment was performed to assess the potential for soil to sustain a post-mining land use. Our deliverable had high regard for the government’s closure planning guidelines, described the suitability of soil for use in rehabilitation and identified key management considerations.
Our expertise in soil and land resource assessment, supported by certified professional soil scientists, ensures accuracy of surveys, data and analyses, and results in comprehensive insights for informed decision-making, sustainable land management and environmental protection.
