Water management at the Carmichael Mine
Water is a precious resource and Bravus is committed to its sustainable use in the construction and operation of our Carmichael Mine.
Like every other Australian mine, water use is strictly regulated at the Carmichael Mine.
The sources of water the mine uses and when, and how much water is used, is all detailed in the conditions and regulations set by the Australian and Queensland Governments.
These conditions and limits have been determined based on comprehensive scientific assessments as part of the approval processes for the mine.
Bravus monitors and reports on these activities to sustainably manage our water use.
Fast facts
- The mine will not use water from the Great Artesian Basin (GAB)
- Safeguards have been put in place in case there is seepage from the GAB to the mine
- Bravus cannot take water from the Suttor River in drought
- Bravus can only take limited water from the Suttor River in flood after farmers and other users and must pay commercial rates for any water used
- A flood levee wall and 500m buffer zone on each side of the Carmichael River will separate the mine from the river
- The mine has more than 120 bores to monitor groundwater quality and water levels
- The Doongmabulla Springs are located more than eight kilometres from the mining lease and 11 kilometres from any active mining operations.
How is groundwater monitored?
New monitoring bores have been installed on the mining lease boundary to closely monitor groundwater.
Bravus has also upgraded river flow gauging stations on the Carmichael River and Belyando River to continuously monitor water flows and water quality.
Groundwater monitoring is regularly conducted at more than 135 sites to observe water levels.