Research

Dust

Crosslands has commissioned a Masters project, in conjunction with the University of Western Australia, to examine potential impacts of dust loading on different plant functional types (PFTs) of the Jack Hills Banded Ironstone Formation (BIF) ranges. The research project will include a review of the current state of knowledge of the impact of dust on vegetation associated with mining operations. The review will also focus on the physical and biological effects of anthropogenic dust with specific emphasis on predicting the potential impacts on the Triodia melvillei plant communities of the slopes and ridges of the Jack Hills. The study will investigate which PFTs are more susceptible to negative impacts of dust and thus aims to identify indicator species that can be used for dust monitoring.

Rehabilitation

G&G Environmental Pty Ltd is currently engaged by Crossland’s to research propagation and revegetation strategies for dominant plant species in Priority Ecological Communities (PEC’s), particularly Triodia melvillei, at the Jack Hills operation. Three potential propagule sources, harvested seed, soil-stored seed and vegetative propagation, will be trialled.

The outcomes of the research project will provide a summary of successful propagation and revegetation procedures for Triodia species, recommendations for topsoil management of Triodia melvillei populations to maximise revegetation potential and recommendations for future research into propagation and revegetation of Triodia melvillei.

Vibration

Crosslands is undertaking an adaptive management program to monitor the long term effects of vibration from drilling activities in the vicinity of shield-back trapdoor spider (Idiosoma nigrum) burrows. This co-operative research will assist all companies operating in Western Australia’s mid-west iron province on how to undertake exploration and mining activities while minimising the impact from vibration on the spiders.

The Schedule 1 spider species (Idiosoma nigrum) is protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and by a Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) exploration drilling exclusion buffer declared within 200m of burrows.

Crosslands engaged Phoenix Environmental scientists to conduct vibration simulation research, in consultation with the DEC, which has resulted in the Department implementing a reduction in the buffer zone to 25m for new exploration drilling because vibration from drilling had no short term impact on the spiders.

Feral goats

Feral goats are possibly the greatest threat to native vegetation in the Midwest region of Western Australia. A ‘Cooperative Environmental Research Project’ has been initiated to study the impacts of overgrazing by goats on native vegetation. The research is funded by the Geraldton Iron Ore Alliance (GIOA), of which Crosslands is a member. The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC), Murdoch and Curtin universities, and property owners in the region are all playing an important role in this Project.

DEC has 27 plots that have been fenced off to exclude goats. Additional plots will be setup, to compliment the DEC study, in areas that are heavily grazed by goats. The vegetation within these plots will be compared with vegetation in non-fenced areas. The recovery of vegetation within the goat exclusion plots, after years of overgrazing, will be measured by scientists from Murdoch and Curtin universities..

Areas of Excellence

Soiltac

Crosslands has adopted the use of a biodegradable product known as Soiltac, which stabilises soil, improving operational safety, reducing erosion, and suppressing dust.

Soiltac has traditionally been applied using water cannons or dribble bars and was originally developed for the US military. However, Crosslands is the first company in Australia to use the bonding liquid at the source of dust generation. A Western Australian company were commissioned to design and construct portable automated dosing units, which mix and apply the product, based on varying crusher throughput. Crosslands is able to coat its product at the source at Jack Hills, which eliminates the generation of dust throughout the entire materials handling chain.

Crosslands has used the product across all operations since commencing trials in November 2008. The successful implementation of this innovative system has enhanced environmental protection measures for dust generation from iron ore stockpiles, crushing plant and roads at Crosslands’ Jack Hills mine site.

Spiders

Crossland’s endorsement and financial support of the innovative Idiosoma nigrum research project at Jack Hills has led to some significant outcomes for management of the species, and consequently, the Midwest iron ore industry.

The listing of Idiosoma nigrum as a Schedule 1 species was a precautionary measure related to a known reduction in distribution over the previous 50 years, a lack of ‘recent’ species distribution records, and gaps in the knowledge of the species’ biology. However, the exploration exclusion buffer zone applied by DEC to known spider populations created a significant restriction to exploration drilling programs, and thus mine project development in the Midwest.

The research project has led to a greater understanding of Idiosoma nigrum ecology, particularly in relation to the resilience of the species to disturbance from exploration activities. On the basis of the Phase 1 and 2 survey results from the research project, the DEC granted a conditional amendment to Program of Work conditions to reduce the exploration exclusion buffer from 200 m to 25 m (and less than 25 m on a case by case basis) at Jack Hills and elsewhere in the Midwest region.

This intensive research project has considerably increased the knowledge of a short-range endemic / Schedule 1 species in WA, and goes far beyond ordinary regulatory compliance requirements. The project sets a new benchmark for scientific research in the mining industry.