Buttress Construction Project

The Buttress Construction Project at Ernest Henry Mine is a significant infrastructure development which enhances the stability and capacity of the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF). The project involves constructing a substantial buttress to support the existing TSF and improve its operational efficiency. This undertaking is critical for managing tailings storage and ensuring the safe and sustainable operation of the mine.

Project Scope of Works The project involves range of activities including:

• Buttress Construction - approximately 3,000,000 cubic meters of fill material will be placed to construct a robust buttress. This buttress is designed to provide additional support to the existing TSF, increasing its stability and allowing for expanded storage capacity

• Seepage Drains - installation of advanced seepage drainage systems is a key component of the project. These drains will manage and control water flow through the tailings storage area, preventing excessive seepage and ensuring the integrity of the TSF

• Buttress Foundation - a solid foundation will be constructed for the buttress, involving excavation, compaction, and stabilisation of the base to provide a secure and durable support structure

• Embankment Modifications - modifications to existing embankments may be required to integrate the new buttress effectively. This includes reinforcing or extending embankment structures to accommodate the additional fill material

• Access & Maintenance Roads - construction of access roads around the TSF to facilitate the movement of personnel and equipment during and after the project.

Relevance to Ensham’s Y Pit Coal Recovery & Rehabilitation Services: This project is directly relevant to Ensham’s Y Pit Coal Recovery & Rehabilitation Services due to the use of a similar fleet, including loading tools and trucks of the same size. The familiarity with equipment and operational setup ensures that we can seamlessly transition our expertise and best practices to the Y Pit project. By using comparable machinery and techniques, we can guarantee consistent performance, optimise efficiency, and achieve high standards in both coal recovery and site rehabilitation.