Client: Fitzroy Australia Resources - Queensland operations

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Location: Central Queensland

Operations: 

• Ironbark No.1 (Underground)
• Carborough Downs (Underground)
• Broadlea (Open cut)

Commodity: Coal

Project Timeframe: September 2022 – Current (Ongoing)

Direct Services Provided:  Appointed Statutory Mine Surveyors

•    Underground & Surface Operational Surveys
•    Drone Volumetric Surveys (EOM)
•    Drone Methane Emissions Surveys
•    Infrastructure Monitoring
•    Ad Hoc Opencut Surveys

Partnered Services Provided:    

•    Ventilation Shaft Scanning
•    Highway Pavement Condition Assessment
•    Bathymetric Surveys

Description:

Since 2022, Greenwich Surveying have been engaged to provide surveying services to Fitzroy Mining Operations, located in the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland. The operation includes two underground coal mines, one open cut coal mine and a network of haulage and coal preparation operations.

Due to a scarcity of experienced mining surveyors, Greenwich Surveying were initially engaged to provide operational surveying services to assist with the set-up of the brand-new Ironbark No.1 underground coal mine and statutory mine surveying coverage for the entire complex. Due to the success of our initial engagement, our services on site have grown to include the provision of a number of specialist surveying services on site, enabling Greenwich to address our client’s most complex measurement problems.

“Because Greenwich provides the statutory surveying function at both Ironbark No.1 and Carborough Downs, our client relies on us to help solve operational and statutory problems and offer efficiencies in process and mine design, particularly in the challenging Mains drivage which is typically at a 1 in 6 grade at Ironbark” John Macpherson – Director and General Manager

Fitzroy Mining Operations are bound by their strict mining lease and environmental authority conditions, which requires certain standards to be met. Additionally, operational and safety requirements add another layer of governance to ensure the safety of their operations.

To assist in ensuring their obligations are met, Greenwich have provided the following specialist services.

(1)  Drone Methane emission surveys to assess the condition of a Longwall Goaf and potential oxygen paths into the panel prior to sealing and inertisation.

(2)  Survey Monitoring of surface infrastructure adjacent to underground mining to ensure the ongoing integrity and safety of structures. The solution included mm accuracy monitoring, automated daily reports and automated text and email messaging if pre-determiner triggers were exceeded.

(3)  Drone EOM Stockpile surveys for reconciliation of coal mined and saleable coal tonnes, with rapid reporting.

(4)  Ventilation shaft scanning and HD video capture of an active shaft to assess the geotechnical condition and provide a baseline survey for future captures.

(5)  Bathymetric surveys of mine tailings dams to assess the effective water holding capacity of each dam and creation of storage curves, to allow to site water management and potential de-silting operations.

(6)  Highway Pavement Condition Assessment for TMR to assess the condition of public roads pre and post mining.

Importantly, Greenwich have been able to offer a stable workforce for our client in a tight market which enables continuity of knowledge and services. We are also responsible for mentoring and training our client’s trainees and staff to ensure their development.