Mine Earth was engaged to provide project management and technical support for the execution of the remedial rehabilitation earthworks for a closed gold mining project in the Goldfields region of WA. The works were undertaken by a local indigenous earthworks contractor and included bulk reprofiling of waste rock dump and ROM pad slopes along with topsoil spreading, contour ripping and seeding.

During the program, the rehabilitation team caught some illegal prospectors excavating and recovering dirt from within one of the works areas. The prospectors were politely asked to leave, which triggered an aggressive reaction and a dangerous getaway in a light vehicle during which they ran over signage and nearly collided with another vehicle.

Fortunately, the Gold Squad were onsite that day attending to another matter. A pursuit by the Gold Squad failed to apprehend the offenders on the day, but evidence collected from the scene led to their apprehension the following week. The offenders were arrested and convicted for gold theft, property destruction and threatening behaviour.

Additional illegal prospecting and excavation in the works area presented a risk to long-term rehabilitation performance including erosion stability, drainage control and vegetation performance. To mitigate this risk the proponent excavated the area of interest and removed the material offsite for processing. A cover of waste rock was applied to the excavated area along with topsoil and the resultant area was ripped and seeded.