OceanaGold’s modern mine closure philosophy is to leave a site that not only looks good but is also environmentally sustainable. A critical element of the Reefton’s Restoration Project was to manage water seepage and ensure ongoing performance long after the site has been passed on to its future custodians. It was important to OceanaGold that this vision be articulated both clearly and simply.
This video articulates the ingenuity of the passive water filtration system; the dynamic benefits go well beyond the mine rehabilitation phase, and central to this project is the re-establishment of vital ecosystems in the new post-mining landscape. Low cost and low maintenance, this system will be handed over the Department of Conservation upon final closure, becoming a natural pond as part of the surrounding environment.
This story summarizes the detailed research, design and restoration benefits that define the Reefton Restoration Project, now and into the future.