The Bylong Coal project is a proposed open-cut and underground coal mine located in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wale. It occurs within the Sydney Basin and targets the Illawarra Coal Measures. We were engaged to complete a groundwater study to form part of the Environmental Impact Statement.
The project is in a ridge area adjacent to a thin alluvial aquifer system that is utilised for agricultural purposes within the region. A key challenge was to understand the connectivity between Illawarra Coal Measures and Bylong River alluvial aquifer and to quantify potential impacts.
KEPCO implemented an extensive field program to characterise these key groundwater systems. We used this data to gain an in-depth understanding of the hydrogeological regime and to develop a conceptual groundwater model. We also developed a numerical groundwater model to simulate natural groundwater processes and replicate system stresses, including mining and bore abstraction to quantify potential changes due to the project.
Hansen Bailey on behalf of KEPCO Bylong Australia Pty Ltd
Bylong Coal: groundwater study
Mining
Conceptual groundwater model, numerical groundwater model
The outcomes included:
We also assisted by responding to submissions on the project and engaging with key stakeholders including government and the community.
Our team’s expertise is in groundwater modelling, field services, approvals and licensing, water supply, contaminant investigation, expert advisory, and hydrogeochemistry. Learn more about our services by clicking the link below.