Quarry Rehabilitation for Ecosystems: IQA Central West Sub-Branch Visit Northparkes Mine
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Quarrying activities often entail significant local environmental impacts, as the soil is always removed and the topography is always altered. Quarrying activities can also impact on local ecosystems and watersheds.
During or after extraction, opportunities arise to rehabilitate the area, and to ensure the biodiversity is maintained or even enhanced. The rehabilitation activities depend on the area's biogeographic conditions, local partners and expertise, and company motivation.
To see how the benefits of effective quarry rehabilitation can outweigh the long-term costs to quarries and to the natural environment and local communities, the IQA Central West Sub-Branch visited Northparkes Mine on 23 February 2011 to view their responsible rehabilitation activities.
The site visit provided the opportunity for participants to share learning and disseminate good practice, and to improve rehabilitation practices at their quarries.
Further information on the good work that is being undertaken at Northparkes can be viewed at www.northparkes.com.au/sustainable_development.aspx
