Homestead Managed Aquifer Recharge Trial

Rio Tinto was considering reinjection of excess mine dewatering water as a key strategy for maintaining groundwater baseflow at pre-mining levels to the “Palm Springs” Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem throughout the life of the mine and post-closure.

To support the strategy WGA completed a desktop feasibility study which reviewed the geology, preliminary hydrogeochemical modelling, infrastructure and monitoring networks, risk assessment and management options.

Throughout the trial, WGA provided technical advice on preconditioning of the recharge bores, aquifer hydraulic response; water quality data and completed the analysis and interpretation of the trial results.