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Accelerated Discovery Initiative ¦ 2019 Copper to the World conference ¦ Geological Survey of South Australia Discovery Day 2019

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The water quality monitoring program was established to determine:

  • Heavy metal loads entering the Dawesley Creek from the site - this is achieved by measuring stream flow and metal concentration upstream and downstream of the mine (annual and seasonal).
  • The (biological) extent of impact of the mine (i.e. the zone of impact) on Dawesley Creek and the Bremer River - biological (macro-invertebrate) monitoring is done on a quarterly basis.
  • The temporal and spatial variations of pH and heavy metals concentrations within the zone of impact - grab sampling program is undertaken monthly.

Temporal and spatial water quality monitoring

Annual and seasonal loads of various chemical contaminants entering Dawesley Creek from the mine waste is determined by:

  • Continual logging of creek flow
  • Collection of flow-rate proportional composite samples

Composite water samples are collected fortnightly from a station upstream of the site and another downstream. Flow data and the chemical analysis of the composite samples are tabulated and reported annually.

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Biological monitoring

Biological monitoring in the Dawesley Creek–Bremer River system commenced in September 1996 with the selection of six monitoring sites. A control is located upstream and five are downstream of the Brukunga mine site. Stream sampling is performed on a quarterly basis for the Department for Energy and Mining by a biologist from the Australian Water Quality Centre (AWQC).

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For more information, contact:

For inquiries relating to the Brukunga Mine Site:


Principal Project Manager
Mining Regulation Branch
GPO Box 320
ADELAIDE SA 5001

Email: DEM.MiningRegRehab@sa.gov.au
Brukunga postal address
PO Box 283
NAIRNE SA 5252

Treatment Plant
Watts Rd
BRUKUNGA SA 5252