Gove Pond 5 Rehabilitation
Multi-year caustic bauxite tailings storage pond closure requiring complex environmental controls and stakeholder coordination in the Northern Territory.
Project Overview
Gove Pond 5 was a caustic bauxite tailings storage pond at the Gove alumina refinery in the Northern Territory, Australia, that is currently undergoing closure and rehabilitation. The multi-year project involves reshaping the pond, installing a liner and cap, and building drainage systems to allow for the release of rainfall runoff, which helps reduce the liquor inventory and assists in the consolidation and seepage reduction of the remaining red mud.
The Pond 5 closure is one part of the overall Gove operations closure program, which includes dismantling the refinery and rehabilitating the site to create a positive legacy for the region.
Key Project Aspects
Purpose
To cap the pond and reduce its environmental impact, which helps with the ongoing closure of the broader Gove operations.
Materials
The pond contains red mud, a bauxite residue, and the project involves installing a textured geomembrane liner and a multi-layer cap.
Drainage Systems
Extensive perimeter and internal drainage systems are constructed to manage and release rainfall runoff from the capped pond.
Benefits of Capping
Capping the pond reduces infiltration, which aids in the consolidation of the red mud and decreases seepage into the surrounding environment.
Project Team & Stakeholders
Rio Tinto
The owner and operator of the Gove operations, responsible for the overall closure program and environmental rehabilitation.
McCosker Contracting
A contractor involved in the civil works for the pond capping, working closely with PPSS on scheduling and controls.
Insight Survey
Provided survey management, including machine guidance and earthworks set out for the rehabilitation works.
Red Earth Engineering
Involved in the project and noted that the HDPE geomembrane is a key element in the capping system.
PPSS Role & Services
PPSS provided key project scheduling & controls support including on and offsite support for this complex multi-year environmental rehabilitation project.
Scheduling Support
- Multi-year project timeline management
- Environmental milestone coordination
- Stakeholder alignment and reporting
Controls Support
- Progress tracking across complex work packages
- Environmental compliance monitoring
- Risk management and mitigation planning
Project Outcome
Successful closure and rehabilitation of the caustic bauxite tailings storage pond, contributing to the broader Gove operations closure program and creating a positive legacy for the region. The comprehensive scheduling and controls support ensured environmental compliance while maintaining project momentum across the multi-year timeline.
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