Will erosion from the Ranger or Jabiluka mines, after they have been rehabilitated uncover tailings and allow contamination of the environment?
As all tailings will be contained below ground level at Ranger and Jabiluka there is no risk of erosion of final landforms releasing such contaminants. Analysis of a previously proposed above-ground post-mining landform at ERA’s Ranger mine showed that the landform, if well vegetated, will suffer little erosion during the first 1000 years after rehabilitation and that contaminants should not be exposed to the environment. This type of analysis can be used to support decisions on design of containment structures constructed of waste rock material.
