Doral Mineral Sands, Initial Hydrogeological Review of the Yalyallup proposed mineral sand mine

04 Feb Doral Mineral Sands, Initial Hydrogeological Review of the Yalyallup proposed mineral sand mine

Doral proposes to mine Heavy Mineral Sands
within the Yoganup Formation and overlying
Bassendean Sand at Yalyallup. The superficial
sequence will need to be dewatered to allow dry
working.

An initial hydrogeological review was undertaken
to assess the site environment and the potential
impacts from the development. The surface
water hydrology of the area was reviewed; the
site is located within the Sabina River catchment,
which flows into the sensitive Vasse-Wonnerup
wetlands at the coast. Run-off from the site area
and groundwater baseflow contribution to surface
water flow and quality was estimated

Unconfined groundwater is present at shallow
depth within the superficial aquifer. Groundwater
within the underlying regional Leederville aquifer
is confined beneath a thick clay sequence at the
site.

There are a number of local groundwater users
for agricultural purposes near to the site. In
addition there are numerous groundwater
dependent ecosystems (GDEs) that could
potentially be affected by the dewatering.

Analytical modelling was undertaken to assess
dewatering requirements and the extent of
water table drawdown.

Potential effects were assessed and where
needed possible mitigation measures were
proposed to offset any likely impacts identified.

Stuart Jeffries
Hydrosolutions Pty Ltd

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