Mine Site

Throughout our 46 years of mine operations in Anglesea, we were driven by a strong commitment to our values of health, safety and protection of the environment. This commitment continues today and guides our rehabilitation and closure activities.

Mine Work Plan

The approved Anglesea Mine Work Plan (Work Plan) was developed to outline the strategy for the continuing operation of the Anglesea Coal Mine by Alcoa of Australia to 2061. It contains broad concepts and a defined process for the mine rehabilitation and closure inclusive of community engagement. Read the full Mine Work Plan for the Alcoa Anglesea Power Station below.

The Work Plan is a legislative requirement of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 as it applies to the Anglesea Coal Mine operations under the Mines (Aluminium Agreement) Act 1961. It is Alcoa’s obligation to comply with the Work Plan requirements, including the rehabilitation and closure process. This obligation is enforced by Earth Resources Regulation of the Victorian Government’s Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR).

Draft Mine Rehabilitation and Closure Plan - 2017

Given the permanent shut down of the power station and mine in August 2015 (45 years earlier than anticipated), concepts within the Work Plan needed to be revised.

The rehabilitation and future landform of the area disturbed by mining is detailed in the draft Mine Rehabilitation and Closure Plan. The document was prepared by Alcoa and submitted for approval to the regulator, Earth Resources Regulation of DEDJTR in 2017. Features include a large water body, extensive rehabilitated areas, and proposed areas including access for future alternative land uses.

Read the Draft Mine Rehabilitation and Closure Plan for the Alcoa Anglesea Power Station here.

Rehabilitation progress

There are three key pieces of work in the Mine Closure and Rehabilitation Plan: the major earthworks program; the vegetation strategy; and the waterbody filling strategy. We have reached a number of major milestones including:

  • Completing the major earthworks program.
  • Installing nine surface water drains and 16 groundwater monitoring wells in and around the periphery of the mine.
  • Relocating a 1.2 kilometre section of Coalmine Road.
  • Continued establishment of native heathy woodland topsoil on the north and west mine walls (13 hectares).
  • Hydroseeding and continued establishment of native grasslands on the south mine wall (53 hectares).
  • Implementing an ongoing monitoring and maintenance program in the mine for earthworks and revegetation including stability, monitoring, erosion repairs and extensive weed management.

Mine water filling strategy

Filling the mine pit with water is a key enabler to finalise the Anglesea Mine Rehabilitation and Closure Plan. To further investigate using groundwater to support the long-term filling strategy, we completed a groundwater pumping test in 2022. During the test we published monthly updates.

Mine Technical Studies

Three major technical assessment components have been undertaken to inform all water aspects, any land potential risks, and a revegetation assessment. These are undertaken by experienced consultants and independently peer reviewed where appropriate:

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