The Queensland Coordinator-General in considering the environmental impact assessment reports for expanding bauxite mining on Cape York Peninsula concluded that expansion could proceed subject to a number of conditions and recommendations. This included recommendation 6 that directed the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) undertake work to determine and report on the sustainable capacity of the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) in the Cape York region to inform on any future development in the region.
To deliver this report DNRM requested that the Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation (DSITI) undertake an assessment of the availability of groundwater resources and the potential impacts of proposed increased groundwater extraction from the GAB.
Following an assessment of all available hydrogeological data across Cape York Peninsula, several key knowledge gaps were identified. To address these knowledge gaps a drilling program was designed to better define the stratigraphy and hydrogeology of the GAB, and to expand the monitoring bore network across Cape York Peninsula.
During the Cape York Peninsula drilling program, four test holes were drilled at three sites. Three monitoring bores were constructed and one test hole was decommissioned. Data collected included rock chip and groundwater samples, field water quality and yield data, and wireline logs. Interpretation of this data to better define the stratigraphy of the region allowed for the development of more refined hydrogeological conceptual and groundwater flow models.
The Cape York Peninsula drilling program produced the key project outcomes of improving the monitoring bore network across Cape York Peninsula and also meeting set objectives and targets. The drilling program closed knowledge gaps and provided data for improved assessment and modelling of groundwater systems in the region.