Environment

 

Talison Lithium is committed to sustainable development and regards the environmental management and rehabilitation of mining sites as among its highest priorities.  The company continuously reviews and improves its environmental management system to reduce the impact of mining at the site and on the neighbouring community at Greenbushes.

The Greenbushes Lithium Operations has stringent environmental operating conditions.  It is certified to International Standards ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management Systems Requirements and ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System Requirements by BVQI.  This is an important achievement as all of Talison Lithium's final products are made, packaged and shipped to customers from the Greenbushes Lithium Operations.

The company's key environmental responsibilities are to:

  • rehabilitate mined land and re-establish a self sustaining, native forest ecosystem
  • minimise the spread of weeds on site according to our Integrated Weed Management Plan
  • ensure the quality of local water resources are maintained
  • ensure nearby residents are not adversely affected by the operations
  • reduce, reuse and recycle waste wherever possible

 
 Click here to read Talison Lithium's Environmental Policy.

Dust

Fugitive dust emissions are an issue on many mine sites.  Dust can be generated from haul roads, stockpiles, stacks and tailings dams.

Control of dust at Greenbushes involves:

  • applying water to unsealed roads and stockpiles
  • using dust suppressing chemicals for inactive stockpiles
  • baghouse and scrubbers to reduce stack emission
  • re-vegetation for unused open areas


Specific controls are required for the Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF). There is approximately 130ha of exposed area on the currently unused TSF. Strategies to control dust in this area include seeding accessible areas with an annual grass (e.g. triticale, rye grass) and the application of a chemical dust suppressant.

In 2007, Talison Lithium aerially applied a chemical dust suppressant to control dust emissions on the inactive TSF with great success.  Aerial application was required due to the nature of the tails dam and accessibility issues.  The chemical dust suppressant was selected due to its inert, non-hazardous nature and its durability.  Fugitive dust emissions were eliminated, even in strong winds.

Waste Management

In the late 1990s Greenbushes began a strategy to reduce the amount of waste generated.

The strategy aimed to:

  • reduce solid waste going into landfill
  • minimise packaging waste by buying in bulk
  • re-use potential waste materials whenever possible
  • recycle waste streams that can be recycled

 

Specific initiatives in waste minimisation and recycling include:

  • re-using/recycling used timber and pallets
  • reducing packaging materials for equipment and supplies
  • separate collection and lay down areas for scrap metal, polypipe, batteries and used bulka bags
  • introduction of co-mingled recycling
  • employee awareness and education

 

Weed Management

Integrated Weed Management (IWM) combines multiple weed management techniques aimed at reducing weed density. The objective is to manage the weeds using a variety of control measures.  In this way, weeds are less likely to develop an evasion strategy, for example a resistance to herbicides.

Ultimately, the aim of IWM is to prevent weeds setting seeds, or vegetatively reproducing, so that the weed population is reduced over time, reducing weed competition and preserving natural environment.

Greenbushes Lithium Operations supports the State Weed Plan and its principles.  Our operations utilise best practice weed management by using mechanical, chemical, biological or chemical methods to mange weeds.

Water Management

The Greenbushes Lithium Operations are located in the Blackwood Valley Catchment.  Water for processing is sourced from rainfall and stored in several process dams (old mining voids) located on the site, with the majority of the water used being recovered and recycled through our water circuit.  Surface water quality is measured and reported on a monthly basis.

Monitor bores located around the process plant and tailing dams are monitored quarterly to ensure the operation has minimal impact on ground water quality.

Incident Reporting

Talison Lithium encourages a positive reporting culture which enables employees to raise reports on issues that may need to be investigated and corrected or improved. A database system is utilised to monitor these reports and actions generated out of the investigations, and provides a follow-up reporting mechanism to ensure that they are completed and signed off. The reporting of incidents drives continual improvement by ensuring each incident is investigated, and processes and procedures are altered to prevent further occurrences. Such incidents may include hydrocarbon spills, dusty environments, water quality anomalies, community contacts regarding site issues and product transport issues.

Rehabilitation

Talison Lithium's Greenbushes mining leases cover State Forest (managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation) and privately owned land near Greenbushes. Rehabilitation programmes for historical and inactive sites are managed with the assistance of local regulators. The goal is to return them back to State Forest classification and for community use. Completion criteria have been established with the regulators and require the company to re-establish a self-sustaining native forest whilst maintaining recreation, conservation, landscape and hydrology ideals.

The process of rehabilitation involves initial earthworks to reform the landscape, spreading of a 'topsoil' layer (usually soft rock or lateritic clay due to a lack of organic, native seed containing topsoil), ripping and contouring to improve drainage and promote root growth. Any available forest litter or logs are spread to provide habitat for local fauna.

Seeds, collected by local contractors from within a 15km radius of the mine site, are then spread followed by planting of jarrah and marri seedlings. The success of rehabilitation is monitored annually by assessing the variety of species, and the density of plants growing in the area.

Energy Efficiency Opportunities Public Report

The Energy Efficiency Opportunities program run by the Commonwealth Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism encourages large energy-using businesses to improve their energy efficiency. It does this by requiring businesses to identify, evaluate and report publicly on cost effective energy saving opportunities.

Businesses participating in Energy Efficiency Opportunities are required to undertake a detailed energy assessment in order to identify opportunities to improve energy use, and to report publicly on the outcomes.

The reporting of the "annual energy usage, any new assessments and the progress of the Energy Efficiency Opportunities that have been identified" has been completed and highlighted in the reports below:

 

Rehabilitation programs are aimed at preserving and maintaining the local environment

Employee awareness and education of recycling is part of Talison Lithium’s waste management strategy