Scoping for geohazards – Environmental contrasts comparing the Engineering Geologist’s role between mining, civil road tunnels, dam design and pumped hydro

The Engineering Geologist plays a pivotal role, using their geological background to nominate possible geohazards, specifically associated with a project’s lithological conditions. An artifice of being a “specialist on everything”, the Engineering Geologist is often expected to use their varied project experience to advise on how the nominated hazards are identified in the field, develop health and safety management plans and generate solutions that will allow for project development to continue, through mitigation or elimination for construction and design stages.

This paper explores a series of case studies, comparing the understanding of site specific geohazards associated with 1) iron ore open pit mining in the Pilbara, 2) civil road tunnel construction projects in Sydney, 3) dam foundation design at Mount Bold Dam, and 4) the geohazards already identified and under consideration for the proposed pumped hydro energy storage project, Borumba. It delves into the geohazards associated with each project and discusses what factors influence safety considerations, and which impact design, construction and/or waste management. Specific geohazards discussed are airborne hazards (fibrous and silica minerals); effects of dewatering, including dispersive or dissolvable materials; geomorphology; waste rock and water; and man-induced geohazards. It discusses the Engineering Geologists role in proofing the risk and actions required to enable project development to work around or with the hazard, via engineering control and mitigation.

It explores the factor of project scale, the influence that has on geohazard considerations and in particular the quantum of investigation required.