Sean FitzGibbon is speaking at the Mine Rehabilitation and Closure conference. For more information about this event, please visit http://www.minerehabilitation.com.au , call +61 2 9229 1000 or email enquire@iqpc.com.au

1. Q&A with Sean FitzGibbon: Integrating Wildlife Into Mine
Closure Practices
Mine Rehabilitation and Closure 2011
www.minerehabilitation.com.au
1. We understand you're a Wildlife Researcher - can you give us an overview of how
your work and research fits in with mine closure and rehabilitation?
I research koalas on mine sites, looking at how to manage & conserve them throughout the
life of mine. A major component of my work concerns mine closure and rehabilitation, to
ensure post-mining landscapes can once again support wild koala populations. To do this
we need to understand the needs of koalas (e.g. local food tree preferences, home range
requirements) which is where our ‘Koala Venture’ research partnership with Rio Tinto fits in.
I collar and monitor the movements of wild koalas at two RTCA mines in central
Queensland.
At Blair Athol Coal Mine, we have found koalas are utilising rehab areas only 12yrs old,
eating and sleeping in ironbarks and spotted gums that are only 6-8m tall. Connectivity to
intact forest seems very important too, despite the ability of koalas to move long distances
on the ground. These are the sort of scientific findings that are invaluable in guiding mine
closure and rehabilitation efforts for koala conservation.
When mining companies are planning for closure and rehabilitation, what do you feel
they should foremost consider?
The desired end-use of the post-mining landscape has to be the foremost consideration to
guide rehabilitation strategies. Hopefully this will usually involve an aim of restoring wildlife
habitat to some extent even where is it impractical to aim for what was once naturally-
occurring. My research is focused on koalas but land managers obviously need to take a
broader approach and try to maximise recolonisation by a range of native species to
restore ecosystem function.
In your opinion, do all mines have the same impact on the environment? Or are
some have greater effect?
Without doubt there is variability in the environmental impact of mines. This is influenced by
a range of factors such as the ore/mineral being mined, the extraction and processing
methods employed, as well as the state and ecological value of the landscape prior to
mining. Unfortunately, I think mines are often tarred with the same brush in terms of public
perception, but there is an enormous spectrum in environmental accountability.
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2. How can mining companies better integrate wildlife into their closure practices? How
can environmental managers be well-prepared for this during mine closure?
The first step is for land managers to have a solid understanding of what wildlife
occurs/occurred on their site, and then to know how (or if) they can provide for the
ecological needs of these species in their rehabilitation. This is where science must inform
practice.
Research has demonstrated the value of even relatively simple measures, such as placing
logs or piles of dead wood in rehabilitated areas to provide micro-habitats for a range of
little critters like skinks, geckos, snakes and frogs. Follow-up tubestock plantings, provision
of artificial bird and bat boxes, introduced predator control – there are a range of measures
so managers have to take an integrated approach and tailor it to the specific challenges at
their site.
What do you see as the biggest impediments to effective mine rehabilitation?
Unfortunately, I think mine site rehabilitation can fall down the list of priorities. Achieving
effective rehabilitation is not an easy task, especially in areas with harsh environmental
conditions, so those charged with doing so need to be properly resourced and supported.
Mining companies need to walk the talk and invest appropriately in landscape restoration,
and there are some great examples of progressive mines doing just that. Conversely,
government regulators need to hold to account those mines not performing adequately. It’s
a complex issue and although we have made some major advances in recent times, I think
our industry needs to aim for continual improvement and there is still plenty of room for that
overall.
Dr. Sean FitzGibbon is speaking at the Mine Rehabilitation and Closure conference
this June. For more information about this event, please visit
www.minerehabilitation.com.au or call 02 9229 1000. Or email enquire@iqpc.com.au
You can also follow Mining IQ on Twitter, @MiningIQ
Dr Sean FitzGibbon
Koala Venture Researcher
Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation
The University of Queensland
St Lucia QLD 4072
s.fitzgibbon@uq.edu.au
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