Heavy rainfall linked to ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily, which has impacted much of central and western New South Wales, could potentially affect Aurelia Metals’ project schedule at its Federation project.
During Monday afternoon and evening, Hera recorded 63 mm of rainfall, Nymagee 78 mm and Priory Tank Road 66 mm.
Significant rain was also observed at the Peak site, near Cobar, and the Dargues site, near Braidwood, but those operations continue to operate as normal.
Aurelia says site inspections have confirmed that the water level in the Hera tailings storage facility has risen, but unless there is further rainfall, a discharge event is unlikely.
Water entering the mine at Federation, which is currently under development, has been directed to the underground mine sumps, but pumping water out of the mine may be slowed by the limited available capacity in surface water storage facilities.
The current rain event follows similar rain events experienced last month. But while Aurelia was confident the impact of the earlier rain on its project schedule could be absorbed, it warned that the latest event has the potential to impact on the development progress while water is being removed at the Peak site, near Cobar, and the Dargues site, near Braidwood, the company said on Tuesday.