Risk & Rehabilitation

From 1 July 2027, Victorian mine and quarry operators will be required to proactively identify and manage risks across the lifecycle of their operations. This includes work and rehabilitation, and requires operators to review controls as circumstances and information change.

Polygon Geospatial provides spatial data and analysis that can support this process. 

Drone flyover of a sand quarry in the final stages of rehabilitation. Flyovers enable inspection of the site visually, to identify potential issues and track rehabilitation effectiveness. More detailed photogrammetric surveys can provide objective measures of volumes, areas and elevations. 

A changing site means changing risks.

Extraction, stockpiles, landforms, drainage, rehabilitation and site infrastructure all change over time. Regular spatial monitoring provides an objective record of those changes and can help identify issues before they become bigger problems.

Polygon Geospatial combines drone data, geospatial analysis and geological expertise to help operators identify, document and monitor site risks and rehabilitation progress.

From spatial data to practical action, we can help identify and track issues such as:

• Erosion and drainage

• Changes to landforms and batters

• Ponding and water movement

• Expanding disturbance

• Rehabilitation progress

• Cover material availability

• Stockpile and material movements

• Infrastructure and access

• Changes around site boundaries

The information can be brought together in a site-specific risk and rehabilitation register, providing a simple record of what has been identified, where it occurs, what has changed and what action is required. The register can be updated as new information becomes available, creating a record of issues and actions over time.

Good rehabilitation starts during extraction, not at the end of it.

Spatial monitoring can track:

• Areas progressively rehabilitated

• Changes to the planned final landform

• Disturbed versus rehabilitated areas

• Cover material stockpiles

• Rehabilitation condition and progress

• Areas requiring further work

This provides a current spatial record that can support rehabilitation planning, site management and discussions with regulators and other stakeholders.

Supporting the changing regulatory environment

Victoria's mining and quarrying industry is moving towards a risk-based regulatory model, with operators required to identify, assess, control and review risks throughout the life of an operation.

Polygon Geospatial does not replace the operator's risk-management responsibilities or specialist engineering, environmental or geotechnical advice.

Instead, we provide current spatial information and analysis to help operators understand what is changing, identify what may require attention, and maintain better evidence of how their site is being managed.

Better information.

Earlier identification.

Clearer actions.

Better records.

Talk to us about implementing a monitoring and risk management program for your site (see Site Monitoring for more)