THE PROJECT

Woodie Woodie, operated by Consolidated Minerals, is one of Australia’s largest suppliers of high-grade manganese ore.  Mining at Woodie Woodie began in 1950.

Manganese occurs as cavity-fill in the Carawine Dolomite and as sheets and lenses in the overlying Pinjian Chert breccia, both of which are highly permeable.

With a historical dewatering rate of 250–2,000 L/s, Woodie Woodie is one of the top ten dewatering operations in the world, by historical pumping volume.

Rockwater first became involved at Woodie Woodie in 1990.

Since 2011, our work has resulted in major improvements to dewatering, including the progressive establishment of a high-yielding ex-pit dewatering borefield.  Bore yields are up to 150 L/s.

Rockwater maintains a FEFLOW groundwater model that is used for project planning and regulatory submissions.

Rockwater plays a key role in developing and reviewing the bore and pump contractors’ works. This includes:

• technical documentation for bores, pumps and associated infrastructure;
• ongoing engagement with suppliers regarding infrastructure;
• technical reviews of contractor’s submissions; and
• site support.

• Geological and geophysical interpretation
• FEFLOW groundwater modelling
• Predictive uncertainty analysis
• Field investigation reporting
• Annual compliance reporting

• Packer testing
• RC exploration drilling
• Dual-rotary and dual tube flooded RC (DTFRC) bores
• Pumping tests