Phosphate Hill mine and manufacturing plant are operated by Southern Cross Fertilisers, a subsidiary of Incitec Pivot – Australia’s largest producer of ammonium phosphate fertiliser. Phosphate is recovered from several pits and processed on-site to the end product.
Rockwater designed and supervised the construction of seven high-yielding bores at Phosphate Hill, which supply up to up to 10 GL/annum for mining operations. These bores are about 120 m deep and are also used for dewatering.
A numerical groundwater flow model was constructed by Rockwater in 1985 and has since been refined to predict water-level drawdowns in the mining area, and the longevity of the borefield. Measured drawdowns have closely followed predicted values.
Phosphate Hill was Rockwater’s first job.
We continue to provide hydrogeological advice to the Phosphate Hill mine, including preparation of a mine closure plan.
