Project Update: Moray-Carmichael Boundary Road (also known as the Mine Access Road)

It has now been several months since construction began on the upgrades to Moray-Carmichael Boundary Road, also known as the Mine Access Road, at the Carmichael mine.

The project will see both Elgin Road and Moray-Carmichael Boundary Road upgraded from unsealed to sealed asphalt. New stormwater drainage culverts, road furniture and cattle grids will also be installed to ensure that the road is better suited to heavy vehicles and wet weather.

The upgrades are being constructed in line with all of our environmental and Cultural Heritage conditions, including more than 40 different environmental approvals for the upgrade of the MAR alone.

We have been sharing some pictures from the MAR upgrade construction works on our social media channels over the last few months, as we believe it is important to show the best practice drainage, erosion and sediment control works as well as environmental monitoring that is being undertaken in the work area.

Prior to any work starting our team of Certified Professionals in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) have prepared overarching and site-specific Erosion and Sediment Control Plans (ESCPs) for impacted work areas.

The plans provide a management framework, methodologies and site-specific technical details to enable construction works to be undertaken in an environmentally responsible manner, mitigating potential environmental harm.

Additionally, these plans specify that waterway crossings and drainage works are completed promptly, water movement through the site is controlled, soil erosion is minimised, any sediment loss is contained and treated, and disturbed areas are promptly stabilised.

Pictured here are some of the sediment control, drainage and erosion works being undertaken along the MAR - as you can see in the pictures, we have undertaken these works in a way that protects local water courses.

As the project continues in the coming months and the wet season approaches, we are looking forward to continuing to manage the construction works in an environmentally responsible manner, mitigating any potential environmental harm.

Stay tuned for further updates as we near project completion.