26 AUGUST 2025
In January 2024, Cannington was impacted by a one in-2,000-year rainfall event, receiving approximately 630mm over four days that far exceeded its annual average of 369mm.
This unprecedented downfall brought tailings and water storage facilities to capacity, making the continued safety of our TSFs a critical focus ahead of the approaching wet season.
A multi-disciplinary team comprising tailings, engineering, environment and operations representatives was mobilised in late FY24 to implement immediate and long-term water management solutions in preparation for the FY25 wet season.
To address the excess water and maintain TSF stability, the team applied a combination of targeted measures, including:
- Deployment of 28 evaporators across TSFs and dams to accelerate water volume reduction;
- Use of water trucks for dust suppression and gradual removal of surface water;
- Installation of sensors for more accurate water level monitoring; and
- Establishment of a reverse-osmosis plant to treat excess water for operational use, reducing reliance on the borefield by around 33% on a monthly average.
The coordinated response helped maintain TSF stability and reduced environmental impact, while demonstrating the value of preparedness and cross-functional teamwork in managing extreme weather events.
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