Mining engineers will investigate ways to divert groundwater from historical mine workings without impacting environmental and economic aspects in Bendigo and surrounding areas.
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Investigations will begin in Golden Square in the coming week after the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning contracted the Bendigo Trust to uncap the former Shamrock Mine shaft.
The Shamrock Mine is next to the Senior Citizens’ Centre in Old High Street, Golden Square,.
It was uncapped to determine if the shaft could be used as a short-term solution.
DELWP Bendigo groundwater project manager Mark Costello said the organisation is selectively uncapping some of Bendigo’s historic mine shafts in an effort to find a solution.
“(This will) help identify viable options to divert the groundwater from the Central Deborah tourist mine while we work on the transitional solution to manage groundwater,” he said.
“Currently there is no threat from groundwater water because it is being successfully pumped to the New Chum South line of workings.
“These arrangements will ensure that deep levels of the popular tourist attraction are not inundated and Australia’s deepest underground mine tour can continue to operate.”
Mr Costello said the work at Shamrock Mine shaft is expected to take between one and two weeks.
During this time nearby residents may see and hear excavation work as the engineers locate the top of the shaft and uncap it.
“As the mine is in a prominent public place there may be interruption to pedestrian traffic in the area next to Bendigo Creek and along Old High Street while the work is carried out,” Mr Costello said.
Specimen Hill shaft in Eaglehawk is not a suitable because it is choked with timber and backfill. Investigations into the suitability of the Suffolk shaft at Eaglehawk are continuing.
Naturally occurring groundwater in historical mine workings beneath Bendigo has been recovering to natural levels since mining ceased in Bendigo and surrounding areas in 2011.
The groundwater has elevated levels of salinity, arsenic, heavy metals and hydrogen sulfide gas and is being managed so it poses no risk to the environment or community.
For more information phone DELWP Loddon Mallee on 5430 4444.
