Monitoring our neighbouring ecosystems
From May to September this year, our Environmental team conducted flora sampling of endemic species in our ecosystem as part of our Environmental Impact Monitoring Program (EIMP). This initiative provides a comprehensive view of ecosystem health.
The survey involved the Environmental team collecting data on tree health and vegetation cover in 55 sample sites, across a 15-kilometre radius within and outside the Mount Isa Mines lease, over a five-month period.
During the survey, leaves from selected species were systematically gathered, measured, and photographed. These images will be processed with analysis software to determine leaf damage percentages, offering insights into overall tree health. The study sampled around 3,500 leaves from 350 trees.
The EIMP survey aims to assess the ecosystem’s current status year-on-year against baseline conditions established at the beginning of the monitoring program. The rate of change shows the improvement in the environmental outcomes.
-
Anna McGrath, Environmental Advisor and Sascha Bentley, Graduate Environmental Advisor carrying out the vegetation cover aspect of the EIMP flora survey.
-
Data is examined in correlation with Landsat satellite imagery to determine if there are any hot-spots of potential impact.
-
Three species of Eucalyptus that are endemic to the environment, were focal for the study include Snappy Gum – Eucalyptus leucophloia; Cloncurry Box – Eucalyptus leucophylla; and River Red Gum – Eucalyptus camaldulensis.
-
Part of the flora survey involved collecting data on vegetation cover, where a 50-metre transect was conducted at ten-metre intervals, to ascertain the percentage of bare ground, rocky ground, grass cover, litter, woody debris and forbs.
Three species of Eucalyptus that are endemic to the environment, were focal for the study include Snappy Gum – Eucalyptus leucophloia; Cloncurry Box – Eucalyptus leucophylla; and River Red Gum – Eucalyptus camaldulensis.
Lakshika Weerasundara, Lead – Environmental Monitoring says the data will be reviewed and compared against previous baseline studies.
“Data is analysed and included in the four-yearly report that will be submitted to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI).”
The flora survey also included vegetation cover assessments, using a 50-meter transect at 10-meter intervals to evaluate the percentages of bare ground, rocky ground, grass cover, litter, woody debris, and forbs.
-
An ant trap forms part of the ant survey.
-
Cloncurry Box leaves are one of three Eucalyptus species that were focal for the study were methodically collected, measured, photographed and analysed.
A total of five, one-metre by one-metre quadrants were assessed for ground cover at each site.
“The information is used to track trends in environmental data, this helps MIM measure potential environmental impacts to air quality from mining activities to ensure we are meeting and improving our performance," says Lakshika.
Flora and fauna sampling is timed throughout the year to align with ideal climatic conditions for each bio-indicator and maintain consistency with past monitoring rounds. Fauna surveys, focusing on bio-indicators such as ants, geckos, and birds, were last conducted in 2023, with the next round scheduled for 2025.
Birds, geckos and ants are useful bio-indicators of the quality of ecosystems around Mount Isa Mines.