Wilpinjong Mine’s construction of an innovative support structure to protect a microbat roosting site has seen it recognised as the winner of the NSW mining industry award for environmental excellence.
The $40,000 support structure is at the entrance to an old oil shale mine that a large colony of microbats use as a temporary roosting site. The colony includes the threatened Eastern Horseshoe and the Large Bent-Winged bats. The entrance is 150 metres from an approved mining area.
Wilpinjong Mine employees designed and installed the box shaped steel structure with help from two of Australia’s leading bat experts.
Environment and community manager Kieren Bennetts said old timber beams supported the entrance but there was evidence of rock falls at the entrance.
He said a 900mm diameter steel pipe will allow the bats to safely enter and exit the roost if the surrounding area collapses.
Last year the structure’s initial 900mm opening was enlarged to 1200mm.
“We made the change after ongoing monitoring showed some bats were still using an open space above the culvert rather than the pipe,” Mr Bennetts said.
“In great news, ongoing monitoring by the Wilpinjong Environment Team, including a live video stream, shows the bats are actively using the new structure,” he said.
“Our solution for habitat preservation is applicable to natural or manmade overhangs across the mining industry.”
“The structure has fewer safety and environmental risks than traditional methods to secure unsupported roofs and entry ways such as shotcreting and rock, mesh and structure bolting.”
Wilpinjong Mine was announced a winner at the 2024 NSW Mining Health, Safety, Environment & Community Conference dinner on August 5 in the NSW Hunter Valley.
Photo at top: Kieren Bennetts at the opening of the bat adit roosting site.
