COMPANY:
Greatland Gold Corporation

Inflatable Flood Barriers for Hypersaline Water Management

Discover how inflatable flood barriers helped Greatland Gold increase pond capacity and prevent environmental spills before the Australian wet season.

Back Ground

Greatland Logo
COMPANY:
Greatland Gold Corporation
LOCATION:
Western Australia
Greatland Gold Corporation operates the Havieron gold and copper project in Western Australia. This underground operation manages large volumes of hypersaline water. The mining team must store this water in ponds to protect the surrounding ecosystem. Giant Inflatables Industrial provides the water-filled cofferdams required to prevent overflow during extreme weather events.

Challenge

Mining operations in the Australian desert face sudden heavy rains during the wet season. Greatland Gold needed to manage hypersaline water 10 times saltier than seawater. This water contains rock particles and chemicals from machinery. If the ponds overflow, the salt destroys local vegetation. The client needed to raise the spillway heights by 0.5 metres across a width of 24 metres. They required an immediate solution to stop runoff from entering the ponds and prevent discharge into the clean environment.

Design and Fabrication

The design team selected heavy-duty PVC-coated polyester for the water-filled bladders. This material resists the corrosive nature of hypersaline water. The fabric handles high UV exposure in the desert heat without degrading. Each FS500-100 unit features reinforced seams to manage the internal pressure of the water fill. Engineers included industrial-grade valves for rapid filling and draining. The bladders act as temporary dam walls that conform to the uneven surface of the spillways. These materials ensure the barrier remains stable against the weight of the ponded water.

Results

The project successfully increased the storage capacity of the Havieron mine ponds. By installing the inflatable flood barriers, the client raised the spillway height by the required 0.5 metres. This height adjustment prevents external runoff from prematurely filling the ponds. The solution was delivered and deployed before the wet season began. Greatland Gold now has a reusable system to manage water levels during emergencies. This proactive approach stopped potential environmental damage from salt contamination.

A closer look

Inflatable Flood Barriers for Hypersaline Water Management - Havieron Mine

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Coffer Dams

Cofferdams
and Flood Protection

Water-filled bladders are a highly cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for creating cofferdams and flood protection in slow-moving water conditions or diverting water in rivers or streams.

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