Hopeland groundwater sampling results and findings

    Bore locations map

    • Former Linc Energy bore sites
    • Kummerows Road bore sites
    • Former Mineral Development lease
    • Former Linc Energy Site – lot 40 DY85

    Monitoring bores installed on the former Linc site – findings

    In 2017, the department installed a groundwater monitoring network around the perimeter of the former Linc site. In 2020, this network was expanded to include an additional two bores on the Linc site.

    The Linc site is contaminated as a result of undertaking UCG activities, therefore it is expected that levels of benzene, cyanide and other contaminants are above guideline values.

    Sampling on the Linc site has shown the presence of UCG contaminants benzene and total cyanide. However, the concentration of benzene and total cyanide generally indicate a decreasing trend over time.

    These bores are not used for irrigation, or human or stock consumption.

    As a result of the groundwater contamination on the former Linc site, it is listed on the Contaminated Land Register (CLR) which recognises that the site is heavily contaminated and requires ongoing monitoring and remediation.

    Comprehensive results and terminology definitions from groundwater monitoring between 2018 and 2022 are available on the Hopeland environmental management web page.

    Data is listed below for benzene and total cyanide levels in the 13 groundwater monitoring bores on the former Linc site since 2018. Benzene and total cyanide levels are the focus of the data on this page because they can be associated with UCG activities.

    The tables below include samples collected from the perforated zone of the groundwater well as they are considered the most representative of the groundwater aquifer. The perforated zone is the area of the bore where water passes through. Samples collected from the top of the water column (denoted light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) and from the bottom of the water column (denoted dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) are not included in the tables below because they are outside the perforated zone.

    Results for these LNAPL and DNAPL samples are included in the comprehensive results that can be found on the Hopeland environmental management web page.

    HSMB1S

    Location code Matrix typeDate Cyanide
    total (mg/L)#
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB1S Water 30/05/2018   755
    HSMB1S Water 20/06/2018   652
    HSMB1S Water 6/09/2018   547
    HSMB1S 89.9m Water 11/05/2019   388
    HSMB1S 108.5m Water 11/05/2019   538
    HSMB1S Water 17/07/2020   301
    HSMB1S Water 1/11/2020   256
    HSMB1S Water 19/01/2021   236
    HSMB1S Water 20/06/2021 0.360 228
    HSMB1S Water 30/10/2021 0.332 207
    HSMB1S Water 12/05/2022 0.303 108
    HSMB1S Water 29/07/2022 no sample no sample
    HSMB1S Water 12/10/2022 0.323 109
    HSMB1SWater06/02/20230.307108
    HSMB1SWater07/06/20230.280120
    HSMB1SWater16/08/20230.270110
    HSMB1SWater14/11/20230.30083

    HSMB1S Cyanide total (mg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB1S Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    20/06/2021 0.360
    30/10/2021 0.332
    12/05/2022 0.303
    29/07/2022 0
    12/10/2022 0.323
    06/02/20230.307
    07/06/20230.280
    16/08/20230.270
    14/11/20230.300

    HSMB1S Benzene (μg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB1S Benzene (μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    30/05/2018 755
    20/06/2018 652
    06/09/2018 547
    11/05/2019 388
    11/05/2019 538
    17/07/2020 301
    01/11/2020 256
    19/01/2021 236
    20/06/2021 228
    30/10/2021 207
    12/05/2022 108
    29/07/2022 0
    12/10/2022 109
    06/02/2023108
    07/06/2023120
    16/08/2023110
    14/11/202383

    HSMB1D

    Location code Matrix typeDate Cyanide
    total (mg/L)#
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB1D Water 30/05/2018   225
    HSMB1D Water 20/06/2018   153
    HSMB1D Water 6/09/2018   77
    HSMB1D Water 7/05/2019   9
    HSMB1D Water 15/03/2020   7
    HSMB1D Water 31/07/2020   3
    HSMB1D Water 5/12/2020   11
    HSMB1D Water 3/03/2021 0.936 18
    HSMB1D Water 8/07/2021 0.743 8
    HSMB1D Water 26/10/2021 0.560 21
    HSMB1D Water 10/05/2022 Failed QA checks* Failed QA checks*
    HSMB1D Water 29/07/2022 Failed QA checks* Failed QA checks*
    HSMB1D Water 12/10/2022 Failed QA checks* Failed QA checks*
    HSMB1DWater06/02/2023Failed QA checks*Failed QA checks*
    HSMB1DWater07/06/2023Failed QA checks*Failed QA checks*
    HSMB1DWater17/08/2023Failed QA checks*Failed QA checks*
    HSMB1DWater14/11/2023Failed QA checks*^Failed QA checks*^

    HSMB1D Cyanide total (mg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB1D Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    03/03/2021 0.936
    08/07/2021 0.743
    26/10/2021 0.560
    10/05/2022  
    29/07/2022  
    12/10/2022 
    06/02/2023 
    07/06/2023 
    17/08/2023 
    14/11/2023

    HSMB1D Benzene (μg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB1D Benzene (μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    30/05/2018 225
    20/06/2018 153
    06/09/2018 77
    07/05/2019 9
    15/03/2020 7
    31/07/2020 3
    05/12/2020 11
    03/03/2021 18
    08/07/2021 8
    26/10/2021 21
    10/05/2022  
    29/07/2022  
    12/10/2022 
    06/02/2023 
    07/06/2023 
    17/08/2023 
    14/11/2023

    HSMB2D

    Location code Matrix typeDate Cyanide
    total (mg/L)#
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB2D Water 31/05/2018   30
    HSMB2D Water 20/06/2018   49
    HSMB2D Water 4/09/2018   32
    HSMB2D Water 27/04/2019   27
    HSMB2D Water 10/07/2020   12
    HSMB2D Water 14/11/2020   11
    HSMB2D Water 24/01/2021   11
    HSMB2D Water 8/05/2021 0.394 14
    HSMB2D Water 21/09/2021 0.425 13
    HSMB2D Water 9/05/2022 Failed QA checks* Failed QA checks*
    HSMB2D Water 29/07/2022 no sample no sample
    HSMB2D Water 12/10/2022 no sample no sample
    HSMB2DWater03/02/2023no sampleno sample
    HSMB2DWater07/06/2023no sampleno sample
    HSMB2DWater18/08/2023no sampleno sample
    HSMB2DWater14/11/2023Failed QA checks*^Failed QA checks*^

    HSMB2D Cyanide total (mg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB2D Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    24/01/2021 0
    08/05/2021 0.394
    21/09/2021 0.425
    09/05/2022  
    29/07/2022  
    12/10/2022 
    03/02/2023 
    07/06/2023 
    18/08/2023 
    14/11/2023

    HSMB2D Benzene (μg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB2D Benzene (μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    31/05/2018 30
    20/06/2018 49
    04/09/2018 32
    27/04/2019 27
    10/07/2020 12
    14/11/2020 11
    24/01/2021 11
    08/05/2021 14
    21/09/2021 13
    09/05/2022  
    29/07/2022  
    12/10/2022 
    03/02/2023 
    07/06/2023 
    18/08/2023 
    14/11/2023

    HSMB2S

    Location code Matrix typeDate Cyanide
    total (mg/L)#
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB2S Water 31/05/2018   1020
    HSMB2S Water 21/06/2018   684
    HSMB2S Water 7/09/2018   681
    HSMB2S 92.4m Water 13/05/2019   313
    HSMB2S 107m Water 13/05/2019   518
    HSMB2S Water 23/03/2020   219
    HSMB2S Water 20/06/2020   214
    HSMB2S Water 21/06/2020   207
    HSMB2S Water 26/06/2020   211
    HSMB2S Water 1/12/2020   181
    HSMB2S Water 2/12/2020   195
    HSMB2S Water 2/12/2020   182
    HSMB2S Water 7/12/2020   181
    HSMB2S Water 23/02/2021 0.614 170
    HSMB2S Water 24/02/2021 0.633 133
    HSMB2S Water 1/03/2021 0.636 156
    HSMB2S Water 29/06/2021 0.438 164
    HSMB2S Water 30/06/2021 0.441 167
    HSMB2S Water 6/07/2021 0.445 139
    HSMB2S Water 14/09/2021 0.464 159
    HSMB2S Water 15/09/2021 0.449 163
    HSMB2S Water 20/09/2021 0.415 144
    HSMB2S Water 12/05/2022 0.430 102
    HSMB2S Water 2/08/2022 0.407 105
    HSMB2S Water 13/10/2022 0.478 97
    HSMB2SWater03/02/20230.388109
    HSMB2SWater09/06/20230.380110
    HSMB2SWater17/08/20230.46098
    HSMB2SWater15/11/20230.5003.1

    HSMB2S Cyanide total (mg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB2S Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    23/02/2021 0.614
    24/02/2021 0.633
    01/03/2021 0.636
    29/06/2021 0.438
    30/06/2021 0.441
    06/07/2021 0.445
    14/09/2021 0.464
    15/09/2021 0.449
    20/09/2021 0.415
    12/05/2022 0.430
    02/08/2022 0.407
    13/10/2022 0.478
    03/02/20230.388
    09/06/20230.380
    17/08/20230.460
    15/11/20230.500

    HSMB2S Benzene (μg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB2S Benzene (μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    31/05/2018 1020
    21/06/2018 684
    07/09/2018 681
    13/05/2019 313
    13/05/2019 518
    23/03/2020 219
    20/06/2020 214
    21/06/2020 207
    26/06/2020 211
    01/12/2020 181
    02/12/2020 195
    02/12/2020 182
    07/12/2020 181
    23/02/2021 170
    24/02/2021 133
    01/03/2021 156
    29/06/2021 164
    30/06/2021 167
    06/07/2021 139
    14/09/2021 159
    15/09/2021 163
    20/09/2021 144
    12/05/2022 102
    02/08/2022 105
    13/10/2022 97
    03/02/2023109
    09/06/2023110
    17/08/202398
    15/11/20233.1

    HSMB3D1

    Location code Matrix typeDate Cyanide
    total (mg/L)#
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB3D1 Water 30/05/2018   95
    HSMB3D1 Water 18/06/2018   78
    HSMB3D1 Water 5/09/2018   69
    HSMB3D1 Water 6/12/2018   64
    HSMB3D1 Water 10/12/2018   44
    HSMB3D1 Water 12/12/2018   below limit of reporting
    HSMB3D1 Water 14/12/2018   16
    HSMB3D1 Water 14/01/2019   21
    HSMB3D1 Water 15/01/2019   23
    HSMB3D1 Water 3/05/2019   16
    HSMB3D1 Water 17/03/2020   16
    HSMB3D1 Water 18/03/2020   14
    HSMB3D1 Water 29/07/2020   12
    HSMB3D1 Water 24/10/2020   10
    HSMB3D1 Water 15/01/2021   10
    HSMB3D1 Water 1/05/2021 0.041 9
    HSMB3D1 Water 5/09/2021 0.052 9
    HSMB3D1 Water 11/05/2022 0.040 6
    HSMB3D1 Water 2/08/2022 0.036 6
    HSMB3D1 Water 14/10/2022 0.031 5
    HSMB3D1Water02/02/20230.0285
    HSMB3D1Water08/06/20230.0315.6
    HSMB3D1Water18/08/20230.0305
    HSMB3D1Water15/11/20230.0302.5

    HSMB3D1 Cyanide total (mg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB3D1 Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    15/01/2021 0
    01/05/2021 0.041
    05/09/2021 0.052
    11/05/2022 0.040
    02/08/2022 0.036
    14/10/2022 0.031
    02/02/20230.028
    08/06/20230.031
    18/08/20230.030
    15/11/20230.030

    HSMB3D1 Benzene (μg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB3D1 Benzene (μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    30/05/2018 95
    18/06/2018 78
    05/09/2018 69
    06/12/2018 64
    10/12/2018 44
    12/12/2018  
    14/12/2018 16
    14/01/2019 21
    15/01/2019 23
    03/05/2019 16
    17/03/2020 16
    18/03/2020 14
    29/07/2020 12
    24/10/2020 10
    15/01/2021 10
    01/05/2021 9
    05/09/2021 9
    11/05/2022 6
    02/08/2022 6
    14/10/2022 5
    02/02/20235
    08/06/20235.6
    18/08/20235
    15/11/20232.5

    HSMB3D2

    Location code Matrix typeDate Cyanide
    total (mg/L)#
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB3D2 Water 29/05/2018   35
    HSMB3D2 Water 19/06/2018   26
    HSMB3D2 Water 3/09/2018   18
    HSMB3D2 Water 26/04/2019   7
    HSMB3D2 Water 8/01/2020   2
    HSMB3D2 Water 9/01/2020   3
    HSMB3D2 Water 2/08/2020   2
    HSMB3D2 Water 30/10/2020   4
    HSMB3D2 Water 20/01/2021   2
    HSMB3D2 Water 21/01/2021   1
    HSMB3D2 Water 27/05/2021 0.112 3
    HSMB3D2 Water 23/09/2021 0.078 2
    HSMB3D2 Water 10/05/2022 Failed QA checks* Failed QA checks*
    HSMB3D2 Water 3/08/2022 Failed QA checks* Failed QA checks*
    HSMB3D2 Water 17/10/2022 Failed QA checks* Failed QA checks*
    HSMB3D2Water02/02/2023Failed QA checks*Failed QA checks*
    HSMB3D2Water08/06/2023Failed QA checks*Failed QA checks*
    HSMB3D2Water18/08/2023Failed QA checks*Failed QA checks*
    HSMB3D2Water16/11/2023Failed QA checks*^Failed QA checks*^

    HSMB3D2 Cyanide Total (mg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB3D2 Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    20/01/2021 0
    21/01/2021 0
    27/05/2021 0.112
    23/09/2021 0.078
    10/05/2022  
    03/08/2022  
    17/10/2022 
    02/02/2023 
    08/06/2023 
    18/08/2023 
    16/11/2023

    HSMB3D2 Benzene (μg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB3D2 Benzene (μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    29/05/2018 35
    19/06/2018 26
    03/09/2018 18
    26/04/2019 7
    08/01/2020 2
    09/01/2020 3
    02/08/2020 2
    30/10/2020 4
    20/01/2021 2
    21/01/2021 1
    27/05/2021 3
    23/09/2021 2
    10/05/2022  
    03/08/2022  
    17/10/2022 
    02/02/2023 
    08/06/2023 
    18/08/2023 
    16/11/2023

    HSMB3S1

    Location code Matrix typeDate Cyanide
    total (mg/L)#
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB3S1 Water 29/05/2018   96
    HSMB3S1 Water 21/06/2018   71
    HSMB3S1 Water 4/09/2018   69
    HSMB3S1 Water 3/12/2018   78
    HSMB3S1 Water 4/12/2018   12
    HSMB3S1 Water 10/12/2018   below limit of reporting
    HSMB3S1 Water 15/01/2019   4
    HSMB3S1 Water 15/01/2019   4
    HSMB3S1 91.5m Water 30/04/2019   5
    HSMB3S1 107m Water 30/04/2019   6
    HSMB3S1 Water 21/03/2020   5
    HSMB3S1 Water 19/06/2020   5
    HSMB3S1 Water 22/10/2020   6
    HSMB3S1 Water 3/02/2021 0.019 5
    HSMB3S1 Water 8/02/2021 0.020 no sample
    HSMB3S1 Water 28/04/2021 0.012 4
    HSMB3S1 Water 3/09/2021 0.018 5
    HSMB3S1 Water 11/05/2022 0.015 4
    HSMB3S1 Water 2/08/2022 0.016 4
    HSMB3S1 Water 14/10/2022 0.015 4
    HSMB3S1Water02/02/20230.0163
    HSMB3S1Water08/06/20230.0223.8
    HSMB3S1Water18/08/20230.0104.2
    HSMB3S1Water15/11/20230.0109.2

    HSMB3S1 Cyanide total (mg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB3S1 Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    03/02/2021 0.019
    08/02/2021 0.020
    28/04/2021 0.012
    03/09/2021 0.018
    11/05/2022 0.015
    02/08/2022 0.016
    14/10/2022 0.015
    02/02/20230.016
    08/06/20230.022
    18/08/20230.010
    15/11/20230.010

    HSMB3S1 Benzene (μg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB3S1 Benzene (μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    29/05/2018 96
    21/06/2018 71
    04/09/2018 69
    03/12/2018 78
    04/12/2018 12
    10/12/2018 0
    15/01/2019 4
    15/01/2019 4
    30/04/2019 5
    30/04/2019 6
    21/03/2020 5
    19/06/2020 5
    22/10/2020 6
    03/02/2021 5
    08/02/2021  
    28/04/2021 4
    03/09/2021 5
    11/05/2022 4
    02/08/2022 4
    14/10/2022 4
    02/02/20233
    08/06/20233.8
    18/08/20234.2
    15/11/20239.2

    HSMB3S2

    Location code Matrix typeDate Cyanide
    total (mg/L)#
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB3S2 Water 28/05/2018   77
    HSMB3S2 Water 22/06/2018   1490
    HSMB3S2 Water 7/09/2018   1330
    HSMB3S2 Water 16/05/2019   46
    HSMB3S2 Water 14/03/2020   15
    HSMB3S2 Water 8/07/2020   50
    HSMB3S2 Water 28/10/2020   65
    HSMB3S2 Water 23/01/2021   48
    HSMB3S2 Water 29/05/2021 0.110 32
    HSMB3S2 Water 25/09/2021 0.098 17
    HSMB3S2 Water 10/05/2022 0.086 7
    HSMB3S2 Water 3/08/2022 0.074 8
    HSMB3S2 Water 17/10/2022 0.083 7
    HSMB3S2Water02/02/20230.07910
    HSMB3S2Water08/06/20230.08412
    HSMB3S2Water18/08/20230.06813
    HSMB3S2Water15/11/20230.07014

    HSMB3S2 Cyanide total (mg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB3S2 Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    23/01/2021 0
    29/05/2021 0.110
    25/09/2021 0.098
    10/05/2022 0.086
    03/08/2022 0.074
    17/10/2022 0.083
    02/02/20230.079
    08/06/20230.084
    18/08/20230.068
    15/11/20230.070

    HSMB3S2 Benzene (μg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB3S2 Benzene(μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    28/05/2018 77
    22/06/2018 1490
    07/09/2018 1330
    16/05/2019 46
    14/03/2020 15
    08/07/2020 50
    28/10/2020 65
    23/01/2021 48
    29/05/2021 32
    25/09/2021 17
    10/05/2022 7
    03/08/2022 8
    17/10/2022 7
    02/02/202310
    08/06/202312
    18/08/202313
    15/11/202314

    HSMB4D

    Location code Matrix typeDate Cyanide
    total (mg/L)#
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB4D Water 1/06/2018   79
    HSMB4D Water 18/06/2018   86
    HSMB4D Water 3/09/2018   91
    HSMB4D Water 9/05/2019   9
    HSMB4D Water 15/07/2020   4
    HSMB4D Water 22/11/2020   5
    HSMB4D Water 14/02/2021 1.03 6
    HSMB4D Water 18/06/2021 1.25 7
    HSMB4D Water 9/10/2021 1.12 12
    HSMB4D Water 11/05/2022 Failed QA checks* Failed QA checks*
    HSMB4D Water 4/08/2022 Failed QA checks* Failed QA checks*
    HSMB4D Water 18/10/2022 Failed QA checks* Failed QA checks*
    HSMB4DWater07/02/2023Failed QA checks*Failed QA checks*
    HSMB4DWater12/06/2023Failed QA checks*Failed QA checks*
    HSMB4DWater21/08/2023Failed QA checks*Failed QA checks*
    HSMB4DWater16/11/2023Failed QA checks*^Failed QA checks*^

    HSMB4D Cyanide total (mg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB4D Cyanide Total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    14/02/2021 1.03
    18/06/2021 1.25
    09/10/2021 1.12
    11/05/2022  
    04/08/2022  
    18/10/2022 
    07/02/2023 
    12/06/2023 
    21/08/2023 
    16/11/2023

    HSMB4D Benzene (μg/L)

    Show data

    HSMB4D Benzene (μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    01/06/2018 79
    18/06/2018 86
    03/09/2018 91
    09/05/2019 9
    15/07/2020 4
    22/11/2020 5
    14/02/2021 6
    18/06/2021 7
    09/10/2021 12
    11/05/2022  
    04/08/2022  
    18/10/2022 
    07/02/2023 
    12/06/2023 
    21/08/2023 
    16/11/2023

    HSMB4S

    Location code Matrix typeDate Cyanide
    total (mg/L)#
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB4S Water 1/06/2018   1060
    HSMB4S Water 19/06/2018   959
    HSMB4S Water 6/09/2018   1010
    HSMB4S 96m Water 15/05/2019   653
    HSMB4S 107.5m Water 15/05/2019   1240
    HSMB4S Water 23/06/2020   575
    HSMB4S Water 26/10/2020   475
    HSMB4S Water 17/01/2021   455
    HSMB4S Water 7/05/2021 0.422 434
    HSMB4S Water 19/09/2021 0.372 459
    HSMB4S Water 11/05/2022 0.416 287
    HSMB4S Water 4/08/2022 0.363 293
    HSMB4S Water 18/10/2022 0.422 302
    HSMB4SWater07/02/20230.377298
    HSMB4SWater12/06/20230.310300
    HSMB4SWater21/08/20230.350280
    HSMB4SWater16/11/20230.340270

    HSMB4S Cyanide total (mg/L)

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    HSMB4S Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    17/01/2021 0
    07/05/2021 0.422
    19/09/2021 0.372
    11/05/2022 0.416
    04/08/2022 0.363
    18/10/2022 0.422
    07/02/20230.377
    12/06/20230.310
    21/08/20230.350
    16/11/20230.340

    HSMB4S Benzene (μg/L)

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    HSMB4S Benzene (μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    01/06/2018 1060
    19/06/2018 959
    06/09/2018 1010
    15/05/2019 653
    15/05/2019 1240
    23/06/2020 575
    26/10/2020 475
    17/01/2021 455
    07/05/2021 434
    19/09/2021 459
    11/05/2022 287
    04/08/2022 293
    18/10/2022 302
    07/02/2023298
    12/06/2023300
    21/08/2023280
    16/11/202327

    HSMB5D

    Location code Matrix typeDate Cyanide
    total (mg/L)#
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB5D Water 4/06/2018   106
    HSMB5D Water 19/06/2018   100
    HSMB5D Water 5/09/2018   73
    HSMB5D Water 5/05/2019   27
    HSMB5D Water 9/01/2020   22
    HSMB5D Water 24/03/2020   20
    HSMB5D Water 11/07/2020   17
    HSMB5D Water 12/07/2020   12
    HSMB5D Water 18/07/2020   16
    HSMB5D Water 10/11/2020   15
    HSMB5D Water 11/11/2020   14
    HSMB5D Water 16/11/2020   14
    HSMB5D Water 4/02/2021 0.260 14
    HSMB5D Water 4/02/2021 0.269 no sample
    HSMB5D Water 5/02/2021 0.277 12
    HSMB5D Water 5/02/2021 0.282 no sample
    HSMB5D Water 10/02/2021 0.286 12
    HSMB5D Water 8/06/2021 0.223 13
    HSMB5D Water 9/06/2021 0.237 11
    HSMB5D Water 14/06/2021 0.212 12
    HSMB5D Water 7/10/2021 0.170 13
    HSMB5D Water 8/10/2021 0.198 8
    HSMB5D Water 12/10/2021 0.196 11
    HSMB5D Water 11/05/2022 no sample no sample
    HSMB5D Water 4/08/2022 0.116 10
    HSMB5D Water 18/10/2022 0.140 9
    HSMB5DWater07/02/20230.1159
    HSMB5DWater12/06/20230.09711
    HSMB5DWater 21/08/20230.1109.7
    HSMB5DWater17/11/20230.0959.7

    HSMB5D Cyanide total (mg/L)

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    HSMB5D Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    04/02/2021 0.260
    04/02/2021 0.269
    05/02/2021 0.277
    05/02/2021 0.282
    10/02/2021 0.286
    08/06/2021 0.223
    09/06/2021 0.237
    14/06/2021 0.212
    07/10/2021 0.170
    08/10/2021 0.198
    12/10/2021 0.196
    11/05/2022  
    04/08/2022 0.116
    18/10/2022 0.140
    07/02/20230.115
    12/06/20230.097
    21/08/20230.110
    17/11/20230.095

    HSMB5D Benzene (μg/L)

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    HSMB5D Benzene (μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    04/06/2018 106
    19/06/2018 100
    05/09/2018 73
    05/05/2019 27
    09/01/2020 22
    24/03/2020 20
    11/07/2020 17
    12/07/2020 12
    18/07/2020 16
    10/11/2020 15
    11/11/2020 14
    16/11/2020 14
    04/02/2021 14
    04/02/2021  
    05/02/2021 12
    05/02/2021  
    10/02/2021 12
    08/06/2021 13
    09/06/2021 11
    14/06/2021 12
    07/10/2021 13
    08/10/2021 8
    12/10/2021 11
    11/05/2022  
    04/08/2022 10
    18/10/2022 9
    07/02/20239
    12/06/202311
    21/08/20239.7
    17/11/20239.7

    HSMB6S

    Location codeMatrix typeDateCyanide
    total (mg/L)
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB6SWater20/04/20210.5029
    HSMB6SWater23/05/20210.2968
    HSMB6SWater28/08/20210.1205
    HSMB6SWater12/05/20220.036below limit of reporting
    HSMB6SWater12/08/2022no sampleno sample
    HSMB6SWater19/10/2022no sampleno sample
    HSMB6SWater31/01/20230.0152
    HSMB6SWater13/06/20230.0362.8
    HSMB6SWater23/08/20230.0201.7
    HSMB6SWater21/11/20230.0201.8

    HSMB6S Cyanide total (mg/L)

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    HSMB6S Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    20/04/20210.502
    23/05/20210.296
    28/08/20210.120
    12/05/20220.036
    12/08/2022 
    19/10/2022 
    31/01/20230.015
    13/06/20230.036
    23/08/20230.020
    21/11/20230.020

    HSMB6S Benzene (μg/L)

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    HSMB6S Benzene (μg/L)
    Date μg/L
    20/04/2021 9
    23/05/2021 8
    28/08/2021 5
    12/05/2022  
    12/08/2022 
    19/10/2022 
    31/01/20232
    13/06/20232.8
    23/08/20231.7
    21/11/20231.8

    HSMB6D2

    Location code Matrix typeDate Cyanide
    total (mg/L)
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB6D2 Water 18/04/2021 0.115 below limit of reporting
    HSMB6D2 Water 25/05/2021 0.079 below limit of reporting
    HSMB6D2 Water 26/08/2021 0.057 below limit of reporting
    HSMB6D2 Water 12/05/2022 0.050 below limit of reporting
    HSMB6D2 Water 12/08/2022 no sample no sample
    HSMB6D2 Water 19/10/2022 no sample no sample
    HSMB6D2Water31/01/20230.040below limit of reporting
    HSMB6D2Water13/06/20230.037below limit of reporting
    HSMB6D2Water23/08/20230.030below limit of reporting
    HSMB6D2Water20/11/20230.040below limit of reporting

    HSMB6D2 Cyanide total (mg/L)

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    HSMB6D2 Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    18/04/20210.115
    25/05/20210.079
    26/08/20210.057
    12/05/20220.050
    12/08/2022 
    19/10/2022 
    31/01/20230.040
    13/06/20230.037
    23/08/20230.030
    20/11/20230.040

    HSMB6D2 Benzene (μg/L)

    HSMB6D2 Benzene (μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    14/04/2021 0
    19/05/2021 0
    01/09/2021 0
    13/05/2022 0
    12/08/2022 0
    19/10/2022 0
    31/01/20230
    13/06/20230
    23/08/20230
    20/11/20230

    * some samples failed quality assurance (QA) checks because the head pressure in the bores required distilled water to be introduced to safely install the pump and reduce gas generation. As a result, diluted bore water was sampled. The Department’s quality control program later determined that these results were not representative of the groundwater.

    ^ some samples failed QA checks as following the introduction of distilled water to install the pump and reduce gas generation, the results were not representative of the groundwater. Recently, the Department of Resources ‘purged’ water from the bores in an attempt to resolve this matter. Monitoring data will need to be observed over time to determine the effectiveness of purging water from the bores. Therefore the groundwater continues to be influenced by the diluted water and results are not representative of the groundwater.

    # sampling for cyanide commenced in early 2021 on the advice of experts.

    Note: Some bores were sampled on the same day or on repeated days during the monitoring period. The sampling processes undertaken were conducted at specific phases to check the representativeness of the overall groundwater sampling programs.

    Monitoring bores installed on Kummerows Road – findings

    In December 2020, as part of the further expansion of the groundwater monitoring network, two additional groundwater monitoring bores were installed in Kummerows Road. Kummerows Road is a narrow road reserve between 20-30 metres wide and the bores are approximately 650 metres west of the boundary of the Linc site.

    Sampling of the Kummerows Road bores commenced in April 2021 and the timing of sampling was impacted by sufficient water being present and extreme weather events.

    Landholders do not access water from the Kummerows Road bores – they exist solely for monitoring purposes. These bores are not used for irrigation, or human or stock consumption. The concentration of benzene and total cyanide generally indicate a decreasing trend over time.

    Data is listed below for benzene and total cyanide in the two groundwater monitoring bores located at Kummerows Road.

    Kummerows Road results – HSMB7S

    Location codeMatrix typeDateCyanide
    total (mg/L)
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB7SWater16/04/20210.090below limit of reporting
    HSMB7SWater21/05/20210.078below limit of reporting
    HSMB7SWater30/08/20210.064below limit of reporting
    HSMB7SWater13/05/20220.014below limit of reporting
    HSMB7SWater12/08/20220.006below limit of reporting
    HSMB7SWater19/10/20220.006below limit of reporting
    HSMB7SWater 10/02/20230.008below limit of reporting
    HSMB7SWater09/06/20230.011below limit of reporting
    HSMB7SWater23/08/20230.004below limit of reporting
    HSMB7SWater20/11/20230.006below limit of reporting

    Kummerows Road – HSMB7S Cyanide total (mg/L)

    Show data

    Kummerows Road – HSMB7S Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    16/04/2021 0.090
    21/05/2021 0.078
    30/08/2021 0.064
    13/05/2022 0.014
    12/08/2022 0.006
    19/10/20220.006
    10/02/20230.008
    09/06/20230.011
    23/08/20230.004
    20/11/20230.006

    Kummerows Road – HSMB7S Benzene (μg/L)

    Kummerows Road – HSMB7S Benzene (μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    16/04/2021 0
    21/05/2021 0
    30/08/2021 0
    13/05/2022 0
    12/08/2022 0
    19/10/20220
    10/02/20230
    09/06/20230
    23/08/20230
    20/11/20230

    Kummerows Road Results – HSMB7D

    Location code Matrix typeDate Cyanide
    total (mg/L)
    Benzene (μg/L)
    HSMB7D Water 14/04/2021 0.717 18
    HSMB7D Water 19/05/2021 0.936 25
    HSMB7D Water 1/09/2021 0.707 17
    HSMB7D Water 13/05/2022 0.684 13
    HSMB7DWater 12/08/2022 0.649 12
    HSMB7DWater19/10/20220.61811
    HSMB7DWater10/02/20230.58412
    HSMB7DWater09/06/20230.48010
    HSMB7DWater23/08/20230.5409.7
    HSMB7DWater20/11/20230.5008.4

    Kummerows Road – HSMB7D Cyanide total mg/L

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    Kummerows Road – HSMB7D Cyanide total (mg/L)
    Datemg/L
    14/04/2021 0.717
    19/05/2021 0.936
    01/09/2021 0.707
    13/05/2022 0.684
    12/08/2022 0.649
    19/10/20220.618
    10/02/20230.584
    09/06/20230.480
    23/08/20230.540
    20/11/20230.500

    Kummerows Road – HSMB7D Benzene (μg/L)

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    Kummerows Road – HSMB7D Benzene (μg/L)
    Dateμg/L
    14/04/2021 18
    19/05/2021 25
    01/09/2021 17
    13/05/2022 13
    12/08/2022 12
    19/10/202211
    10/02/202312
    09/06/202310
    23/08/20239.7
    20/11/20238.4

    Monitoring bores installed on private property – findings

    Since 2015, more than 130 samples have been taken and analysed from landholders’ bores.

    The results of this groundwater sampling have been provided directly to those landowners.

    The monitoring within landholder bores has found that Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) contaminants benzene or total cyanide have not impacted the water quality values in landholder bores.

    As a result, the current risk to nearby landholders has been assessed as low to negligible.