Farming
Mining operations at Northparkes occur within mining leases that
cover approximately 1,630 hectares. Northparkes owns 4,370 ha
of land immediately surrounding the mining leases, which serves as
a buffer between mining operations and the surrounding
privately-owned agricultural land holdings. This land is
managed by Northparkes primarily for farming (cropping) in
combination with native vegetation.
The land surrounding the operation is utilised as a large scale
farm using best practice conservation farming techniques to improve
soil quality. Wildlife corridors have also been established that
link mine lease rehabilitation with remnant vegetation on the
agricultural properties to produce long-term native ecosystems that
complement the agricultural landscape.
As part of our commitment to actively demonstrate that
agriculture and mining can co-exist Northparkes have established
large scale trials in conjunction with NSW Department of Primary
Industries (DPI).
In 1997 Northparkes established a Farm Manager role within the
organisational structure of the mining operations. The role
was assigned clear responsibilities and accountabilities for
agricultural land-use management of the various land
holdings. In addition, a residence for the Farm Manager was
provided in the local farming community in close proximity to the
mine site and land holdings. This was established to actively
engage the neighbouring farmers and to earn respect and trust in
the community.
The next step was to fully integrate farm management into the
business through operational plans, rehabilitation plans and the
closure planning process. The Farm Manager developed and
implemented a Farm Strategy that involves the use of best practice
conservation farming techniques aimed at improving soil quality and
productivity, retaining and improving the properties inherent
value.
The farm strategy at Northparkes is:
- To increase paddock size wherever possible to improve
operational efficiency;
- To utilise crop rotation to help control weeds and
disease;
- Direct drill techniques with stubble retention to improve soil
structure and reduce ambient dust levels;
- To use Global Positioning System (GPS) controlled farm
machinery to avoid soil compaction; and
- No livestock grazing.
Conservation farming was implemented across the land holdings in
1998. All crops were planted no till with full stubble
retention in large paddocks, GPS controlled machinery was
introduced (accurate to 2 cm) and all livestock was removed from
the properties.
This approach has offered a way to increase cropping intensity
without excessive soil damage, the long-term benefits of which are
only now being understood more completely. Some of the major
benefits seen to date are: improved soil structure, greatly reduced
erosion, increased soil biota (e.g. more earthworms), greater water
infiltration and retention and minimal surface crusting.
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| Barley stubble emerging |
Harvesting barley on tramline |
Shortly after establishing the farm strategy, NSW DPI became
actively involved in establishing large scale agronomy trials (e.g.
crop varieties and herbicide application) across the farm paddocks.
The document below provides a summary of trials conducted over the
last three years.
Download: Trials conducted since 2006 (PDF
120KB)
Northparkes set out to build an enduring relationship with the
neighbours by establishing a six monthly meeting with adjoining
landowners. The meetings continue today with an aim to
improve collaboration with local landowners to help identify any
issues and opportunities that affect land management in the
region. The Farm Manager actively shares the learning's from
the conservation farming practices and shares NSW DPI trial results
through these meetings and more regularly on a face to face
basis.
Wildlife corridors are established or improved along fence
lines, road verges, creeks and drainage lines through an annual
revegetation program. This program involves the planting of
approximately 10,000 trees per annum. In excess of 150,000
trees have been planted to date within the landholding.