Northern Territory Underground Mine Site

Mine Dewatering & Irrigation Disbursement System

Overview

Our client operates an underground mining operation in the Northern Territory and required a high-capacity, reliable solution to manage excess water discharge. The project required transferring and dispersing approximately 700,000 litres of water daily away from active operations into a dedicated irrigation area.

Due to the remote location in the Northern Territory, the system had to be fully automated, remotely monitored, and engineered to withstand demanding Territory mine-site conditions without constant manual supervision.

The Challenge

The site required an end-to-end pumping and land-application solution capable of:

  • High-Volume Continuous Transfer: Reliably processing and dispersing up to 700,000 litres of water daily.

  • Full Automation & Control: Operating automatically with integrated start/stop triggers and comprehensive equipment fail-safes.

  • Remote Monitoring: Providing real-time telemetry so off-site operators could track performance and receive immediate fault alerts.

  • Turnkey Integration: Seamlessly linking power generation, pumping assets, storage tanks, electrical controls, and distribution pipework into a single, cohesive unit.

  • Mine-Spec Durability: Withstanding extreme weather, dust, and continuous duty cycles.

The Solution

Think Water Darwin engineered, supplied, and commissioned a fully integrated, automated mine dewatering and irrigation system. Built to run without constant on-site supervision, the system uses custom powdercoated control panels paired with Goldtec telemetry. This enables off-site personnel to monitor live flow rates, pressure, and generator status in real time, while automated fail-safes protect the Pentair Southern Cross pumps and CJ Perry generators from operational faults.

To manage high-volume land application, our in-house team engineered and fabricated heavy-duty sprinkler bases specifically for the Nelson Big Gun sprinklers. Designed to absorb extreme thrust forces on rugged terrain, these stands ensure stable, high-pressure distribution across the site via heavy-duty HDPE pipework.

From system design and power integration to custom fabrication and final commissioning, Think Water Darwin delivered a turnkey solution. The result is a highly dependable, fully automated asset that handles 700,000 litres daily while protecting site equipment and minimising labor costs.

Equipment & Technical Scope

We selected and installed heavy-duty, industrial-grade equipment tailored for the site’s duty requirements:

  • Pumping Infrastructure: High-efficiency Pentair Southern Cross End suction pump.

  • Power & Controls: Industrial grade CJ Perry generator paired with custom powdercoated, weather-sealed electrical control panels.

  • Telemetry & Automation: Goldtec remote monitoring for real-time tracking, diagnostics, and control solar-powered telemetry units.

  • Disbursement Infrastructure: Nelson Big Gun sprinklers mounted on in house custom-engineered, mobile sprinkler bases and stands.

  • Pipework & Fittings: Heavy-duty polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline for supply lines and distribution manifolds.

Custom Engineering Highlights

Standard off-the-shelf stands often fail under the extreme thrust forces of large-scale industrial sprinklers. A key element of this project was the in-house design and fabrication of heavy-duty, high-stability sprinkler bases for the Nelson Big Gun sprinklers. Engineered for quick connection to the HDPE pipework network, these robust bases allow the client to achieve maximum throw distance and optimal coverage while maintaining rock-solid stability on uneven ground.

Furthermore, the integrated Goldtec telemetry system enabled our technical team to monitor overall performance in real time. This off-site visibility meant we could proactively notify site managers if flow or pressure deviated from target specifications, allowing for immediate adjustments and maximum operational uptime.

The Outcome

The delivered system provides a complete, turnkey water management solution operating reliably at a capacity of 700,000 litres per day.

By combining industrial pumping assets, custom fabrication, and smart remote telemetry, Think Water Darwin delivered a system that minimises site labor, protects critical infrastructure, and ensures environmental compliance for clean water disbursement across the mine lease.

Need a custom mine-spec pumping or water management solution? Contact the technical engineering team at Think Water Darwin.