Mining for copper and lead began in the area in the 1860s and 70s. The Northampton Shafts project is comprised of three sites: Wheal Ellen, Commonage and Wanerenooka. Historical mining has left a legacy of abandoned mine shafts at each site.
The Abandoned Mines Program is working in partnership with the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage's Northampton Lead Tailings Project to reduce the risks associated with historical mining in the area.
This shafts project was placed on hold in 2020 following the Wheal Ellen geotechnical assessments due to insufficient Mining Rehabilitation Fund interest earnings to enable further work.
Increases in interest earnings on the fund enabled the project to recommence in 2023. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage surveys have been completed. Geotechnical Assessments and Rehabilitation Options Studies have been completed for the shafts. Stakeholder engagement on these options is now underway
Strategic objectives
- Provide a permanent rehabilitation treatment to mitigate safety risks associated with abandoned mine features.
- With consideration of heritage values, to enhance the potential future use of the site through rehabilitation.
Project Implementation Framework – Northampton
| Desktop Assessment | Investigation | Planning | Implementation | Monitoring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stakeholder engagement commenced in 2018 and is ongoing (U) | Initial site inspection by Abandoned Mines Program May 2020 (C) | Project Plan 2024 (C) | Declaration of abandoned mine site 2020/2023 (C) | Monitoring of environmental indicators to ensure the site has met objectives for post-project landuse (at minimum the site is safe, stable and non-polluting) (P) |
| Initial site risk assessment Wheal Ellen 2020 (C) | Geotechnical Assessment Wheal Ellen September 2020 (C) Geotechnical Intrusive Assessment Wheal Ellen January 2025 (C) | Geotechnical Rehabilitation Options Reports January 2025 (C) Wheal Ellen Commonage and Wanerenooka | Rehabilitation works for shafts 2025- 2026 (P) | Revocation of declaration of abandoned mine site (P) |
| Initial site risk assessment Commonage and Wanerenooka April 2023 (C) | Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Survey July 2023 (C) | State Heritage Management Plan Wanerenooka 2023 (C) | ||
| Preliminary project plan - Wheal Ellen September 2020 (C) | Geotechnical Assessment Commonage and Wanerenooka February 2025 (C) | Stakeholder engagement to select Rehabilitation Options 2025 (U) | ||
| State Heritage Survey Wanerenooka November 2023 (C) | State Heritage Referrals 2025 (P) |
Schedule: Completed (C); Underway (U); Planned (P)
View Project Implementation Framework – Northampton Shafts Project
