Innovating Material Traceability for Site Assessment, Closure and Remediation
In the remote northwest of Australia lies a globally renowned Class A Nature Reserve, well known for its biodiversity and ecological significance. This area supports diverse terrestrial and marine ecosystems and many of their rare species.
Currently, parts of the reserve are the focus of an extensive resource-industry decommissioning, remediation, and rehabilitation effort aimed at returning, and preserving, its long-term ecological value. The remediation effort involves site assessments and targeted earthworks across historically disturbed areas such as infrastructure pads, roads, tracks, and borrow pits.
Site assessments are being undertaken to identify contamination, classify material types, and establish appropriate relocation or disposal methods. A complex and evolving process, across a widespread and harsh landscape, required a custom-built, robust material inventory and tracking system to handle the anticipated workflows, and allow for the storing and managing of large amounts of data to be generated over the course of the next five to ten years.
Existing material tracking systems were not equipped to handle the vast amounts of field data required for effective planning and remediation. There was a critical need to develop a traceability system – integrating with existing systems, building detailed material inventories, and tracking of material movements during on-site investigation and remediation works, all while assisting with maintaining closure compliance and supporting operational efficiency.
A Geospatial Solution For Complex Challenges
NGIS initiated a comprehensive, user-focused development process. This began with a six- to eight-month proof-of-concept phase, during which NGIS collaborated with various departments to map user journeys, identify essential functionalities, and integrate the platform with existing internal software and geospatial systems.
The resulting solution combines front- and back-end software development, dual-system data storage, and geospatial technologies. Spatial data is handled through ArcGIS Feature Classes, leveraging the client’s existing infrastructure. The solution’s core functionalities include:
- Forward-looking inventory tools, helping teams plan material movements.
- Geospatial tracking with ArcGIS, providing a visual representation of material locations and movements over time
- A structured material inventory, where every entry is logged and editable
- Built-in logic rules to minimise the risk of improper handling
The self-service map-driven platform offers an intuitive user experience with a clear, easy-to-navigate interface and integrated GIS layers. Through this platform, users can access key supporting data inputs for material movement planning, such as information related to landforming requirements, soil characterisation and heritage site considerations.
Users can build inventory features and plan material movements through structured workflows that consider key constraints, such as material classification and re-handling or disposal rules. The platform supports operational compliance by guiding users through a standardised planning and material movement approval process.
Collaborating Driving Impact
The implementation of this geospatial solution has transformed material tracking workflows, improving data-driven decision-making while addressing complex environmental challenges. By simplifying workflows and accommodating large datasets, the platform provides a means of measuring and maintaining regulatory compliance and provides auditable records. Its streamlined design supports diverse user needs, enabling accurate tracking and operational planning.
This collaborative effort brought together GIS specialists, software developers, and data scientists, resulting in a robust and adaptable solution. Designed to evolve with future needs, the platform has already sparked interest across other departments within the organisation, highlighting its potential for broader use beyond remediation projects.
Future Potential
This approach sets a new standard for material traceability in rehabilitation efforts, ensuring that every movement is recorded and aligned with environmental and or regulatory requirements. The platform enhances transparency and accountability, making it a viable model for use in the restoration of other high-level conservation reserves and protected habitats. As traceability becomes increasingly vital in environmental management, this platform represents a significant step forward in applying geospatial data-driven solutions to complex rehabilitation challenges.
