Mining Home

The already well-established access track has been lightly graded with small windrows on either side.

Small crossings graded with slightly larger                windrows (30-50 cm high).

Smoother surface from grader doing a deeper cut. This is a good section of the access track                with well-made windrows.

Graded, but minimal cut. This patch is predominantly sand.

An example of one of the many types of drains that have been cleaned up / put in to drain the main access track.

A long stretch of main access track containing as many as six major drains coming off the track. An impressive amount of work has been done to mitigate washouts during heavy rain.

A spring fed mud-bog appeared at this location after the wet season. A dozer has moved the majority of the loose mud and soil to the sides forming large windrows and has put in several large drains above and below the problem area.

Multiple new drains have been put in here to mitigate access track conditions during heavy rain.

In the area fifty metres before Sunday Ck yards, the existing spoon-drain was dozed out and a long rolling rise was dozed in and better drainage provided.

Driving down away from the yards the dozer has made a large cut in the established access track (into a harder base) and nearing the corner heading north a deep wash-out area has been cleaned up.

This is one of the many crossings that required cleaning up. Much of the soft soil and mud has been dozed away and a slightly harder base now exists.

The turn-off onto Boundary West access track at Gate 3 which leads north to the Yourka / Blunder Park boundary. The existing track has been cleaned up and fallen debris and trees removed.

An example of simple cleaning up of trees and debris. Although little work done, it is still accessible.

Picture of a small drain crossing with ample work done for run-off during heavy rain. It should be noted the base of the crossing is very soft and powdery.

Boundary fence (on the left side of the photo). This track was cleaned up of trees, large ruts and ant hills. Although the access track appears to be straight and follows the boundary fence (on the map), in places it diverts around steep-sided gullies.

An example of clean up work to part of the track. Many parts of this track have multiple options and ring tracks to choose from (some end in dead ends). Many gullies and hills are very steep-sided and may be difficult during and after heavy rain.

One of the many steep drops leading to a steep climb with a sharp right hand turn. This section of the track is only accessible by foot, quad or light vehicle as the camber and steepness of the track may be unsuitable for a larger vehicle.

Two tracks have been cut here both of which are very steep and require low box in a light 4WD. This section of the track is very tight and twisty and may require further attention if larger vehicles require access.

An example of a steeper section of the access track. The dozer had limited options of where to cut a new track so cleaned up the old steep track (another old track was cleaned up on a more gentle slope to the right). Our light vehicle was able to make it down the slope but not return back up it. This section may be unsuitable for a larger vehicle.

Final long straight stretch of track, running along the boundary fence, it seems to have a good, rocky base although a very light powder exists on top.

Corner of Yourka/Blunder Park boundary and Boundary East access track.

Similar to the Yourka / Blunder Park boundary access track, this is

just a straight dozer cut, cleaning out wash-outs and smoothing creek crossings.

Due to the flat terrain, less dense bush and softer ground,

this area is much more accessible and comfortable to travel than the

Boundary West access track (better access for larger vehicles as well).

Sunday Creek crossing near Sunday Creek yards. Much of the loose sand and debris has been dozed to the side and out of the way. The crossing is still quite wet in places and during heavy rain it is doubtful that the crossing will be able to maintain its current condition.

Relatively deep cut at the beginning of the Low access track. Good base in this area with large windrows on either side. This area is well cleaned up.

This long straight stretch of the access track has been cleaned up of recent vegetation. Much of the old existing access track hasn’t really been touched up (unless at small crossings) although it is still in good overall condition.

This particular crossing has been cleaned out however the track ends 100 metres after the crossing. This is an old crossing over Sunday Creek. The Low access track turns to the north on the western side of this crossing. From this turn/corner, the Low access meets with the High access and Whispering Ridge access tracks.

A well-dozed section of the access track, very smooth and clean.

Downhill section of access track with minimal cut and a hard well-packed base.

This is the access track heading to Whispering Ridge and the Sandy yards prospect. The track has been lightly cleaned up (dead trees moved).

This crossing was previously un-crossable as it was completely washed out (1.5 m drop-off). A large amount of dirt has been moved and packed, a new large drain has been cleaned out below it to allow for drainage.

This is a site photo of the Whispering Ridge helipad (to show condition and size of the young saplings). In its current condition this area can be used as a helipad.

Access track heading directly down to Whispering Ridge prospect. This access track did not require much clean up.

This access track has been moderately cleaned up, although not many drainage points have been put in here.

Access track condition along this stretch is very good and many of the large roots and eroded patches have been cleaned up and it is now a very smooth, open stretch of access track.

There has been a huge amount of work done to repair the dam wall breach that occurred during last wet season. Entry and exit from the dam wall is also good. Below the dam is a very large water run-off area. It looks as if there has been a great deal of work in shoring up and clearing within this area.

This picture was taken at the turn off to Boeing Hill. The junction has been cleaned up.

Access track has been cut substantially with a reasonably solid base of rock.

Boeing Hill helipad, which is still in good condition and clearly visible. A QIDC crew visited this area in April and did preliminary cleanup of vegetation after the wet season.

Near the top of Boeing Hill, it is a relatively steep, rocky access track.

On 25 December 2010, the eye of Tropical Cyclone “Tasha” hit the coast to the near north and south of Cairns.

On 14 January 2011, Tropical Cyclone “Zelia” formed from a coastal low just east of Cairns and travelled south-southeast.

On 23 January 2011 Tropical Cyclone “Anthony” formed from a coastal low just each of Cairns and travelled southeast.

On 28 January 2011 Tropical Cyclone “Anthony” reformed from a tropical low east of the site and headed southwest to hit the coast at Ayr/Townsville on 31 January 2011.

On 3 February 2010, the eye of Tropical Cyclone “Yasi” (a Category 5) hit the coast at Mission Beach/Tully and also passed straight over the top of the range including the MDL298 Whispering Ridge/EPM15896 Sunday Creek sites. Reports from nearby station owners advised it stripped all the leaves from the trees, broke trunks and branches as it blocked all roads and tracks; as well as damaging all fence lines.

Photo 1 Outlook: South

Photo 2 Outlook: South

Photo 3 Outlook: South

Photo 4 Outlook: South

Photo 5 Outlook: South

Photo 6 Outlook: West

Photo 7 Outlook: South

Photo 8 Outlook: South

Photo 9 Outlook: Southeast

Photo 10 Outlook: Southwest

Photo 11 Outlook: South-Southeast

Photo 12 Outlook: East-Southeast

Photo 13 Outlook: East

Photo 14 Outlook: Southeast

Photo 15 Outlook: North

Photo 16 Outlook: North

Photo 17 Outlook: North

Photo 18 Outlook: East

Photo 19 Outlook: East-Southeast

Photo 20 Outlook: East

Photo 21 Outlook: South

Photo 22 Outlook: East

Photo 23 Outlook: East

Photo 24 Outlook: East

Photo 25 Outlook: West-Southwest

Photo 27 Outlook: Southeast

Photo 28 Outlook: Southeast

Photo 29 Outlook: Southeast

Photo 30 Outlook: East

Photo 31 Outlook: East

Photo 32 Outlook: East

Photo 33 Outlook: East-Southeast

Photo 34 Outlook: North

Photo 35 Outlook: East-Southeast

Photo 36 Outlook: South

Photo 37 Outlook: South

Photo 38 Outlook: West

Photo 39 Outlook: Northeast

Photo 40 Outlook: South

Photo 41 Outlook: West

Photo 42 Outlook: Northwest

Photo 43 Outlook: Northeast

Photo 44 Outlook: Southeast

Photo 45 Outlook: West

Photo 46 Outlook: East

Photo 47 Outlook: Northeast

Photo 48 Outlook: West

Photo 49 Outlook: North

Photo 50 Outlook: South

Photo 51 Outlook: South

Photo 52 Outlook: North

Photo 53 Outlook: West

Photo 54 Outlook: West

Photo 55 Outlook: West

Photo 56 Outlook: West

Photo 57 Outlook: West

Photo 58 Outlook: West

Photo 59 Outlook: West

Photo 60 Outlook: West

Photo 61 Outlook: West

YOURKA

Main Access from Ben Avon boundary to Sunday Creek Yards

Photo 26 Outlook: South

Low access and Whispering Ridge access tracks from Sunday Creek yards to Whispering Ridge

High access track from Whispering Ridge access back to Oaky Creek

High Access track from Sunday Creek Yards to Boundary

West junction at Gate 3

Boundary East access track heading to Oaky Creek crossing

Boundary West access track to Yourka/Blunder Park boundary

Yourka/Blunder Park boundary from Boundary West to Boundary East

MDL 298 & EPM 15896 MAGNETITE PROJECTS

YOURKA ACCESS TRACK REPORT JULY 2009

BEN AVON

Main Access across Ben Avon to Yourka boundary

Appendix A – Photo Location Index

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here