Ann: TNG Mount Peake Aquifer and Borefield Update, page-21

I'm not a Geologist, Hydrologist or Environmental Scientist. Just the son of a farmer (who water divines in his retirement). I have current exposure to this exact issue on a Board I sit on so forgive me if I am a bit practical here...

Looking at the diagram and the location of the aquifer. The perched water table (supported by the perched aquifer) feeds vegetation above it (plus the wildlife) and feeds two springs that form a stream in the middle of a desert on the driest continent on the planet.....Right???

• What is the logical outcome if that water table drops 1-2m? does the root system of the vegetation above keep up with the drop? Does that vegetation die off and the wildlife move away? It does not appear a valley catchment and is on higher ground indicating questions on replenishment?
• At what point would the springs not flow in a normal seasonal manner affecting the vegetation (and wildlife distribution) downstream?
• Do we not think the NTEPA might not have these concerns?
• Do we not think the livelier vegetation above and two springs that form a stream in the middle of a desert on the driest continent on the planet might not be of cultural value and significance to our first nations people even before NTEPA start talking about potential environmental damage?
• I'm not saying it won't get through, but the delays will be significant to address those questions (to say the least) and could end up being another Darwin processing plant wild goose chase?
• Suggest TNG stick to the deep aquifer where the results of extraction are less likely to be visible, challenged and fought???

Setting aside that but using it as an example, my gripe is.....Seriously, ...... I feel TNG are so hell bent on creating good news stories, whoever writes this stuff is oblivious to logic and practicality, making TNG ignorant to assessing and communicating risk to its shareholders. (eg Darwin Processing Plant, Production by 2016, London listings, " we have decided to strategically move the plant to Mt Peake" when in reality we got kicked out of Darwin etc) To the point of being so positive without communicating risk and realities, it verges on being misleading.

Are we in business of building a mine or writing fairy tales that go on sale September every year?

Are we mining Vanadium / Titanium / Iron or the share market?