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    Tellus Successfully Commissions One Of The World’s Largest Industrial Air Dome Structures Case Study

    ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

    Construction is now well underway at Tellus Holdings Ltd’s (Tellus) Sandy Ridge project in Western Australia. Tellus is developing a permanent isolation system for hazardous waste which will be Australia’s first commercial scale geological repository. The system incorporates one of the world’s largest industrial air dome structures.

    SANDY RIDGE PROJECT UPDATE – APRIL 2020

    Tellus Holdings Ltd (Tellus) is pleased to provide further details on the progress of construction of its Sandy Ridge Facility. Construction is well underway and continues to progress in line with our schedule and budget.Read more

    Tellus prioritises safety and health of its people and contractors in response to COVID-19

    Tellus Holdings Ltd (Tellus) today outlined the steps it is taking to maintain the safety of its workforce and continuity of its projects in the face of the global spread of COVID-19. Most of these steps have been underway since mid-February.

    Tellus’ Managing Director, Duncan van der Merwe said “At Tellus, our highest priority is the health and wellbeing of our people, contractors, clients and our communities. Keeping our projects running is critical for the direct and indirect jobs they create and support, their benefits to the local economy and cleaning up the environment.

    We are fully focused on reducing the risk of potential transmission of COVID-19 at our sites. These locations include Sandy Ridge, where we are at peak manning during our stage 3 construction, as well as our corporate offices in Sydney, Perth, Darwin and Brisbane. As COVID-19 continues to spread, we are taking additional precautionary measures to test our Business Continuity Plans. Above all, we are encouraging our people to look after each other, their families and communities as we manage through this challenging time together.”

    Each of our project sites and offices are monitoring local conditions and have plans in place designed to maintain workforce safety and business continuity. We have implemented measures based on risk assessment, government requirements and specialist advice, that each account for specific site factors. These include:

     

    Government requirements

    • Tellus has enacted the measures from the Australian Government Department of Health COVID-19 guidance document
    • We are actively monitoring and implementing any changes in the Australian Federal Government’s guidance

     

    COVID-19– Business Continuity Plan (CV–BCP)

    • Tellus has implemented its COVID-19– Business Continuity Plan (CV–BCP)
    • Our CV–BCP currently focusses on staff and supplier planning, and related communications

     

    Tellus employees

    • A ban on international business travel for Tellus employees, until further notice
    • A ban on interstate Australian business travel for Tellus employees, until further notice
    • Some protocols have been introduced, such as flexible rostering, to assist workforce requirements
    • Gatherings of people are being limited as much as possible and social distancing protocols are in place
    • All non-essential visits and meetings across project sites and offices are being rescheduled, cancelled or will take place via virtual platforms
    • Remote working is being tested in our offices
    • Business continuity plans are being tested at our Sandy Ridge site and offices and our employees are prepared to manage through a range of scenarios where COVID-19 limits workforce capacity or access to infrastructure
    • We have implemented a COVID-19 staff questionnaire, external parties self-screening processes and a self-assessment health checklist for those under self-quarantine
    • Hygiene protocols have been implemented for staff

     

    Contractor and suppliers

    • Our Sandy Ridge principal contractor has prepared an Infectious Diseases Management Plan
    • Site specific measures have been implemented, should site staff show signs of COVID-19
    • Key suppliers have been contacted to assess their own action plans to ensure uninterrupted supply
    • Tellus is working with vendors to ensure services and supplies are interrupted as little as possible and will manage any adverse impacts if they arise

     

    Limiting contact with clients, indigenous communities and external stakeholders

    • We have instituted a temporary halt to all non-essential face-to-face meetings between Tellus representatives and clients, indigenous communities and other external stakeholders

     

    Regular communication and vigilance

    • As the situation continues to change rapidly, we will continue to assess and update our response
    • Regular communication with our workforce will continue to ensure that they have the latest health, travel and quarantine guidelines along with access to the necessary resources to support their wellbeing and safety
    • Our HSECQ team releases regular staff updates on this situation and our response

     

    Leadership

    • A senior team has been established with health, safety, operational, human resource and financial experts to manage a company-wide response
    • The team is maintaining safe operations at our sites and offices
    • This team reports weekly to the MD

     

    Sandy Ridge construction update

    • The Safety and Health of our people and contractors at Sandy Ridge is our priority
    • In line with regulatory guidance an Infectious Disease Management Plan is in place and we continue to work with our project partners to manage day to day operations at site
    • As things currently stand, stage 1 and 2 construction is complete, and regrading final stage 3 balance of works, there have been no material impacts on our construction timetable or supply chain

     

    Demand for our services

    • Encouragingly, and despite the recent headwinds relating to COVID-19, we continue to see positive momentum from potential customers interested in securing waste at Sandy Ridge. This is being driven by, among other things, our site nearing its official commencement of operations, the major clean-up efforts of legacy, existing and emerging wastes, and the increased infrastructure investment and activity across Australia as a result of existing and recent government stimulus announcements
    • Tellus is committed to providing continuity of our operations and supporting our clients’ requirements

     

    Our financial position

    • Our financial position is strong with a relatively healthy cash position that we believe should allow us to bridge the current health crises

    Tellus Completes Successful Pre-Operational Trial Run

    Tellus is pleased to announce that it has completed a successful pre-operational trial run at our Sandy Ridge Facility. Tellus intends to begin accepting waste for surface storage upon receipt of final pending government approvals.Read more

    Sandy Ridge Project Update – February 2020

    Tellus is pleased to announce that it has received the final works approval (W6308/2019/1) that enables the balance of construction works at our Sandy Ridge Facility. This approval authorises Tellus to build the balance of the main facility, including waste storage and handling infrastructure for Class IV (hazardous) and V (intractable) wastes.

    Construction of Tellus’ Sandy Ridge Facility is well underway and is progressing in-line with our schedule and budget.

      • Stage 1 Construction  – Site establishment and long lead items complete
      • Stage 2A Construction  – 71 room permanent village and temporary surface storage area complete
      • Crown lease – 99 year lease signed and registered
      • Works approvals – all three works approvals required for construction have now been granted (site establishment; temporary surface storage and the main facility)
      • Stage 2B Construction – Main facility build has commenced
      • Operations – Tellus intends to begin accepting waste for storage upon receipt of final pending government approvals and in-cell placement is on track for Q3 2020.

    Tellus continues to expand its corporate and project team and rollout site specific procedures, management systems and training.

    Further information related to Tellus’ employment opportunities can be found here.

    Operational equipment for surface storage, waste verification, container handling and emergency response has been procured and has been mobilised to site. The Tellus team are completing numerous trial runs and simulations, including emergency response training to test our systems prior to first operations.

    Further information related to Tellus’ services can be found here

    For client enquiries please contact sales@tellusholdings.com.

    Tellus Shareholder Update

    Dear Shareholder,

    Shareholder Update

    Today we circulated a positive update on recent debt and equity funding to all of our shareholders.Read more

    Tellus launches new website

    Tellus is pleased to announce the launch of its new website, showcasing the company’s commitment to providing environmentally sustainable solutions through the development of geological repositories in Australia.

    “Our refreshed brand and website have been designed to present Tellus’ story, core values and service offerings as we move towards commencement of operations in 2020” said Tellus Managing Director, Duncan van der Merwe.

    “The new website was optimised for usability and to illustrate Tellus’ service offerings and guiding principles of long-term safety and sustainability for our clients, and also to make it easy for diverse stakeholders to find information on existing and new projects.

    Tellus’ service offering not only solves waste management problems of today, through environmentally sound management of difficult to manage wastes streams, but also anticipates and provides for the future through the development of infrastructure that can recover valuable materials that support the circular economy.

    With the upcoming opening of our Sandy Ridge facility, Australia’s first dual revenue kaolin clay mine with a near surface geological repository in a 70-million-year-old dry clay bed, with an annual capacity of 100,000 tonnes waste materials and 40,000 tonnes kaolin clay, , we will be contributing towards a cleaner Australia by providing waste storage, recovery and permanent isolation solutions.”

    Construction of Tellus’ Sandy Ridge Facility in the goldfields region of Western Australia is well underway, with surface storage expected to be available from March 2020 and full operations to commence September 2020.

    Further information related to Tellus’ services can be found here

    For client enquiries please contact info@tellusholdings.com.

    Sandy Ridge Project Update – Dec 2019

    • Stage 1 – Site establishment and long lead items complete
    • Stage 2A – 71 room permanent village and construction laydown area progressing as planned
    • Crown lease – 99 year lease signed and registered
    • Works approvals – temporary surface storage granted
    • Stage 2B – Commenced in line with approvals
    • Operations – Subject to approvals, gates expected to open for surface storage in Q1 2020 and in-cell placement in Q3 2020

    Read more

    UNEP Case Study

    UNEP endorses thick salt and clay formations for the permanent storage of difficult to manage wastes*

    Difficult to manage chemical wastes like mercury (sic) can be permanently stored in geological cavities (e.g. in an underground mine). The intent is to permanently isolate wastes from the biosphere by including it as completely and permanently as possible in a suitable host rock via several natural and artificial barriers. A detailed case-by-case evaluation of the suitability of any such facility is critical to its effectiveness.

    Potential host rocks include the following:

    i) Salt rock:

    Considered impermeable to liquids and gases and a very effective barrier for long-term storage of hazardous waste. A minimum thickness of the salt layer, however is needed to ensure safe encapsulation. Few countries have suitable formations.

    ii) Clay formations:

    Also considered as very good barrier. The sealing and permanent isolation from the biosphere may be achieved through a multi-barrier system. Thus, the isolating potential is safeguarded by geological (e.g. host rock formation of practically impermeable formations, overlaying clay layer) and engineered (e.g. chemical properties of the waste, packaging) elements. In order to ensure environmentally sound permanent storage, mercury wastes are stored:

    *Practical Sourcebook on Mercury Waste Storage and Disposal, 2015, UNEP, pg 58 and 59.

    The Importance of Environmentally Sound Management

    No matter what the project is, we have a responsibility to uphold an environmentally sound management plan. The incorrect implementation of an environmentally sound management plan could radically disrupt the environment of a certain piece of land, and it could be the end of your company as well. At Tellus, we take great measures to diminish our environmental footprint. We are working towards a cleaner Australia. Below, we have a few things to consider for your next project.

    Consider the environmental impacts

    The environmental impacts of our waste disposal operations should not be ignored. Every project in the field of waste management has potential to negatively disrupt elements of our environment. It’s important to implement a rigorous adaptive management approach to constantly monitor your activity, and immediately change anything that causes significant harm.

    We all share this responsibility. However, it can be unclear how to approach certain situations. The environmental impacts aren’t always easily understood for every individual project. When there aren’t any clear processes on diminishing our environmental footprint, it’s best to proceed with a precautionary approach. Take the time to do extra research on the location and the job, and closely monitor and plan any of your activities accordingly.

    Sustainable operations

    As newer technology becomes more available, we have a greater opportunity to generate sustainable operations with our projects. Whether it’s using renewable energy for everything or simply cutting down on the non-renewable fuel resources we have, it’s important to make adjustments where you can. Modifying our work towards a sustainable model is the best way to ensure that we are caring for the future of the environment.

    Environmental stewardship

    When it comes to our environmental projects, it’s important to maintain a relationship with landowners, traditional owners, regulators and broader communities to demonstrate your environmental stewardship ideals. We have a responsibility to treat the land that we use with respect and care to prevent further environmental disruption. Measures need to be taken to manage different parts of the environment. For instance, you should consider a management plan for biodiversity, surface water and ground water. In many parts of Australia there is indigenous land that is incredibly important to the Aboriginal people, so it’s important to consider how your project could affect the cultural heritage of the area.