Colleen Burgers CEnvP Specialist Geochemist | Fortescue Metals Group Qualifications | BSc Geology & Chemistry, BSc Hons (Quaternary Science), MSc (Soil Chemistry), CEnvP

What do you do?

I characterise waste rock and tailings material for the detection of rock that may result in acid and/or metalliferous drainage for environmental approvals and operations, and ensure that mines, TSFs and waste rock landforms are non-polluting or contaminating to the environment from the start of mining to closure.

Best aspect of your work?

It covers a range of disciplines incorporating contaminated sites, geology, geochemistry, ground/surface water quality, as well as toxicology for environmental receptors. 

How did you get there?

I started as a consultant, conducting contaminated land investigations and water monitoring and transitioned into preventing contamination for the mining industry.

Biggest environmental concern?

Climate change, overpopulation and plastic pollution.

How and why did you get involved in the EIANZ? 

I wanted to highlight that contaminated sites issues are not just industry related and that the process of characterising and preventing mining pollution follows the exact same process of source-pathway-receptor risk assessment. I wanted to gain professional recognition and certification in my field as a CEnvP and contaminated sites specialist.