Students from Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) schools throughout Queensland travelled to Rockhampton to take part in the ‘Oresome Minds’ research camp hosted by Central Queensland University (CQU) and Bravus, which was designed to uncover the habitual secrets of the black-throated finch.

The students attended an Oresome Minds camp run by the QMEA—the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC)—and supported by Bravus Mining & Resources.

Head of Communications and Community for Adani Australia, Kate Campbell said it was a great opportunity for students to be able to be guided by experts from CQU and Bravus, along with QMEA staff.

“The 16 hand-picked Year 11 and 12 professional pathway students designed digital solutions for use in research on the finch population around the Carmichael Mine in the Galilee Basin in Central Queensland,” Ms Campbell said.

“They designed an electronic bird feeder to capture data on of the types of seeds the birds prefer and frequency of visits to the feeder.

“They also designed a 3D-printed water source for the finches using hydrological engineering principles. The students then used Global Information Systems to create, manage and analyse maps of data to locate food and water sources for the birds.

“It’s an excellent way for students to enhance their learning by taking their classroom work into the field to help with the real issue of supporting the local black-throated finch population.”

Kate Campbell said Rockhampton is an important community for the Carmichael Project, and Bravus was always looking for ways to give back where possible.

“The Oresome Minds Camp was an ideal way to get local Rockhampton and other Queensland students involved in the Project,” Ms Campbell said.

”Bravus has been studying the finch through research surveys for more than eight years to investigate their nesting, breeding and feeding habits as well as their movement patterns.

“The tasks that were set for the students was based on the actual research our own environment team are involved in on a daily basis, so it’s wonderful to give the students practical insight into environmental careers in mining,” Ms Campbell said.

As part of the environmental approval conditions for the Carmichael Mine, Bravus has developed a targeted management plan to protect the population of local finches and their habitat.

Bravus has created a conservation area at Moray Downs West to protect habitat for local flora and fauna. At more than 33,000 hectares in size, the conservation area is 126 times the size of the open cut mine area and is one of the largest privately managed conservation areas in Queensland.

Bravus has also signed an agreement with Indigenous company Woongal Environmental Services to manage black-throated finch habitat on the non-mined areas of our leases, and the conservation area.