Mining Leak Detection in Western Australia

Commercial Leak Detection provides specialist mining leak detection across Western Australia, helping mine sites, mining camps and associated industrial facilities locate concealed leaks within underground water mains, pipelines, fire services and other pressurised infrastructure.

Leaks on mining sites can be difficult to locate due to the scale of underground pipe networks, remote operating conditions and infrastructure buried beneath roads, hardstands and operational areas.

Using specialist non-destructive leak detection technology, we can investigate unexplained water loss, pressure drops, failed pressure tests and suspected underground pipeline leaks before unnecessary excavation begins.

Our team services mining and remote sites throughout Western Australia, including regional and remote operations.

Leak Detection for Mining Sites

Mining operations can contain extensive networks of buried pipework supplying water, fire services and other critical infrastructure across large areas.

When a leak develops underground, there may be little or no evidence at the surface. In some situations, the first indication of a problem may be:

• Unexplained increases in water consumption
• Falling system pressure
• Failed pipeline pressure testing
• Increased pump or treatment system demand
• Water meters recording unexpected usage
• Difficulty maintaining required water supply
• Suspected underground pipeline failure
• Fire main pressure loss

Commercial Leak Detection uses a systematic approach to narrow the investigation area and determine the location of the leak.

Underground Water Leak Detection for Mining Operations

Water loss can become a significant issue for mining operations, particularly at remote sites where water supply and treatment infrastructure is critical to everyday operations.

Underground leaks may occur within:

• Mining camp water networks
• Main water supply pipelines
• Buried distribution lines
• Accommodation facilities
• Processing and operational areas
• Workshops and maintenance facilities
• Underground services
• Remote site infrastructure

Our Commercial Water Leak Detection service uses appropriate detection methods to progressively isolate and pinpoint concealed leaks.

The objective is to identify the leak location before excavation, allowing the site’s plumbing or maintenance team to access the affected area directly.

Mining Camp Leak Detection

Large mining camps can contain extensive underground water networks servicing hundreds of accommodation rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and other facilities.

This can make unexplained water loss particularly difficult to investigate.

Commercial Leak Detection recently investigated significant water loss at a mining accommodation camp in Cue, Western Australia, containing more than 300 rooms.

Despite the volume of water being lost, there was no visible evidence at the surface.

Systematic valve isolation was used to narrow the affected section of the underground network before tracer gas detection pinpointed the leak beneath a paved area.

When the area was excavated, the escaping water was found to be flowing directly into an old abandoned mining shaft beneath the site, explaining why the substantial water loss had remained invisible.

Mining Pipeline Leak Detection

Commercial Leak Detection can also investigate concealed leaks within underground pipelines across mining and industrial sites.

Pipeline leaks may be identified following unexplained pressure loss or when newly installed infrastructure fails pressure testing during commissioning.

Depending on the pipeline and site conditions, the investigation may involve a combination of:

• Pipeline pressure testing
• Underground pipe locating
• Tracer gas leak detection
• Acoustic leak detection
• System isolation
• Specialist underground investigation

Locating the leak accurately can significantly reduce the amount of excavation required to expose and repair the failed section.

Tracer Gas Leak Detection for Mining Sites

Tracer gas is particularly useful for investigating buried pipelines where the leak cannot be identified visually or where site conditions make acoustic detection difficult.

A tracer gas mixture can be introduced into an isolated pipeline. Where the pipeline is leaking, gas escapes through the defect and can migrate through the surrounding ground.

Specialist detection equipment is then used to survey the pipeline route and identify concentrations associated with the leak location.

Tracer gas leak detection can be useful when investigating:

• Underground water mains
• Buried pipelines
• Polyethylene pipework
• Deep underground services
• Mining camp water networks
• Newly installed pipelines
• Systems failing pressure testing
• Infrastructure where acoustic detection is limited

Diesel Pipeline Leak Detection

Mining leak detection is not limited to water infrastructure.

Commercial Leak Detection was engaged at the Covalent Lithium mine after a newly installed underground diesel pipeline failed pressure testing during commissioning.

The underground pipeline was investigated using tracer gas together with specialist pipe locating techniques.

The investigation ultimately identified four separate underground leaks. Each location could then be excavated and repaired before further testing was performed.

Following the repairs, the pipeline successfully passed its final pressure test and could proceed towards commissioning.

This is particularly valuable on the new service page because it provides genuine evidence that CLD’s mining capability extends beyond conventional water leak detection.

Fire Main Leak Detection for Mine Sites

Mining and industrial facilities can also contain extensive underground fire mains and hydrant networks.

A loss of pressure within a buried fire main may indicate an underground leak even when there is no visible water at the surface.

Commercial Leak Detection provides specialist Fire Main Leak Detection to help determine the location of concealed failures before targeted excavation and repair.

This can be particularly important where fire infrastructure passes beneath roads, hardstands, operational areas or other developed parts of a mine site.

Leak Detection for Failed Pressure Tests

Newly installed mining pipelines and infrastructure often require pressure testing before commissioning.

A failed pressure test confirms that the system is losing pressure, but it does not necessarily reveal where the failure is located.

Specialist leak detection can be used to investigate the affected pipeline and identify the likely leak location.

This allows construction, plumbing or maintenance teams to undertake targeted excavation and repairs before the system is tested again.

CLD’s mining and infrastructure project work already provides real examples of this process, including the diesel pipeline investigation at Covalent Lithium.

Non-Destructive Mining Leak Detection

Large-scale excavation is rarely the most efficient starting point when the location of an underground leak is unknown.

Commercial Leak Detection uses specialist equipment to narrow the investigation area and pinpoint concealed leaks before repair work begins.

Depending on the infrastructure and conditions, our leak detection methods can include:

Tracer Gas Leak Detection
Useful for locating leaks in underground pipelines and situations where conventional acoustic methods may be limited.

Acoustic Leak Detection
Specialist listening equipment can identify sound generated by pressurised water escaping from underground pipework.

Thermal Imaging
Temperature variations can sometimes help identify concealed water movement or moisture associated with hidden leaks.

Underground Pipe Locating
Establishing the location and route of buried infrastructure can be an important first stage of a leak investigation.

Pressure Testing and System Isolation
Individual sections of a network can be tested or isolated to progressively narrow the search area.

Reducing Excavation and Operational Disruption

Accurately locating an underground leak before excavation can help mining operators avoid unnecessary disruption across the site.

A targeted investigation can help:

• Reduce unnecessary excavation
• Minimise disturbance to operational areas
• Reduce water loss
• Identify repair locations more accurately
• Reduce investigation time
• Assist maintenance and repair contractors
• Reduce delays during pipeline commissioning
• Protect surrounding infrastructure

This is particularly important on remote mining sites where access, labour, equipment and water can all carry additional operational costs.

Mining and Remote Site Leak Detection Across WA

Commercial Leak Detection is based in Perth and services metropolitan, regional and remote Western Australia, including mining and industrial operations. 

Whether the issue involves unexplained water consumption at a mining camp, an underground pipeline failing pressure testing or pressure loss within critical site infrastructure, our focus is on accurately locating the problem so targeted repairs can proceed.

Mining Leak Detection Services

Commercial Leak Detection can assist mining operations with:

• Commercial water leak detection
• Underground water main leak detection
• Mining camp leak detection
• Pipeline leak detection
• Fire main leak detection
• Tracer gas leak detection
• Underground pipe locating
• Pressure loss investigation
• Failed pressure test investigation
• Remote site leak detection

For further information on the broader benefits of early and accurate leak location, see Why Commercial Leak Detection Matters.

Need Leak Detection on a Mine Site?

If your mine site, mining camp or associated industrial facility is experiencing unexplained water loss, pipeline pressure loss, a failed pressure test or a suspected underground leak, contact Commercial Leak Detection.

We provide specialist mining leak detection throughout Western Australia, including regional and remote sites.