Science, Technology and Engineering

Environmental Geoscience

Graduates

Silvana Santomartino

Project Environmental Geochemist, URS Corporation

From an early age, I had been interested in protecting the environment. My decision to study at La Trobe was influenced by the small class sizes and a course curriculum that was focused on the physical sciences. I commenced the Environmental Science undergraduate degree in 1997 and particularly enjoyed the soil science, geology and chemistry subjects. As a result I chose to undertake an Honours project on acid sulfate soils and later, undertook a summer research project at Australian National University also this topic. During summer work experience at Rio Tinto I developed an interest in mining and, in 2001, began a PhD at La Trobe incorporating soils, acid and mining! My PhD focused on the treatment of acid waters produced during mining activities and I supplemented my study with casual work at an environmental consultancy company, Earth Systems.

Immediately following the completion of my PhD in 2004, I joined URS, an international environmental and engineering consultancy company, as a Project Environmental Geochemist. Based in the Brisbane office, I am a member of the Mining Geochemistry group. I work on a large variety of projects for a wide variety of clients including Thiess, Xstrata, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance , Gladstone Pacific Nickel and Rio Tinto Ltd. My main role is to conduct geochemical assessments on potential mine waste material to determine suitable management options for these materials when mining commences.

In addition, I project manage the development of mine closure plans and am being trained as a Health, Safety, Environment and Community auditor. In addition to acid mine drainage work, I also manage a variety of acid sulfate soils projects. I have assessed and managed acid sulfate soils during installation of pipelines and fibre optic cables for local councils and contractors, have prepared management plans for a developer of a Gold Coast canal estate and have undertaken acid sulfate soil investigations of proposed mine sites for mining companies. As Queensland is on the forefront for developing legislation to analyse and manage these soils, another of my roles is to provide advice to personnel from other URS offices within Australia . Although my job at URS is generally office-based, I do have the opportunity to travel to many interesting locations around Australia.