Environmental Monitoring Database for Glencore

The project began with a clear goal: to build a simple Environmental Monitoring Database that would help Xstrata Coal (now Glencore) track and report on methane flaring. Since methane is a greenhouse gas 27 times more harmful than CO₂, the company initially addressed the issue by burning it off through flaring.

Eventually, they shifted toward capturing the gas to generate electricity. To support this transition and meet government compliance, they needed a secure and tamper-proof system that could measure and report emissions with precision.

As the environmental management team recognised the platform’s broader potential, they expanded its scope. The system soon included a wide range of environmental data—such as meteorological readings, groundwater and surface water levels, dust monitoring, blasting activity, and more—turning it into a comprehensive environmental monitoring solution.

Solution Delivered

Launched in 2008 the Environmental Monitoring Database (EMD) has grown significantly both in many ways. It now supports:

Hundreds of environmental sample types
18 different mine sites
Hundreds of users
Integrations with dozens external data sources and systems

Timeline of Key Milestones

2008: DB Gurus developed the initial Environmental Monitoring Database for the Beltana mine (Bulga), integrating multiple data sources.
2009–2010: The system was replicated and tailored for two more Xstrata sites in the Hunter Valley.
2011: EMD was rolled out to all 10 NSW coal mines operated by Xstrata, primarily in the Hunter Valley and Newcastle regions.
2013: After Xstrata became Glencore, five more Queensland mine sites were added.
2014–2015: We launched Version 2 (V2)—a multi-tenant system with a single codebase. It allowed users to switch between mines and generate cross-site reports. The platform expanded to cover 18 mine sites.
2016–Present: Continuous improvements to performance, usability, and integrations. The system now supports even more data sources, providers, and sample types, with enhanced speed and functionality.

Project Review

Duration

Over 15 years of ongoing development on the Environmental Monitoring Database—and still going strong.

Challenges

Performance at scale: With vast amounts of data added yearly, keeping the system fast and responsive has been a challenge.
Highly flexible design: The ability to dynamically add tables, fields, and reports demands a robust and adaptable backend.

Successes

Seamless rollouts with minimal downtime
High user satisfaction
Reliable and easy to use

Key Features Developed

Advanced notification system to flag issues
Geographic mapping of sample sites
Dynamic graphing and charting tools
Excel exports and reporting tools
Integrations with third-party systems like ALS, Dynamaster, and Novacom

Lessons Learned

In the early stages, we created separate copies of the database for each site. This led to inefficiencies, as fixes had to be made in multiple places. This was resolved with the introduction of Version 2, which consolidated all sites under a shared, maintainable codebase.

Training & Support

A collection of practical “cheat sheets”
Step-by-step training videos covering common tasks and features

#Glencore #Environmental #Mining

Next Steps

To read about why it is important see The Benefits of Implementing an Environmental Monitoring Database System in the Mining Industry

To have a chat about what we can do for you please book a call with our friendly team.

Some useful links

Visit the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), which provides resources and regulations on environmental protection in New South Wales.

Explore ALS Environmental, offering services for environmental testing, monitoring, and compliance across various industries.

Learn more about Ecotech, a leading provider of environmental monitoring solutions and technologies for air quality, emissions, and more.

Discover Gauge Environmental, specializing in environmental consultancy and monitoring services across various industries in Australia.

Check out AECOM Environmental Monitoring, providing solutions for environmental data collection and management to support sustainability and compliance.