The Great Artesian Basin supports many mound springs within an arid region. The mound springs are natural up-wellings of water which, over millennia, deposit water-borne minerals that form into mounds. The springs are unique arid land habitats and have world class natural and cultural significance. They support rare and delicate micro flora and fauna, many species of which are endemic to a particular mound spring.

Sine water extraction for the mine began in a region now known as Borefield A, many of the surrounding mound spring complexes have experienced reduced flows, or have ceased flowing altogether.

The mound springs are of profound cultural significance to the Aboriginal people of the region. The Arabunna people are the traditional custodians of the Lake Eyre South region, the land in which effected mound springs are located. The springs and the Artesian waters that supply them form an integral part of the communal intellectual property of the Arabunna people.

WMC refused to negotiate with the Arabunna or be party to any initiatives to preserve and protect the mound springs.

In fact, former owners WMC mounted an extensive campaign against the World Heritage nomination of the Lake Eyre Basin. It had a vested interest in preventing World Heritage nomination because of its profligate use of water from the Great Artesian Basin.