ENVIRONMENT INDUCTION. Section 5

Transcription

1 ENVIRONMENT INDUCTION Section 5 1

2 Overview Environmental Legal Obligations Environment Policy Environmental Commitment InSitu Recovery (ISR) Mining Low Environmental Impact Monitoring and Reporting Environmental Clearance Permits Minimising Impacts Fenced Areas Snakes Waste Management General Operations 2

3 Environmental Legal Obligations Heathgate has a Company Environmental Policy Statement is regulated through our Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR) and various licences regularly reports on its environmental performance to government and releases its annual environment report (Annual Compliance Report) to the public Photo taken at Four Mile Creek 3

4 Environmental Policy 4

5 Environmental Commitment Visitors and the indigenous community are welcome to visit the mine site to see how little impact our mining operations have on all aspects of the natural environment 5

6 ISR Mining Environmentally Low Impact Heathgate makes the following statements to stakeholders Minimal Surface Impact wells and surface run pipes are linked to wellhouses which are linked to trunklines that carry solutions to and from the plant no big hole in the ground or underground tunnels Minimal Waste products - no rock waste or tailings dams Minimal site infrastructure the processing plant uses an ion exchange process similar to a water softener system there is no crushing or milling 6

7 Monitoring Reporting to Regulators Regulatory reporting includes groundwater monitor wells - water levels and chemistry vegetation fauna Ecosystem Function Analysis (EFA) soil and surface hydrology meteorological data waste management environmental radiation Do not disturb monitoring sites 7

8 Environmental Clearance Permits An Environmental Clearance Permit must be obtained from the Health, Safety, Security and Environment Department (HSSE) before entering any undisturbed area or area under rehabilitation A copy of the Environmental Clearance Permit must be held by and understood by the person/group doing the work before vehicle access or work begins in an undisturbed area or area under rehabilitation It is the responsibility of all individuals to comply with an Environmental Clearance Permit An Environmental Clearance Permit prevents unplanned disturbances and minimises destruction of habitat and heritage sites allows fencing/flagging of sensitive areas enables design of a track network for access enables the area of expected disturbance to be defined 8

9 Minimise Impact - Vegetation Clearance Clearing vegetation: removes important habitat for native animals reduces seed source availability removes ground cover reduces ground surface protection leads to nuisance caused by dust allows for wind and water erosion can create a cycle of further erosion affects the whole ecosystem 9

10 Minimise Impact Remove Topsoil Before Excavation Topsoil must be removed and stockpiled separately, adjacent to the excavation e.g. drill pits drill pit topsoil excavated material topsoil contains valuable seeds and nutrients and must be returned to the top for rehabilitation to occur gibber (stony cover) prevents erosion 10

11 Minimise Impact - Tracks Keep to established roads and tracks If another route is needed, obtain an Environmental Clearance Permit from ESH Tracks: compact soil increase dust create a pathway for erosion impact on soil ecology and vegetation potential 11

12 Minimise Impact - General Drive at a safe speed within the speed limits consider weather and road conditions Confine the impact of all disturbances to a minimum area Avoid sensitive vegetation (e.g. trees and shrubs), soakage areas and vegetation along the margins of creeks Return topsoil for capping to in-filled areas where excavation has occurred (it is an important source of seed and nutrients necessary for local plant regeneration and therefore rehabilitation) Alien plants/weeds, pets, firearms and fires are prohibited on site 12

13 Minimise Impact - General The following rules apply drive only on the established road network and drive or reverse to predetermined turn around zones Green markers identify proposed tracks NEVER reverse in a wellfield unless a spotter is present excavations and drill cuttings are not to be placed in sensitive areas do not disturb drill cuttings unless doing the rehabilitation of the drill site Drill cuttings 13

14 Fenced areas Fenced areas must not be disturbed or entered Fencing protects sensitive areas (cultural and environmental) must not be removed or altered unless discussed with HSSE staff 14

15 Snakes Snakes are generally very shy may become aggressive if cornered or are distressed may strike to defend themselves ALL snakes are protected species To avoid snake bites NEVER try to catch, annoy or kill a snake If you see a snake remain still to allow it to move on and note where it goes warn others nearby of its presence contact HSSE ASAP if it is near a work area or camp for capture and relocation by trained snake handlers Remember, snakes are most active on warm to hot nights so carry a torch and wear appropriate shoes and trousers to protect from snake bites which usually occur on the lower leg 15

16 Waste Management Site generates two types of waste General (non-radioactive) waste dispose in green plastic wheelie bins at plant, wellhouses, offices and camp rubbish dumped in the general waste facility must be covered with fill or soil immediately if in doubt, scan the item Low Specific Activity (low level radioactive) waste (LLW) dispose in lined 200 L steel drums inside the plant and at wellhouses is collected and disposed on in specifically engineered, lined LLW facilities also refer to Radiation Induction) Recycle where possible (bins in work and camp areas) - recyclables are collected, packaged and transported offsite to recycling facilities 17

17 General Operation Always remain on existing roads and tracks Trapping, hunting or harming animals is prohibited except in approved HSSE programs Feral, injured/trapped or dead animals must be reported to the HSSE Please do not feed any animals DO NOT cross the gas pipeline, adjacent to the main access road from plant to main gate, except at constructed crossings 18

18 General Operation Ensure all rubbish is collected and disposed of correctly Cigarette butts must be disposed of in butt bins or general waste bins - personal butt bins are available from HSSE - DO NOT throw on the ground Scrap plastic should be tied in a knot prior to disposal to prevent it from blowing around Reuse, recycle and reduce as much material as possible - ideas are always welcomed by HSSE Immediately contain spills (e.g. radioactive, chemical, oil, grease, cement, drilling mud, water) and report to HSSE 19

19 Please complete the Environment Quiz you have been given and move to the next section If in doubt at any time just ask HSSE 20