MINING LEASE No ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REPORT APRIL 2014

Transcription

1 MINING LEASE No ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REPORT APRIL 2014 MOP Commencement : 1 January 2008 MOP Completion : 1 January 2015 AEMR Commencement : 1 April 2013 AEMR Completion: 31 March 2014 Name of Leaseholder : Abterra Australia Pty Ltd ABN Reporting Officer: Lee Rossetti Annual Environmental Management Report

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL OBJECTIVES Scope History of Operations Consents, Leases and Licences Location and Land Ownership Mine Contacts Statutory Positions Product Use and Markets Iron Ore Products and Sales Figures OPERATIONS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD Activity Statement for Broula Mine (April 13- March 14) Exploration Land Preparation Construction Mining Mineral Processing Waste Management Production and Waste Schedule for the Broula Mine Water Management Hazardous Material Management Other infrastructure Management ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Air Quality Erosion and Sediment Control Surface Water Pollution Ground Water Pollution Contaminated Land Threatened Flora Threatened Fauna Weeds Blasting Operational Noise Visual Stray Light Aboriginal Heritage Natural Heritage Spontaneous Combustion Bushfire Mine Subsidence Hydrocarbon Contamination Methane Drainage/Ventilation Public Safety Other Issues and Risks Annual Environmental Management Report Page 2

3 4.0 COMMUNITY RELATIONS Environmental Complaints Community Liaison REHABILITATION Buildings Rehabilitation of Disturbed Land Other infrastructure ACTIVITIES PROPOSED IN THE NEXT AEMR PERIOD PHOTOGRAPHS (Mining) PLAN 8.1 Broula Mine Site Plan..16 Annual Environmental Management Report Page 3

4 1. INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL OBJECTIVES 1.1 Scope This Annual Environmental Management Report (AEMR) for (the Broula Mine) was prepared to comply with the conditions of Mining Lease No (ML1616) during the reporting period 1 April March The AEMR forms part of the Department of Industry and Investment (DII) (formerly the Department of Primary Industries (DPI)) Mining Rehabilitation and Environmental Management Process (MREMP), which requires the leaseholder to prepare and submit an AEMR on or about the anniversary of grant of any Mining Lease. 1.2 History of Operations ML1616 was granted to Somerset Mining Pty Ltd (SMPL) on 31 March 2008 by the NSW DPI. Mining operations commenced in late-august 2008 with re-alignment of fences, removal of limited areas of vegetation, installation of sediment catch drains and dams, and preparatory work for access road works and overburden removal. Mining activity commenced in late-september Routine mining activities commenced in mid-february, 2009 and continued throughout the remainder of the reporting period. The mine was placed on care and maintenance in mid-february, 2010 pending a review of operations. The mine remained on care and maintenance until. April 2012, then commenced production and has continued through-out the recording period 1.3 Consents, Leases and Licences Development Consent for mining at Broula was granted by Cowra Shire on 25 June 2007 pursuant to Development Application No. 14/2007. ML1616 was granted by the NSW Minister for Primary Industries for a period of twenty years from 31 March Abterra undertakes its activities in accordance with the conditions of consent from Cowra Shire, the conditions attaching to ML1616 and Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Licence No Location and Land Ownership The lease area of hectares is located approximately 20 kms west of Cowra with access off the Mid-Western Highway. The lease occupies private land the southern portion owned by Mr & Mrs B Walker of Broula via Cowra, NSW and the northern portion is now owned by Abterra 1.5 Mine Contacts Statutory Positions Mine Name Mine Owner Mine Operator Production Manager Abterra Australia Pty Ltd Consolidated Mining &Civil Mr. Jamie Logan Mine Contact Number Production Manager s Contacts broula.manager@conmc.net.au Annual Environmental Management Report Page 4

5 Alternate Contact: Broula Transport Manager: Consolidated Mining & Civil Office Number (08) Consolidated Mining & Civil Facsimile (08) Consolidated Mining & Civil Address Mine Site Address Postal Address Mid-Western Highway Suite 201, 10 Century Circuit, Via Cowra NSW 2794 Baulkham Hills NSW Product Use and Markets During Reporting Period the Broula Mine produced magnetite ore for use by Sebelco Australia Ltd in the production of magnetite concentrate at its Tallawang Mine near Mudgee for use as a dense medium additive in coal preparation. Exportation of ore from Port Kembla to selected markets has also commenced and other markets are being investigated for both iron ore types and limestone that form the bulk of the deposit. 2. OPERATIONS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD 2.1 Activity Statement for the Broula Mine (April 13 March 14) The mine has been fully operational since April 2012 with mining operations inclusive of drilling, blasting, loading and hauling and stockpiling of overburden, as well as drilling, blasting, loading, hauling and crushing of magnetite iron ore. Crushed ore is transported from ML1616 by articulated on-road tipper trucks. Typical mine design parameters include: Bench heights of between 10 and 16 metres as determined by overburden thickness. Bench widths typically 5 meters minimum. 10 meter wide ramps at grades of up to 1 in 8. Working face batters of 75 degrees from the vertical. Material density 2.6 tonnes per bcm in overburden and 4.2 tonnes per bcm in iron ore. Mining rates were typically 1,000 bank cubic metres (BCM) per day in overburden and 1,000 tonnes per day (tpd) in iron ore. Annual Environmental Management Report Page 5

6 Mine equipment included the following not all working concurrently: 2 x 30 tonne Excavator 1 x 160 tonne Excavator 1 x 100 tonne Excavator 1 x 120 tonne Excavator 4 x 50 tonne rigid dump trucks 1 x Cat 980 Front end loader 1 x Cat 972 Front end loader 1 x Cat D8K Dozer 1 x 10,000 litre rigid water cart 1 x PremierTrak 900 x 600 jaw crusher 2 x MaxTrak 1000 cone crusher 1 x Mobile screening plant 4 x Light vehicles 1 x Electronic weighbridge 3 x Transportable buildings 1 x Mobile workshop 1 x Fuel 100,000Ltr transtank Mine operating hours were generally Monday to Friday, well within the Cowra Shire Consent Conditions. During operations the mine employed up to 12 full time staff including the Production Manager. 2.2 Exploration There has been no exploration in this period 2.3 Land Preparation A small Strip of land along the eastern footprint boundary cleared in accordance with the M.O.P to enable waste stockpiles to be properly formed. This land was inspected for threatened flora and fauna by a suitable qualified person before any work commenced. In addition existing topsoil stockpiles were moved and consolidated in accordance with the M.O.P. Subsoil stockpiles were also moved and consolidated. 2.4 Construction No construction activities were undertaken during the period. 2.5 Mining Mining activities continued through the reporting period 2.6 Mineral Processing Crushing and magnetic separation continued throughout the reporting period. Annual Environmental Management Report Page 6

7 2.7 Waste Management Over-burden removed from above and beside the iron ore was stockpiled to the east and north of the open pit. As operations are in the developmental stage no rehabilitation is possible until waste repositories have achieved their final configuration, at least in part. Some remedial run-off management activities took place during the period, mainly to ensure that topsoil stockpiles were protected from erosion. All general rubbish created at the site and some contaminated gravel from within bunded areas was collected and disposed of at the Cowra Waste Depot in according to the Lease and Licence conditions. 2.8 Production and Waste Schedule for the Broula Mine BROULA MINE Year - April to March Topsoil Removal (bcm) Overburden Removal (bcm) Ore Production (tonnes) Iron Ore Sales (tonnes) Limestone Sales (tonnes) 2008/09 1,000 30,000 10,300 10, /10 10, ,000 74,000 74, /11 5, ,000 10,000 10, / , , ,000 70, / , , ,000 70, / ,842 73,518 42, Operating Days 2.9 Water Management The surface water management plan is described in detail in the current MOP. There were no changes to this water management plan during the reporting period. Waste Storage Dam B (WSDB) remained at less than 80% capacity. Water management at Broula Mine is focused on the control of runoff from disturbed areas to minimize the potential for off-site discharge of runoff carrying sediments from the site. Surface runoff from existing operations is directed into WSDB (Plan in section 8.1) Catch drains are fitted with silt stop fencing with spacing between fences of approximately 20 metres. Fences are cleared of sediment after each rain event as necessary. During the period additional coarse overburden rock was placed in all catch drains as a means of better controlling scouring and retention of sediment. Annual Environmental Management Report Page 7

8 Diversion drains were installed to direct water away from topsoil stockpiles where necessary. The Dam was built in accordance with standard construction practice employed by DWE and industry from materials won on site. To date WSDB has held sufficient water for use in site dust control Hazardous Material Management Fuel oils and grease are currently stored within ML1616. Fuel is contained in a self bounded trans tank Oil and grease are contained in a bounded container. Appropriate MDS sheets and spill kits are on site 2.11 Other Infrastructure Management Iron ore product was, and will again be transported off site via articulated on-road tipper trucks. These vehicles travel south along the mine access road to the Mid-Western Highway then turn east onto the Highway towards Cowra. Trucks travel to Cowra then to Port Kembla via Boorowa, Yass, and the state highway network. Product transport from the site is largely dictated by demand, with approximately twenty to twenty five loads or an average of 950 tonnes per day leaving site under the current market requirement of approximately 19,000 tonnes per month. 3. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Environmental management at the Broula Mine is conducted in accordance with Aberra s Development Consent conditions, the MOP for ML1616 and EPA Licence No Air Quality Air quality issues associated with the Broula Mine relate primarily to the potential for dust generation. Dust control practices currently employed at the Broula Mine ensure that dust generation from potential sources is minimised. Air quality monitoring is required under the existing EPA License No Monitoring during the period showed low levels of deposited dust at all specified locations (Sampling Method AM-19). All of the results fell within the guidelines of 4 gm/m 2 /month and results are routinely copied to the EPA. Dust control measures during operations consisted of the following: Maintenance of all trafficable and stockpile areas including, when necessary, spraying with water. Minimising potential dust generation from disturbed areas by application of water from the mobile water-cart. Use of dust-suppressing sprays on crushers and screens or watering of crusher feed stockpiles to prevent dust generation during crushing and screening operations. Ensuring that all trucks transporting iron ore from the Broula Mine site are effectively covered and loads secured to prevent dust generation and loss of product during transit. Annual Environmental Management Report Page 8

9 Dust monitoring has been undertaken since August 2008 and results are shown on the Abterra Australia Pty Ltd website ( High Volume Air Sampling (HVAS PM10) commenced in September, 2009 (Sampling Method PM-10) at the Tallarook site results are shown on the company s web site. No complaints concerning air quality were received from neighbours during the period. 3.2 Erosion and Sediment Control Erosion and sediment transport are controlled by the minimisation of runoff through disturbed or exposed unvegetated areas. Minor erosion occurs on site due to relatively low rainfall. All runoff water is firstly diverted to sediment catch drains, and then further to the sediment catch dam WSDB. Cleared vegetation is placed in windrows uphill of the catch drains and acts as sediment traps. Silt fences are located along the catch drains to inhibit sediment flow along the drains and to prevent breaching of the outer perimeter of the drains. Topsoil was moved and stockpiled to minimize erosion. 3.3 Surface Water Pollution The only means of polluting surface water on the Broula Mine site is from sediments collected from mining activities and erosion. All hydrocarbons are contained within bunded areas, storage sheds or in on-road vehicles thereby preventing contaminated water escaping into the drainage system. All sediments that are carried within water flows are collected within the WSDB. Even though the site has experienced several significant rainfall events during the reporting period there is no evidence of discharge from the sediment catch dam to the natural drainage system. 3.4 Ground Water Pollution The existing open pit is above the water table. There are no water bores used by the operation, as all water requirements are recycled from surface water runoff collected in the approved dams. There is no ground water pollution emanating from the site. In March, 2010 two water monitoring bores were drilled under Licences issued by the Department of Water & Energy (DWE) and on the advice of ground water consultants Aquaterra. 3.5 Contaminated Land As all potential land contaminants were effectively controlled, contained and/or removed from the site. 3.6 Threatened Flora There were no issues relating to threatened flora identified during the reporting period. 3.7 Threatened Fauna There were no issues relating to threatened fauna identified during the reporting period. The eagles noted as being of concern during the EIS process are seen daily soaring above the mine site. Annual Environmental Management Report Page 9

10 3.8 Weeds Spraying for weed control will be used only as required. One spraying campaign was conducted during the reporting period. This was done by a suitably qualified person. 3.9 Blasting Blasting has been on going in the reporting period with all monitoring results posted on the Abterra web site Operational Noise Noise limits are included in EPA Licence No for the Broula Mine. To date and within the reporting period no formal complaints concerning noise impact have been received by site management Visual Stray Light Mining operations are mostly restricted to daylight hours during winter months some artificial lighting is required for up to 2 hours in the early evening. These lights are not visible from the neighbouring residences Aboriginal Heritage The scarred tree on the eastern boundary of ML1616 is being avoided and protected. It is the belief of Abterra, on the advice of Mr Bill Chapman, surveyor, that the tree is not an Aboriginal Heritage scarred tree but in fact a tree blazed by the original surveyor in the mid-1800 s and is so marked on the survey plans of that time Natural Heritage No activities affected the areas of natural heritage identified in the EIS during the reporting period Spontaneous Combustion No material susceptible to spontaneous combustion is stored on site Bushfire There were no bush fires in the area during the reporting period. Consolidated Mining & Civil has a Bushfire Management Plan Mine Subsidence Not applicable. Annual Environmental Management Report Page 10

11 3.17 Hydrocarbon Contamination All hydrocarbons are stored within controlled areas i.e. bunds or on-road vehicles. No significant spills or contamination occurred during the AEMR period that required remediation Methane Drainage/Ventilation Not Applicable 3.19 Public Safety Access to the Broula Mine is via the 650 m long mine access and haul road that exits from the Mid- Western Highway on the southern boundary of ML1616. This single entrance has a gate and is sign posted with both safety warning and visitor instruction signs. The mine site is fenced with rural style fencing. The layout and construction of fencing has been conducted in consultation with the landowner. In addition, safety bunds and safety signs have been installed in areas identified in accordance with site safety procedures detailed in the Mine Safety Management Plan. Safe operation of the Broula Mine is a requirement under the Mines Inspection Act & Regulations, and under the OH&S Act & Regulations Other Issues and Risks Abterra, in consultation with the company s road freight contractors, the Broula community, Cowra Shire and Cowra Bus Services compiled a Road Transport Protocol (RTP). This RTP encompasses certain requirements of Abterra contained in consent and licence conditions as well as a raft of voluntary restrictions imposed by Abterra on trucks carrying product from the mine site. 4 COMMUNITY RELATIONS 4.1 Environmental Complaints There were no environmental complaints during the reporting period. 4.2 Community Liaison A phone number for complaints is fully operational. Consolidated Mining & Civil has established a web site to promulgate community and environmental monitoring information and the Community Consultative Committee has met quarterly during this AEMR period. Site inspections by CCC members have been taken place regularly. Annual Environmental Management Report Page 11

12 5. REHABILITATION (THIS AEMR PERIOD) Topsoil stockpiles were moved and consolidated in accordance with the M.O.P. No rehabilitation of waste dumps has been completed. Rehabilitation will commence once waste stockpiles have reached final form. 5.1 Buildings A new site office was installed during the reporting period. It is located at the entrance to the mine. 5.2 Rehabilitation of Disturbed Land No rehabilitation was undertaken during the reporting period. Operations temporarily ceased in mid- February and a review of development and production options for future activities was conducted. An expansive project option that considered further lateral extensions and an increase to the existing waste dump heights rendered the commencement of waste dump rehabilitation as premature. 5.3 Other infrastructure No additional infrastructure was installed during the period. 6. ACTIVITIES PROPOSED IN THE NEXT AEMR PERIOD The mine will continue to be open cut and during the next reporting period will extend downward, eastward and northward from the existing open pit. Over the full EIS life of the project, the open pit will extend westward, eastward, northward and southward with a depth extension planned to the 300 m RL. This activity together with the overburden repositories and ore storage positions will be the subject of an additional MOP and Development Application to the Cowra Shire Council which will incorporate an additional ML for the purpose of material storage. Upon advice from the NSW DPI Mine Titles Branch the newly applied for and adjacent ML area may be consolidated into a single ML unit having one and only one assigned ML number. Annual Environmental Management Report Page 12

13 7. PHOTOGRAPHS Broula Mine Low Level Oblique Aerial Photograph View from the South - April 2010 Annual Environmental Management Report Page 13

14 Low Level Oblique Aerial Photograph View from the N-W - April 2010 Workshop Facility, Weighbridge and Waste Emplacement Annual Environmental Management Report Page 14

15 Open Pit view from N-W Rim Annual Environmental Management Report Page 15

16 Views Across Northern End of Open Pit to East to Overburden Emplacement Annual Environmental Management Report Page 16

17 8. Plan 8.1 Broula Mine Site Plan Annual Environmental Management Report Page 17