ANNUAL ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REPORT DURALIE COAL MINE PLANS AND APPENDICES VOLUME 4 SEPTEMBER 2008 PART B

Transcription

1 ANNUAL ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REPORT DURALIE COAL MINE PLANS AND APPENDICES VOLUME 4 SEPTEMBER 2008 PART B DURALIE COAL PTY LTD 4 SEPTEMBER 2008

2 Duralie Coal Mine NOISE SURVEYS Annual Environmental Management Report September2008

3 Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Duralie Coal Mine October 2007 Report No. 29N TRP Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd Newcastle, NSW

4 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 2 of 28 DOCUMENT CONTROL Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Duralie Coal Mine October 2007 REPORT NO: LIBRARY CODE: 29N TRP RE 39 PREPARED FOR: PREPARED BY: Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd P.O. Box 168 Shop 5 Laycock Street Gloucester NSW 2422 Carey Bay NSW 2283 AUSTRALIA Contact: Mr John Trotter huntervalley@vipac.com.au Phone: (02) Phone: (02) Fax : (02) Fax : (02) AUTHOR: REVIEWED BY: APPROVED BY: REVISION HISTORY: Simon Ritchie Date: 14 th November 2007 Consulting Engineer Ian Guy Date: 14 th November 2007 Manager, Newcastle Office Ian Guy Date: 14 th November 2007 Manager, Newcastle Office Revision No. Date Issued Reason/Comments DISTRIBUTION: 00 Date: 14 th November 2007 Initial Draft Issue Copy No._2_ Location 1 Project 2 UNCONTROLLED COPY Client, pdf format 3 Client KEYWORDS: Mining, Environmental Noise, Routine Survey This document contains commercial, conceptual and engineering information, which is proprietary to VIPAC Engineers & Scientists Ltd. We specifically state that inclusion of this information does not grant the Client any license to use the information without VIPAC's written permission. We further require that the information not be divulged to a third party without our written consent. Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

5 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 3 of 28 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd (VIPAC) was engaged to undertake Environmental Compliance Noise Monitoring in the rural environment surrounding the Duralie Coal Mine (DCM) Site, Bucketts Way, Stroud Road NSW. The purpose of the assessment was to conduct ambient noise monitoring in accordance with the Department of Planning (DoP) Development Consent Modification Schedule 3 Condition 2, dated 2006 and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA s) Environmental Pollution Licence (EPL 11701), Section L6.1, Noise Limits. The noise monitoring survey commenced at 19:50hrs on Wednesday 17 th October and ended at 15:30hrs on Thursday 18 th October Day-time Operator Attended Impact Assessment 18 th October 2007 DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the day-time attended noise monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion N2 S. Doherty < AS1 Gibson Nil 35 0 AS3 T. Jensen < Evening-time Operator Attended Impact Assessment 17 th October 2007 DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the evening-time attended noise-monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AS1 Gibson Nil 35 0 N2 S. Doherty < AS3 T. Jensen Night-time Operator Attended Impact Assessment 17 th 18 th October 2007 DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the night-time attended noise monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AS1 Gibson <30, < , 0 N2 S. Doherty 34, < , 0 AS3 T. Jensen 33, , 0 Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

6 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 4 of 28 Assessment of Compliance The nominated monitoring locations represent the closest residences to the mine so that further located properties will receive mine noise levels somewhat lower than those measured, due to distance attenuation under stable atmospheric conditions. Under the prevailing weather conditions and based on the attended monitoring results it is concluded that mine noise emissions did not breach the criteria at any nearby residence during the 17 th 18 th October Mine operating noise emissions were at or below the 35 noise criteria at all monitoring locations during the October 2007 Environmental Noise Level Survey. Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

7 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 5 of 28 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION DEFINITIONS OF ACOUSTICAL TERMS DURALIE COAL MINE SITE DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION METHODOLOGY INSTRUMENTS MONITORING LOCATIONS MONITORING WEATHER CRITERIA TEMPERATURE INVERSION CONDITIONS RESULTS EVENING SURVEY RESULTS WEDNESDAY 17 TH OCTOBER Equipment Operating Prevailing Weather Conditions Table 5.2.3: Evening Noise Survey Results, 17 th October : Impact Assessment NIGHT SURVEY RESULTS TUESDAY 17TH 18TH OCTOBER Equipment Operating Prevailing Weather Conditions Table 5.3.3: Night time Noise Survey Results, 17 th 18 th October : Impact Assessment DAYTIME SURVEY RESULTS THURSDAY 18 TH OCTOBER Equipment Operating Prevailing Weather Conditions Table 5.1.3: Daytime Noise Survey Results, 18 th October Impact Assessment COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION APPENDIX A: WEATHER CONDITIONS APPENDIX B: LOCALITY MAP & SURVEY LOCATIONS APPENDIX C: TIME TRACES Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

8 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 6 of INTRODUCTION Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd (VIPAC) was engaged to undertake Environmental Compliance Noise Monitoring in the rural environment surrounding the Duralie Coal Mine (DCM) Site, Buckets Way, Stroud Road NSW. The purpose of the assessment was to conduct ambient noise monitoring in accordance with the Department of Planning (DoP) Development Consent Modification Schedule 3 Condition 2, dated 2006 and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA s) Environmental Pollution Licence (EPL 11701), Section L6.1, Noise Limits. The noise monitoring survey commenced at 19:50hrs on Wednesday 17 th 15:30hrs on Thursday 18 th October October and ended at 1.1 DEFINITIONS OF ACOUSTICAL TERMS Table 1.1 provides the definitions of common acoustical terms and is presented as an aid to understanding this report. Table Acoustical Terms and Definition Term Definition A unit of measurement in decibels (A), of sound pressure level which has its frequency characteristics modified by a filter ("A-weighted") so as to more closely approximate the frequency response of the human ear. Lw Sound Power Level radiated by a noise source per unit time re 1pW. L P Sound pressure level (SPL) or sound level L p is a logarithmic measure of the rms sound pressure of a sound relative to a reference value. Leq Equivalent Continuous Noise Level - which, lasting for as long as a given noise event has the same amount of acoustic energy as the given event. L 90 The noise levels that is equalled or exceeded for 90% of the measurement period. An indicator of the mean minimum noise level, and is used in Australia as the descriptor for background or ambient noise (usually in dba). L 10 The noise levels that is equalled or exceeded for 10% of the measurement period. L 10 is an indicator of the mean maximum noise level, and is generally used in Australia as the descriptor for intrusive noise (usually in dba). Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

9 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 7 of DURALIE COAL MINE 2.1 SITE DESCRIPTION DCM is located east of the Bucketts Way between the villages of Stroud Road and Wards River, NSW. 2.2 DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION The following activities have the potential to generate noise during DCM operations: Operation of mobile equipment (e.g. excavators, loaders, haul trucks, dozers, graders, and water carts) for: - Vegetation removal and stripping/stockpiling of soil resources; - Open cut development and production; and - Haulage of raw coal and mine waste. Operation of fixed plant (e.g. ROM bin, raw coal conveyor, bin loading/unloading, lighting plant and pit pumps); Rail transportation of coal on the mining lease. 3. METHODOLOGY Ambient noise level measurements were conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Authority, (EPA), and as detailed in Australian Standard AS , Acoustics Description and Measurement of Environmental Noise, Part 1 General Procedures. The operator-attended surveys were conducted at each monitoring location to quantify ambient noise levels and the contributed levels of noise emitted from current Duralie Mining operations. Evening measurements were conducted between 19:50hrs 22:00hrs on Wednesday 17 th October Nighttime measurements were conducted between 22:20 01:47hrs on Wednesday 17 th to Thursday 18 th October Daytime measurements were conducted between 19:50hrs - 15:30hrs on Thursday 18 th October 2007 The Engineer determines Mine s noise contribution by noting instantaneous meter reading when the mine was clearly audible and dominant. Alternatively, the Mine s contribution was determined by noting the relative audibility of the mining activities at otherwise quiet times and establishing the difference in received sound level between the Mine s activities and the background noise level. The mine s contribution could be measured directly at most residential locations during the surveys. A scale of audibility is provided to gain a general understanding of the mining operations noise levels received at the nearby residential locations. Clearly Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) plus 5 and greater. Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) plus/minus 5. Faintly Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) minus 5 to 8. Not Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) minus 8 and less. Exceptions to the above could be intermittent sounds from reverse beeps and dozer tracks etc. On occasions when the background noise levels are elevated due to extraneous noise sources the mine noise emissions are determined utilizing the octave filters of the sound level meter. Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

10 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 8 of INSTRUMENTS Attended noise measurements were taken with A Brüel & Kjær (B&K) 2250 integrating sound level meter, fitted with a B&K 4189 ½ inch diameter electret microphone and a windshield. This instrument has performance characteristics within the requirements of Type 1 accuracy in accordance with AS1259, and has the capability to measure steady, fluctuating, intermittent and/or impulsive sound, and to compute and display percentile noise levels for the measuring period. During the attended surveys the B&K 2250 instrument was used to record a 1/3 octave, one second interval time trace of each 15-minute measurement enabling detailed analysis of the acoustic environment. Audio recording was performed simultaneously by the B&K2250 to enable crosschecking of the sample data where required. Noise levels over the 15-minute periods were calculated and stored in the B&K 2250 at each location during the surveys. The identifiable noise sources and their contributions were ranked in order of prominence. A Rion Sound Level Calibrator NC-73 was used to calibrate the SLM prior to measurement and checked at the conclusion. The difference in the two measurements was less than 0.5dB. The SLM was supported with the microphone approximately 1.5m above the ground at the monitoring locations. The 15-minute time traces from the surveys are collated in Appendix C. 3.2 MONITORING LOCATIONS Monitoring locations are described in Table below where operator attended noise monitoring was conducted and are shown on the Map of the Area, Appendix B. Table Monitoring Locations Location Resident/ Owner Address AS1 2 JS & KA Gibson Off Johnson Creek Road N2 S. Doherty 863 Johnson Creek Road AS3 2 T. Jensen Duralie Road REF 1 Mine Site W4 Johnson Creek Road Note: 1 Reference Site mine owned dwelling used as additional noise monitoring location. 2 Alternative noise monitoring site 3.3 MONITORING WEATHER The Mine Weather Station compound is located centrally on the Mine lease. Meteorological data from this location was collected by the Mine Management and provided to VIPAC for analysis. The weather station was configured to continuously record meteorological parameters such as wind direction, wind speed, temperature, sigma-theta and rainfall. Data from this station is presented in fifteen-minute intervals in Appendix A of this Report. Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

11 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 9 of CRITERIA The EPA s Environmental Pollution Licence (EPL 11701) L6.1 Noise Limits states the following: L6.1 Operational Noise from the premises must not exceed: Location SOUTHERN SITE (N1) Boundary of DCM controlled land adjacent to Johnson Creek Road 2 S DOHERTY (N2) AJ & DM HARRISON (N3) 3 Period Day, Evening & Night Day, Evening & Night Day, Evening & Night Noise Limits Intrusive Criteria Leq(15 minute) Note: 1. The noise emissions identified in L6.1 apply for prevailing meteorological conditions (winds up to 3ms -1 ), except under conditions of temperature inversions. 2. An alternative noise monitoring site (Gibson), which is the closest non-mine owned dwelling in the vicinity of N1 relative to mine operations (refer to site map in Appendix B). 3. An alternative noise monitoring site (T. Jensen), which is the closest non-mine owned dwelling in the vicinity of N3 relative to mine operations (refer to site map in Appendix B). Furthermore, DCM obtained approval from Department of Planning for the Duralie Coal Mine Extension Section 96(2) Modification Notice of Modification dated 30 th July 2006 (DA No. 169/99). The relevant noise criteria are given in Schedule 3 Condition 2 and is reproduced below. SCHEDULE 3 NOISE Noise Impact Assessment Criteria 2. The Applicant shall ensure that the noise generated by the development does not exceed the noise impact assessment criteria in Table 2. Day L Aeq (15 minute) (extract) Table 2: Noise Impact Assessment Criteria Evening L Aeq (15 minute) Night L Aeq (15 minute) Land Number Woodley Trigg N Relton (old) S Relton (new) Guidice 124 Zulomovski 135 Hare-Scott All other privately owned land excluding the land listed in Table 1 Notes: a) Noise from the development is to be measured at the most affected point or within the residential boundary, or at the most affected point within 30 metres of a dwelling (rural situations) where the dwelling is more than 30 metres from the boundary, to determine compliance with the L Aeq(15 minute) noise limits in the above table. Where it can be demonstrated that direct measurement of noise from the development is impractical, the Department and the DEC may accept alternative means of determining compliance (see Chapter 11 of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy). The modification factors in Section 4 of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy shall also be applied to the measured noise levels where applicable. b) Noise from the development is to be measured at 1 metre from the dwelling façade to determine compliance with the L A1(1 minute) noise limits in the above table. Where it can be demonstrated that direct measurement of noise from the development is impractical, the Department and the DEC may accept alternative means of determining compliance (see Chapter 11 of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy). c) The emission limits identified in the above table apply under meteorological conditions of: Wind speeds of up to 3 m/s at 10 metres above ground level: or Temperature inversion conditions of up to 3 o C/100m, and wind speeds of up to 2 m/s at 10 metres above ground level. Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

12 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 10 of TEMPERATURE INVERSION CONDITIONS Meteorological data provided by Duralie Coal Mine and calculated Pasquil Stability Categories allows for the prediction of wind and temperature profiles to within a moderately narrow range without recourse to actual measurement. The sigma-theta method developed by the US EPA is employed to determine the occurrence of different stability classes and refers to observations of sigma theta, wind speed and time of day. The Pasquil stability method categories may be determined by using a relationship between stability categories and standard deviation of the horizontal wind direction fluctuations and wind speed as shown in Table Daytime Pasquil Stability Category Table 4.1.1: Pasquil-Gifford stability categories based on sigma-theta A σ A 22.5 Standard deviation of the horizontal wind direction fluctuations (σ A in degrees) B 17.5 σ A < 22.5 C 12.5 σ A < 17.5 Wind 10m (ms -1 ) < < < D 7.5 σ A < 12.5 Any D E 3.8 σ A < to 5 E F 2.1 σ A < to 3 F G σ A 2.1 < 2 G Note: Daytime stability category is calculated using σ A only; Night-time Pasquil Stability Category Nighttime stability category is determined using σ A and wind speed at 10m. Once the stability category is known the range of possible temperature gradients may be inferred as shown in Table along with estimates of the stability frequency. F E D F E D E D Stability Class Table 4.1.2: Frequency of Occurrence of Stability Classes Percentage Frequency 1 Percentage Frequency 2 Range of vertical temperature gradient DT/DZ ( O C/100 m) Qualitative Description A 0% 22% DT/DZ < -1.9 Lapse B 0% 18% -1.9 DT/DZ < -1.7 Lapse C 0% 36% -1.7 DT/DZ < -1.5 Lapse D 10% 22% -1.5 DT/DZ < -0.5 Neutral E 16% 2% -0.5 DT/DZ < 1.5 Weak Inversion F 33% 0% 1.5 DT/DZ < 4.0 Moderate Inversion G 41% 0% 4.0 DT/DZ Strong Inversion Note: 1 Based on evening and nighttime data for the measurement period 17 th -18 th October Based on daytime data for the measurement period 17 th -18 th October Based on the preceding information moderate to strong inversions occur approximately 74% of the night-time and 0% during the daytime survey periods. Therefore since inversions of more than 3ºC/100m occur frequently during the night-time period, this must be considered when assessing recorded values to the criteria expressed in Section 4 of this report - Schedule 3. Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

13 5. RESULTS Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 11 of 28 DCM supplies information on mining plant and equipment operations with specific site locations. The results of the evening, night and daytime operator attended surveys under prevailing weather conditions are presented in Table 5.1.3, and respectively, together with a description of audible sounds and their contribution. 5.1 EVENING SURVEY RESULTS WEDNESDAY 17 TH OCTOBER Equipment Operating DCM operations during the evening survey consisted of the following: - Coal/Waste Waste Fleet - Komatsu Excavator (Ex 5028) 0.5 hrs - 2 Cat 789, 1 Cat 785 Trucks Coal to ROM pad - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5029) 8 hrs - 3 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dump (Lower level) plus RL 82m ramp Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 507) 8 hrs - 2 Cat 789, 1 Cat 785 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dumps (Low level) Support Processing - 3 D10 Dozers 5, 8.5 & 9 hrs - 16H Grader Roads, dumps & pit floor 6.5 hrs - Pit Pump - Lighting Plant - IT Loader - Train loading estimated 18:10hrs to 19:00hrs Prevailing Weather Conditions Table 5.1.2: Prevailing Weather Conditions Location Measurement (hrs) Temp. O C Cloud Cover Weather Parameter Wind Speed (ms -1 ) Wind Direction (deg.) AS1 Gibson 19: / REF 20: / N2 S. Doherty 21: / AS3 T. Jensen 21: / Rainfall (mm) Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

14 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 12 of 28 Location AS1 Gibson 19:57hrs REF 20:25hrs N2 S. Doherty 21:18hrs AS3 T. Jensen 21:51hrs Table 5.2.3: Evening Noise Survey Results, 17 th October 2007 Measurement Primary Noise Descriptor Description of Noise Source and Description Typical Maximum Levels Lmax Leq L 1 L 10 L 90 Insects/frogs (38-61), Aeroplane (45-51), Dogs (39-51), Ambient Birds (30-40), Motorbike (35-37) Mine Measured Contribution: Nil Mine operations not audible Cattle (30-43), Water pump (42-43), Haul truck (26-42), Insects/Frogs (28-32), Ambient Duck Quack (31-32), Aeroplane (30-31), Mine Hum (<27) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations audible Cattle (40-55), Birds (37-42), Insects (35-42), Haul truck (33-37), Ambient Mine Hum (<35), Train (30-32) Mine Measured Contribution: <35L eq Mine operations audible Road Traffic (33-43), Insects/frogs (32-42), Ambient Haul truck (33-41), Reverse Beep (33-36), Dozer tracks (33-35), Excavator (30-34) Mine Measured Contribution: 35L eq Mine operations audible 5.2.4: Impact Assessment Based on the operator attended evening survey on 17 th October 2007, the Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were not audible at AS1, <35 at N2 and 35 at AS3 in the prevailing weather conditions, being still to light winds from the south to south-west during the survey. While no exceedence of the criteria occurred, mine noise was recorded to be 35 at AS3 primarily due to the excavator operating near ground level as well as haul trucks. 5.2 NIGHT SURVEY RESULTS TUESDAY 17TH 18TH OCTOBER Equipment Operating DCM operations during the night survey consisted of the following: - Coal/Waste - Komatsu Excavator (Ex 5028) 0.5 hrs - 2 Cat 789, 1 Cat 785 Trucks Coal to ROM pad Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5029) 8 hrs - 3 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dump (Low level) plus RL 82m ramp Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 507) 8 hrs - 2 Cat 789, 1 Cat 785 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dumps (Low level) Support - 3 D10 Dozers 5, 8.5 & 9 hrs - 16H Grader Roads, dumps & pit floor 6.5 hrs - Pit Pump - Lighting Plant - IT Loader Processing - Train loading No Trains on night shift. Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

15 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 13 of Prevailing Weather Conditions Table 5.1.2: Prevailing Weather Conditions Weather Parameter Location Measurement Temp. Cloud Wind Speed Wind Direction Rainfall (hrs) C Cover (ms -1 ) (deg.) (mm) AS3 T. Jensen 22: / N2 S. Doherty 23: / REF 23: / AS1 Gibson 23: / AS1 Gibson 00: / REF 00: / N2 S. Doherty 01: / AS3 T. Jensen 01: / Location AS3 T. Jensen 22:21hrs N2 S. Doherty 22:53hrs REF 23:20hrs AS1 Gibson 23:45hrs AS1 Gibson 00:02hrs REF 00:52hrs N2 S. Doherty 01:15hrs AS3 T. Jensen 01:47hrs Table 5.3.3: Night time Noise Survey Results, 17 th 18 th October 2007 Measurement Primary Noise Descriptor Description of Noise Source and Description Typical Maximum Levels Lmax Leq L 1 L 10 L 90 Road Traffic (36-44), Insects/Frogs (32-42), Ambient Haul trucks (33-37), Dozer tracks (33-37), Aeroplane (34-37) Mine Measured Contribution: 33L eq Mine operations audible Cattle (36-44), Insects/Frogs (34-36), Haul Trucks (32-35), Birds (33-35), Ambient Track Dozer (33-34), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: 34L eq Mine operations audible Dozer (40-49), Ambient Haul trucks (37-42), Water pump (42-43) Mine Measured Contribution: 40L eq Mine operations clearly audible Birds (52-55), Insects/Frogs (45-53), Ambient Dogs (33-49), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations audible Dogs (33-53), Insects/Frogs (30-51), Ambient Aeroplane (35-37), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations audible Cattle (45-53), Reverse Beep (44-48), Rattle gun (45-47), Excavator (33-45), Ambient Pump (43), Insects/Frogs (34-42), Haul truck (40-42). Mine Measured Contribution: 36L eq Mine operations clearly audible Birds (54), Aeroplane (37-44), Ambient Cattle (41), Haul truck (28-36), Insects/Frogs (26-33), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations clearly audible Haul Trucks (35-46), Cattle (40-45), Dozer tracks (31-40), Train (36-40), Ambient Horse (35-39), Excavator (37-39), Dozer Engine (32-37), Horn (37), Duck Quack (30-34), Insects/Frogs (30-34) Mine Measured Contribution: 35L eq Mine operations clearly audible Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

16 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 14 of : Impact Assessment Based on the operator attended night-time survey on 17 th 18 th October 2007, the Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were <30 at AS1, <30 to 34 at N2 and was 33 and 35 at AS3. Weather conditions were dominated in the first session by light westerly breezes blowing from the mine towards N2 and REF locations before changing to a southerly breeze blowing from the mine towards AS1 and N2. Sigma-theta data indicated the possibility of a moderate to strong temperature inversion strength; therefore significant enhancement due to temperature gradient was probable. 5.3 DAYTIME SURVEY RESULTS THURSDAY 18 TH OCTOBER Equipment Operating DCM operations during the daytime survey consisted of the following: - Coal/Waste - Komatsu Excavator (Ex 5028) 5.5 hrs - 3 Cat 789 Trucks Coal to ROM bin Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5029) 9.2 hrs - 3 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dump - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 507) 4 hrs - 2 Cat 789, 1 Cat 785 Trucks. Support - 3 D10 Dozers 5.4, 6.6 & 8.8 hrs - 16H Grader Roads, dumps & pit floor 5.6 hrs - Water Cart Roads 7 hours - Pit Pump - Drill Processing - Train loading estimated intermittently between 07:00hrs to 16:00hrs Prevailing Weather Conditions The following atmospheric conditions were noted during this survey: Table 5.1.2: Prevailing Weather Conditions Weather Parameter Location Measurement Temp. Cloud Wind Speed Wind Direction Rainfall (hrs) C Cover (ms -1 ) (deg.) (mm) N2 S. Doherty 10: /8 3.5* 56 0 AS1 Gibson 10: /8 3.2* 42 0 AS3 T. Jensen 14: /8 4.4* 66 0 *Wind speed was checked at each location to ensure average wind speed did not exceed 3.0m/s during attended noise monitoring. Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

17 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 15 of 28 Location N2 S. Doherty 10:00hrs AS1 Gibson 10:30hrs AS3 T. Jensen 14:32hrs Table 5.1.3: Daytime Noise Survey Results, 18 th October 2007 Measurement Primary Noise Descriptor Description of Noise Source and Description Typical Maximum Levels Lmax Leq L 1 L 10 L 90 Birds (27-55), Wind in grass (40-45), Ambient Aeroplane (28-35), Horn (33), Haul Truck (30-32), Cattle (27-31), Mine Hum (<30), Insects (27) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations audible Tin Shed Roof (57-61), Wind in Trees (45-57), Birds (37-52), Ambient Aeroplane (34-47), Dogs (35-43), Insects (35-37) Mine Measured Contribution: Nil Mine operations not audible Birds (45-63), Wind in Trees (40-52), Cattle (40-47), Road Traffic (37-43), Ambient Insects (37-39), Excavator (<35) Mine Measured Contribution: <35L eq Mine operations audible Impact Assessment Based on the operator attended daytime survey on 18 th October 2007, the Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were <30 at N2, not audible at AS1 and <35 at AS3 in the prevailing weather conditions, being moderate north-easterly winds throughout the day. 5.4 COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the attended noise-monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Table Received Noise Noise Monitoring Locations under prevailing weather conditions Daytime Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion N2 S. Doherty < AS1 Gibson Nil 35 0 AS3 T. Jensen < As shown in Table 5.4.1, the required daytime noise level (criterion) was not exceeded on any occasion during the survey. Table Received Noise Noise Monitoring Locations under prevailing weather conditions Evening time Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AS1 Gibson Nil 35 0 N2 S. Doherty < AS3 T. Jensen As shown in Table 5.4.2, the required evening-time noise level (criterion) was not exceeded on any occasion during the evening survey. Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

18 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 16 of 28 Table Received Noise Noise Monitoring Locations under prevailing weather conditions Night time Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AS1 Gibson <30, < , 0 N2 S. Doherty 34, < , 0 AS3 T. Jensen 33, , 0 As shown in Table 5.4.3, the required night noise level (criterion) was not exceeded on any occasion at during the nighttime survey. 6. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION An Environmental Compliance Noise Monitoring Survey has been carried out in the rural environment surrounding the Duralie Coal Mine Site, Duralie Road, NSW. The survey was requested by to ascertain the degree of compliance of noise emissions generated from the operation of Duralie Coal Mine with licence and consent conditions. The daytime Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were <30 at N2, not audible at AS1 and <35 at AS3 in the prevailing weather conditions, being moderate north-easterly winds throughout the day. The evening Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were not audible at AS1, <35 at N2 and 35 at AS3 in the prevailing weather conditions, being still to light winds from the south to south-west during the survey. While no exceedence of the criteria occurred, mine noise was recorded to be 35 at AS3 primarily due to the excavator operating near ground level as well as haul trucks. The night Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were <30 at AS1, <30 to 34 at N2 and was 33 and 35 at AS3. Weather conditions were dominated in the first session by light westerly breezes blowing from the mine towards N2 and REF locations before changing to a southerly breeze blowing from the mine towards AS1 and N2. Sigma-theta data indicated the possibility of a moderate to strong temperature inversion strength; therefore significant enhancement due to temperature gradient was probable. The nominated monitoring locations represent the closest residences to the mine so that further located properties will receive mine noise levels somewhat lower than those measured, due to distance attenuation under stable atmospheric conditions. Under the prevailing weather conditions and based on the attended monitoring results it is concluded that mine noise emissions did not breach the criteria at any nearby residence during the 17 th 18 th October 2007 period. Mine operating noise emissions were at or below the 35 noise criteria at all monitoring locations during the October 2007 Environmental Noise Level Survey. Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

19 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 17 of 28 Date (Hrs) APPENDIX A: WEATHER CONDITIONS Air Temperature ( o C) Wind Direction ( o Angle) Sigma ( o Angle) Wind Speed (m/s) Rain (mm) 17/10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/2007 0: /10/2007 0: /10/2007 0: /10/2007 0: /10/2007 1: /10/2007 1: /10/2007 1: /10/2007 1: /10/2007 2: /10/2007 2: /10/2007 2: /10/2007 2: /10/2007 3: /10/2007 3: /10/2007 3: /10/2007 3: /10/2007 4: /10/2007 4: /10/2007 4: /10/2007 4: /10/2007 5: /10/2007 5: /10/2007 5: /10/2007 5: /10/2007 6: Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

20 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 18 of 28 Date (Hrs) Air Temperature ( o C) Weather conditions (cont..) Wind Direction ( o Angle) Sigma ( o Angle) Wind Speed (m/s) Rain (mm) 18/10/2007 6: /10/2007 6: /10/2007 6: /10/2007 7: /10/2007 7: /10/2007 7: /10/2007 7: /10/2007 8: /10/2007 8: /10/2007 8: /10/2007 8: /10/2007 9: /10/2007 9: /10/2007 9: /10/2007 9: /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : /10/ : Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

21 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 19 of 28 Noise Survey Wind Speed 17/10/07 to 18/10/07 Average Wind Speed :15 20:45 23:15 1:45 4:15 6:45 9:15 11:45 m/s 14:15 16:45 Wind Rose - 17th & 18th October 2007 Dominant Wind Direction at Duralie WNW NW NNW 30 N NNE 20 NE 10 ENE W WSW 0 E ESE SW SSW S SE SSE Number in Class Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

22 Report No. 29N TRP D u r a l i e C o a l P t y Lt d Environmenta l Noise Assessment Page 20 of 28 APPENDIX B: LOCALITY MAP & SURVEY LOCATIONS Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

23 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 21 of 28 APPENDIX C: TIME TRACES Evening Survey 85 AS1 Gibson 15-Minute Trace 17/10/07 19: Nil 1 Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 REF 15-Minute Trace 17/10/07 20: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

24 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 22 of 28 Evening Survey ( cont..) 85 N2 S Doherty 15-Minute Trace 17/10/07 21: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 AS3 Jensen 15-Minute Trace 17/10/07 21: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

25 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 23 of 28 Night Survey 1 85 AS3 Jensen 15-Minute Trace 17/10/07 22: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 N2 S Doherty 15-Minute Trace 17/10/07 22: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

26 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 24 of 28 Night Survey 1 ( cont..) 85 REF 15-Minute Trace 17/10/07 23: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 AS1 Gibson 15-Minute Trace 17/10/07 23: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

27 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 25 of 28 Night Survey 2 85 AS1 Gibson 15-Minute Trace 18/10/07 0: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 REF 15-Minute Trace 18/10/07 0: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

28 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 26 of 28 Night Survey 2 ( cont..) 75 N2 S Doherty 15-Minute Trace 18/10/07 1: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 AS3 Jensen 15-Minute Trace 18/10/07 1: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

29 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 27 of 28 Daytime Survey 85 N2 S Doherty 15-Minute Trace 18/10/07 10: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 AS1 Gibson 15-Minute Trace 18/10/07 10: Nil 1 Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

30 Report No. 29N TRP Environmental Noise Assessment Page 28 of 28 Day Survey ( cont..) 85 AS3 Jensen 15-Minute Trace 18/10/07 14: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref: 29N TRP Commercial_In_Confidence October 2007

31 Prepared for: Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Duralie Coal Mine January 2008 Report No. 29N TRP Apr 2008 Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd Newcastle, NSW

32 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 2 of 28 DOCUMENT CONTROL Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment REPORT NO: LIBRARY CODE: 29N TRP RE39 PREPARED FOR: PREPARED BY: Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd P.O. Box 168 Shop 5 Shopping Village, Laycock Street Gloucester NSW 2422 CAREY BAY NSW 2283 AUSTRALIA Contact: Mr John Trotter huntervalley@vipac.com.au Phone: Phone: Fax : Fax : AUTHOR: REVIEWED BY: APPROVED BY: REVISION HISTORY: Simon Ritchie Date: 2 Apr 2008 Consulting Engineer Ian Guy Date: 2 Apr 2008 Manager, Newcastle Office Ian Guy Date: 2 Apr 2008 Manager, Newcastle Office Revision No. Date Issued Reason/Comments 0 2 Apr 2008 Initial Issue DISTRIBUTION: Copy No. Location 1 Project 2 UNCONTROLLED COPY, pdf format Library KEYWORDS: NOTE: This is a controlled document within the document control system. If revised, it must be marked SUPERSEDED and returned to the Vipac QA Representative. This document contains commercial, conceptual and engineering information, which is proprietary to VIPAC Engineers & Scientists Ltd. We specifically state that inclusion of this information does not grant the Client any license to use the information without VIPAC's written permission. We further require that the information not be divulged to a third party without our written consent. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

33 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 3 of 28 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd (VIPAC) was engaged to undertake Environmental Compliance Noise Monitoring in the rural environment surrounding the Duralie Coal Mine (DCM) Site, Bucketts Way, Stroud Road NSW. The purpose of the assessment was to conduct ambient noise monitoring in accordance with the Department of Planning (DoP) Development Consent Modification Schedule 3 Condition 2, dated 2006 and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA s) Environmental Pollution Licence (EPL 11701), Section L6.1, Noise Limits. The noise monitoring survey commenced at 19:50hrs on Tuesday 15 th January and ended at 15:00hrs on Wednesday 16 th January Day-time Operator Attended Impact Assessment 16 th January 2008 DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the day-time attended noise monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion N2 S. Doherty < AS1 Gibson < N3 Ex Harrison 1 < Due to unsatisfactory noise monitoring conditions at AS3 Jensen, the measurement location was reverted to N3 Ex. Harrison Evening-time Operator Attended Impact Assessment 15 th January 2008 DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the evening-time attended noise-monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AS1 Gibson Nil 35 0 N2 S. Doherty < N3 Ex Harrison 1 < Due to unsatisfactory noise monitoring conditions at AS3 Jensen, the measurement location was reverted to N3 Ex. Harrison Night-time Operator Attended Impact Assessment 15 th 16 th January 2008 DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the night-time attended noise monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AS1 Gibson Nil, < , 0 N2 S. Doherty <35, < , 0 N3 Ex. Harrison 1 <30, < , 0 1 Due to unsatisfactory noise monitoring conditions at AS3 Jensen, the measurement location was reverted to N3 Ex. Harrison Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

34 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 4 of 28 Assessment of Compliance The nominated monitoring locations represent the closest residences to the mine so that further located properties will receive mine noise levels somewhat lower than those measured, due to distance attenuation under stable atmospheric conditions. Noise measurements were reverted to N3 (Ex. Harrison) from the alternate AS3 (Jensen) due to unsatisfactory monitoring conditions at this property during the survey. Under the prevailing weather conditions and based on the attended monitoring results it is concluded that mine noise emissions did not breach the criteria at any nearby residence during the 15 th 16 th January Mine operating noise emissions were at, or below the 35 noise criteria at all monitoring locations during the January 2008 Environmental Noise Level Survey. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

35 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 5 of 28 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION DEFINITIONS OF ACOUSTICAL TERMS DURALIE COAL MINE SITE DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION METHODOLOGY INSTRUMENTS MONITORING LOCATIONS MONITORING WEATHER CRITERIA TEMPERATURE INVERSION CONDITIONS RESULTS EVENING SURVEY RESULTS TUESDAY 15 TH JANUARY Equipment Operating Prevailing Weather Conditions...11 Table 5.2.3: Evening Noise Survey Results, 15 th January : Impact Assessment NIGHT SURVEY RESULTS TUESDAY 15/16 TH JANUARY Equipment Operating Prevailing Weather Conditions...13 Table 5.3.3: Night time Noise Survey Results, 15 th 16 th January : Impact Assessment DAYTIME SURVEY RESULTS WEDNESDAY 16 TH JANUARY Equipment Operating Prevailing Weather Conditions...14 Table 5.1.3: Daytime Noise Survey Results, 16 th January Impact Assessment COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION...16 APPENDIX A: WEATHER CONDITIONS...17 APPENDIX B: LOCALITY MAP & SURVEY LOCATIONS...20 APPENDIX C: TIME TRACES...21 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

36 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 6 of INTRODUCTION Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd (VIPAC) was engaged to undertake Environmental Compliance Noise Monitoring in the rural environment surrounding the Duralie Coal Mine (DCM) Site, Buckets Way, Stroud Road NSW. The purpose of the assessment was to conduct ambient noise monitoring in accordance with the Department of Planning (DoP) Development Consent Modification Schedule 3 Condition 2, dated 2006 and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA s) Environmental Pollution Licence (EPL 11701), Section L6.1, Noise Limits. The noise monitoring survey commenced at 19:50hrs on Tuesday 15 th January and ended at 14:20hrs on Wednesday 16 th January DEFINITIONS OF ACOUSTICAL TERMS Table 1.1 provides the definitions of common acoustical terms and is presented as an aid to understanding this report. Table Acoustical Terms and Definition Term Lw L P Leq L 90 L 10 Definition A unit of measurement in decibels (A), of sound pressure level which has its frequency characteristics modified by a filter ("A-weighted") so as to more closely approximate the frequency response of the human ear. Sound Power Level radiated by a noise source per unit time re 1pW. Sound pressure level (SPL) or sound level L p is a logarithmic measure of the rms sound pressure of a sound relative to a reference value. Equivalent Continuous Noise Level - which, lasting for as long as a given noise event has the same amount of acoustic energy as the given event. The noise levels that is equalled or exceeded for 90% of the measurement period. An indicator of the mean minimum noise level, and is used in Australia as the descriptor for background or ambient noise (usually in dba). The noise levels that is equalled or exceeded for 10% of the measurement period. L 10 is an indicator of the mean maximum noise level, and is generally used in Australia as the descriptor for intrusive noise (usually in dba). Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

37 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 7 of DURALIE COAL MINE 2.1. SITE DESCRIPTION DCM is located east of the Bucketts Way between the villages of Stroud Road and Wards River, NSW DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION The following activities have the potential to generate noise during DCM operations: Operation of mobile equipment (e.g. excavators, loaders, haul trucks, dozers, graders, and water carts) for: Vegetation removal and stripping/stockpiling of soil resources; Open cut development and production; and Haulage of raw coal and mine waste; Operation of fixed plant (e.g. ROM bin, raw coal conveyor, bin loading/unloading, lighting plant and pit pumps); and, Rail transportation of coal on the mining lease. 3. METHODOLOGY Ambient noise level measurements were conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Authority, (EPA), and as detailed in Australian Standard AS , Acoustics Description and Measurement of Environmental Noise, Part 1 General Procedures. The operator-attended surveys were conducted at each monitoring location to quantify ambient noise levels and the contributed levels of noise emitted from current Duralie Mining operations. The day, evening and night survey was conducted during January 2008 as follows: Evening - conducted between 20:06hrs 21:55hrs on Tuesday 15 th January 2008; Night - conducted between 22:00hrs 01:47hrs on Tuesday 15 th to Wednesday 16 th January 2008; Daytime - conducted between 12:15hrs - 14:20hrs on Wednesday 16 th January The Engineer determines Mine s noise contribution by noting instantaneous meter reading when the mine was clearly audible and dominant. Alternatively, the Mine s contribution was determined by noting the relative audibility of the mining activities at otherwise quiet times and establishing the difference in received sound level between the Mine s activities and the background noise level. The mine s contribution could be measured directly at most residential locations during the surveys. A scale of audibility is provided to gain a general understanding of the mining operation s noise levels received at the nearby residential locations. Clearly Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) plus 5 and greater. Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) plus/minus 5. Faintly Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) minus 5 to 8. Not Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) minus 8 and less. Exceptions to the above could be intermittent sounds from reverse beeps and dozer tracks etc. On occasions when the background noise levels are elevated due to extraneous noise sources the mine noise emissions are determined utilizing the octave filters of the sound level meter. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

38 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 8 of INSTRUMENTS Attended noise measurements were taken with A Brüel & Kjær (B&K) 2250 integrating sound level meter, fitted with a B&K 4189 ½ inch diameter electret microphone and a windshield. This instrument has performance characteristics within the requirements of Type 1 accuracy in accordance with AS1259, and has the capability to measure steady, fluctuating, intermittent and/or impulsive sound, and to compute and display percentile noise levels for the measuring period. During the attended surveys the B&K 2250 instrument was used to record a 1/3 octave, one second interval time trace of each 15-minute measurement enabling detailed analysis of the acoustic environment. Audio recording was performed simultaneously by the B&K2250 to enable crosschecking of the sample data where required. Noise levels over the 15-minute periods were calculated and stored in the B&K 2250 at each location during the surveys. The identifiable noise sources and their contributions were ranked in order of prominence. A Rion Sound Level Calibrator NC-73 was used to calibrate the SLM prior to measurement and checked at the conclusion. The difference in the two measurements was less than 0.5dB. The SLM was supported with the microphone approximately 1.5m above the ground at the monitoring locations. The 15-minute time traces from the surveys are collated in Appendix C MONITORING LOCATIONS Monitoring locations are described in Table below where operator attended noise monitoring was conducted and are shown on the Map of the Area, Appendix B. Table Monitoring Locations Location Resident/ Owner Address AS1 2 JS & KA Gibson Off Johnson Creek Road N2 S. Doherty 863 Johnson Creek Road N3 Ex. Harrison Duralie Road REF 1 Mine Site W4 Johnson Creek Road Note: 1 Reference Site mine owned dwelling used as additional noise monitoring location. 2 Alternative noise monitoring site 3.3. MONITORING WEATHER The Mine Weather Station compound is located centrally on the Mine lease. Meteorological data from this location is usually collected by the Mine Management and provided to VIPAC for analysis, however due to a malfunction, complete weather data from this station is unavailable for the survey period. Alternate weather data was sourced from the nearby Stratford Coal Mine (SCM) weather station and combined with temperature data from the Gloucester Rural Fire Service (RFS) due to recorded temperature anomalies associated with the SCM weather station during the survey period. Data combined from the SCM and RFS weather stations is presented in fifteen-minute intervals in Appendix A of this Report including meteorological parameters such as wind direction, wind speed, temperature, sigma-theta and rainfall. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

39 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 9 of CRITERIA The EPA s Environmental Pollution Licence (EPL 11701) L6.1 Noise Limits states the following: L6.1 Operational Noise from the premises must not exceed: Noise Limits Location Period Intrusive Criteria Leq(15 minute) SOUTHERN SITE (N1) Boundary of DCM controlled land adjacent to Johnson Creek Road 2 Day, Evening & Night 35 S DOHERTY (N2) Day, Evening & Night 35 AJ & DM HARRISON (N3) 3 Day, Evening & Night 35 Note: 1. The noise emissions identified in L6.1 apply for prevailing meteorological conditions (winds up to 3ms -1 ), except under conditions of temperature inversions. 2. An alternative noise monitoring site AS1 Gibson, which is the closest non-mine owned dwelling in the vicinity of N1 relative to mine operations (refer to site map in Appendix B). 3. An alternative to noise monitoring site AS3 (T. Jensen), which is the closest non-mine owned dwelling in the vicinity of N3 relative to mine operations (refer to site map in Appendix B). Furthermore, DCM obtained approval from Department of Planning for the Duralie Coal Mine Extension Section 96(2) Modification Notice of Modification dated 30 th July 2006 (DA No. 169/99). The relevant noise criteria are given in Schedule 3 Condition 2 and is reproduced below. SCHEDULE 3 NOISE Noise Impact Assessment Criteria 2. The Applicant shall ensure that the noise generated by the development does not exceed the noise impact assessment criteria in Table 2. Day L Aeq (15 minute) (extract) Table 2: Noise Impact Assessment Criteria Evening L Aeq (15 minute) Night L Aeq (15 minute) Land Number Woodley Trigg N Relton (old) S Relton (new) Guidice 124 Zulomovski 135 Hare-Scott All other privately owned land excluding the land listed in Table 1 Notes: a) Noise from the development is to be measured at the most affected point or within the residential boundary, or at the most affected point within 30 metres of a dwelling (rural situations) where the dwelling is more than 30 metres from the boundary, to determine compliance with the L Aeq(15 minute) noise limits in the above table. Where it can be demonstrated that direct measurement of noise from the development is impractical, the Department and the DEC may accept alternative means of determining compliance (see Chapter 11 of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy). The modification factors in Section 4 of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy shall also be applied to the measured noise levels where applicable. b) Noise from the development is to be measured at 1 metre from the dwelling façade to determine compliance with the L A1(1 minute) noise limits in the above table. Where it can be demonstrated that direct measurement of noise from the development is impractical, the Department and the DEC may accept alternative means of determining compliance (see Chapter 11 of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy). c) The emission limits identified in the above table apply under meteorological conditions of: Wind speeds of up to 3 m/s at 10 metres above ground level: or Temperature inversion conditions of up to 3 o C/100m, and wind speeds of up to 2 m/s at 10 metres above ground level. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

40 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 10 of TEMPERATURE INVERSION CONDITIONS Meteorological data provided by Duralie Coal Mine and calculated Pasquil Stability Categories allows for the prediction of wind and temperature profiles to within a moderately narrow range without recourse to actual measurement. The sigma-theta method developed by the US EPA is employed to determine the occurrence of different stability classes and refers to observations of sigma theta, wind speed and time of day. The Pasquil stability method categories may be determined by using a relationship between stability categories and standard deviation of the horizontal wind direction fluctuations and wind speed as shown in Table Table 4.1.1: Pasquil-Gifford stability categories based on sigma-theta Daytime Pasquil Stability Category A σ A 22.5 Standard deviation of the horizontal wind direction fluctuations (σ A in degrees) B 17.5 σ A < 22.5 C 12.5 σ A < 17.5 Wind 10m (ms -1 ) < < < D 7.5 σ A < 12.5 Any D E 3.8 σ A < to 5 E F 2.1 σ A < to 3 F G σ A 2.1 < 2 G Note: Daytime stability category is calculated using σ A only; Nighttime stability category is determined using σ A and wind speed at 10m. Night-time Pasquil Stability Category Once the stability category is known the range of possible temperature gradients may be inferred as shown in Table along with estimates of the stability frequency. F E D F E D E D Stability Class Table 4.1.2: Frequency of Occurrence of Stability Classes Percentage Frequency 1 Percentage Frequency 2 Range of vertical temperature gradient DT/DZ ( O C/100 m) Qualitative Description A 20% 0% DT/DZ < -1.9 Lapse B 10% 0% -1.9 DT/DZ < -1.7 Lapse C 53% 0% -1.7 DT/DZ < -1.5 Lapse D 17% 64% -1.5 DT/DZ < -0.5 Neutral E 0% 13% -0.5 DT/DZ < 1.5 Weak Inversion F 0% 23% 1.5 DT/DZ < 4.0 Moderate Inversion G 0% 0% 4.0 DT/DZ Strong Inversion Note: 1 Based on daytime data for the measurement period 15 th -16 th January Based on evening and nighttime data for the measurement period 15 th 16 th January Based on the information above, moderate to strong inversions occurred approximately 23% of the evening/nighttime and 0% during the daytime survey period. Therefore since significant inversions are not predicted to have occurred during the period, the noise enhancing effects of temperature inversion can be ignored. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

41 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 11 of RESULTS DCM supplies information on mining plant and equipment operations with specific site locations. The results of the evening, night and daytime operator attended surveys under prevailing weather conditions are presented in Table 5.1.3, and respectively, together with a description of audible sounds and their contribution EVENING SURVEY RESULTS TUESDAY 15 TH JANUARY Equipment Operating DCM operations during the evening and nighttime period of the survey consisted of the following: - Coal/Waste - Komatsu Excavator (Ex 5028) RL 40m or lower 7 hrs waste & 2 hrs coal - 3 Cat 789, Coal to ROM pad Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5029) RL 45m 7 hrs - 2 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dump RL 40m or lower. Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5002) 7 hrs - 2 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dumps RL40m or lower Support - 2 D10 Dozers 9, 9 hrs - Pit Pump - Lighting Plant - IT Loader - 2 Drills 10, 4 hrs Processing - Train loading estimated 20:40hrs to 21:40hrs Prevailing Weather Conditions Table 5.1.2: Prevailing Weather Conditions Weather Parameter Location Measurement Temp. Cloud Wind Speed 2 Wind Direction Rainfall (hrs) C Cover (ms -1 ) (deg.) (mm) AS1 Gibson 20: / REF 20: / N2 S. Doherty 20: / N3 Ex Harrison 1 21: / Noise measurements were conducted at N3 Ex. Harrison due to unsatisfactory monitoring conditions at AS3 Jensen. 2 Wind speed was checked at each location during attended noise monitoring. Noise measurements were only conducted where wind speed was measured to be below 3.0m/s. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

42 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 12 of 28 Location AS1 Gibson 20:06hrs REF 20:31hrs N2 S. Doherty 20:50hrs N3 Ex. Harrison 21:39hrs Table 5.2.3: Evening Noise Survey Results, 15 th January 2008 Measurement Description Ambient Primary Noise Descriptor Description of Noise Source and Typical Maximum Levels Lmax Leq L 1 L 10 L Insects/frogs (45-54), Birds (47-51), Cattle (42-49), Aeroplane (40-45), Dogs (40-44), Train Main Line (35-40) Mine Measured Contribution: Nil Mine operations not audible Insects/Frogs (61-67), Train - Main Line Ambient (35-61), Aeroplane (40-47), Domestic Activities (41-43), Excavator (33-37), Mine Hum (35), Trucks (31-34) Mine Measured Contribution: 35L eq Mine operations not audible* Birds (50-62), Insects/Frogs (56-59), Ambient Aeroplane (41-43), Cattle (37), Train Horn (35), Cicadas (30), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations not audible* Wind in Foliage (35-50), Insects/Frogs (37-43), Birds (37), Ambient Haul Trucks (26-34), Mine Hum (<25), Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations faintly audible * Note: Not Audible indicates that the mine noise is typically out of the range of human hearing; however it can be measured through instrumentation and spectral analysis : Impact Assessment Based on the operator attended evening survey on 15 th January 2008, the Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were not audible at AS1, <30 at N2 and <30 at N3 in the prevailing weather conditions, being moderate winds from the north during the survey NIGHT SURVEY RESULTS TUESDAY 15/16 TH JANUARY Equipment Operating DCM operations during the evening and nighttime period of the survey consisted of the following: - Coal/Waste - Komatsu Excavator (Ex 5028) RL 40m or lower 7 hrs waste & 2 hrs coal - 3 Cat 789, Coal to ROM pad Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5029) RL 45m 7 hrs - 2 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dump RL 40m or lower. Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5002) 7 hrs - 2 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dumps RL40m or lower Support - 2 D10 Dozers 9, 9 hrs - Pit Pump - Lighting Plant - IT Loader - 2 Drills 10, 4 hrs Processing - Train loading no trains Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

43 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 13 of Prevailing Weather Conditions Table 5.1.2: Prevailing Weather Conditions Weather Parameter Location Measurement Temp. Cloud Wind Speed 1 Wind Direction Rainfall (hrs) C Cover (ms -1 ) (deg.) (mm) N3 Ex Harrison 22: / N2 S. Doherty 22: / REF 23: / AS1 Gibson 23: / AS1 Gibson 23: / REF 00: / N2 S. Doherty 00: / N3 Ex Harrison 01: / Wind speed was checked at each location during attended noise monitoring. Noise measurements were only conducted where wind speed was measured to be below 3.0m/s. Table 5.3.3: Night time Noise Survey Results, 15 th 16 th January 2008 Location N3 Ex Harrison 22:07hrs N2 S. Doherty 22:46hrs REF 23:17hrs AS1 Gibson 23:39hrs AS1 Gibson 23:55hrs REF 00:28hrs N2 S. Doherty 00:50hrs N3 Ex Harrison 01:32hrs Measurement Description Primary Noise Descriptor Description of Noise Source and Typical Maximum Levels Lmax Leq L 1 L 10 L Insects/Frogs (44-55), Ambient Train Main Line (43-48), Wind in foliage (37-43), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations faintly audible Insects/Frogs (43-54), Ambient Birds (47), Aeroplane (35-46), Mine Hum (<35) Mine Measured Contribution: <35L eq Mine operations faintly audible Excavator Horn (28-54), Pump (54), Ambient Reverse Quack (31-48), Insects/Frogs (43-47), Excavator (24-29), Trucks (25-27) Mine Measured Contribution: 37L eq Mine operations audible Dogs (50-57), Insects/Frogs (42-47), Ambient Aeroplane (36-38), Horse (37), Road Traffic (<30), Mine Hum (Nil) Mine Measured Contribution: Nil Mine operations not audible Insects/Frogs (56-59), Birds (53), Ambient Aeroplane (39-47), Cattle (38), Train Main Line (35-38), Train Horn (34) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations not audible* Train (40-47), Ambient Cattle (37-43), Insects/Frogs (38-41), Mine Hum (<35) Mine Measured Contribution: <35L eq Mine operations audible Aeroplane (51-53), Ambient Insects/Frogs (44-46), Wind in Foliage (37-42), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations not audible* Train (41-56), Wind in Foliage (51-55), Ambient Insects/Frogs (46-55), Cattle (37-41), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations not audible* * Note: Not Audible indicates that the mine noise is typically out of the range of human hearing; however it can be measured through instrumentation and spectral analysis. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

44 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 14 of : Impact Assessment Based on the operator attended night-time survey on 15 th 16 th January 2008, the Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were <30 and Nil at AS1, <35 to <30 at N2 and was <30 at N3. Weather conditions consisted of moderate northerly winds blowing from the mine towards AS1 and away from N3. Sigma-theta data indicated no likely enhancement effects from temperature inversion DAYTIME SURVEY RESULTS WEDNESDAY 16 TH JANUARY Equipment Operating DCM operations during the daytime survey consisted of the following: - Coal/Waste - Komatsu Excavator (Ex 5028) RL 40m or lower 6.5 hrs waste & 1.5 hrs coal - 3 Cat 789, Coal to ROM pad Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5029) RL 49m 8 hrs - 3 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dump RL 40m or lower. Support - 2 D10 Dozers 8, 8 hrs - 16H Grader -7 hrs - Pit Pump - IT Loader - Excavator EXX2020 Explosives Magazine 7 hrs Processing - Train loading estimated 09:50hrs to 10:35hrs and 12:45hrs to 13:30hrs Prevailing Weather Conditions The following atmospheric conditions were noted during this survey: Table 5.1.2: Prevailing Weather Conditions Weather Parameter Location Measurement Temp. Cloud Wind Speed Wind Direction Rainfall (hrs) C Cover (ms -1 ) (deg.) (mm) N3 Ex Harrison 12: / N2 S. Doherty 13: / REF 13: / AS1 Gibson 14: / Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

45 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 15 of 28 Location N3 Ex Harrison 12:16hrs N2 S. Doherty 13:20hrs REF 13:41hrs AS1 Gibson 14:03hrs Table 5.1.3: Daytime Noise Survey Results, 16 th January 2008 Measurement Description Primary Noise Descriptor Leq L 1 L 10 L 90 Description of Noise Source and Typical Maximum Levels Lmax Ambient Birds (45-63), Insects/Frogs (37-41), Road Traffic (33-36), Cattle (34-36), Dozer Tracks (<35), Haul Truck (30-31), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <35L eq Mine operations audible Car passby (45-72), Birds (34-69), Ambient Aeroplane (40-49), Insects/Frogs (36-42), Wind in Foliage (40-41), Cattle (37-41), Wind on Mic (35-38), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations faintly audible Aeroplane (37-72), Pump (39-47), Ambient Excavator (33-42), Excavator Horn (39-42), Dozer Trucks (37-42), Insects/Frogs (40-41), Haul Truck (34-41), Wind on Mic (37-41) Mine Measured Contribution: 36L eq Mine operations audible Birds (41-62), Dogs (40-55), Aeroplane (35- Ambient ), Horse (36-47), Wind in Foliage (38-40), Insects/Frogs (37-40), Domestic Activities (34-49), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations faintly audible Impact Assessment Based on the operator attended daytime survey on 16 th January 2008, the Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were <35 at N3, <30 at N2 and <30 at AS1 in the prevailing weather conditions, being light to moderate north-north-westerly winds throughout the day COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the attended noise-monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Table Received Noise Noise Monitoring Locations under prevailing weather conditions Daytime Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion N2 S. Doherty < AS1 Gibson < N3 Ex Harrison < As shown in Table 5.4.1, the required daytime noise level (criteria) was not exceeded on any occasion during the survey. Table Received Noise Noise Monitoring Locations under prevailing weather conditions Evening time Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AS1 Gibson Nil 35 0 N2 S. Doherty < N3 Ex Harrison < Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

46 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 16 of 28 As shown in Table 5.4.2, the required evening-time noise level (criteria) was not exceeded on any occasion during the evening survey. Table Received Noise Noise Monitoring Locations under prevailing weather conditions Night time Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AS1 Gibson Nil, < , 0 N2 S. Doherty <35, < , 0 N3 Ex. Harrison <30, < , 0 As shown in Table 5.4.3, the required night noise level (criteria) was not exceeded on any occasion at during the nighttime survey. 6. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION An Environmental Compliance Noise Monitoring Survey has been carried out in the rural environment surrounding the Duralie Coal Mine Site, Duralie Road, NSW. The survey was requested by to ascertain the degree of compliance of noise emissions generated from the operation of Duralie Coal Mine with licence and consent conditions. The daytime Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were <35 at N3, <30 at N2 and <30 at AS1 in the prevailing weather conditions, being light to moderate north-north-westerly winds throughout the day. The evening Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were not audible at AS1, <30 at N2 and <30 at N3 in the prevailing weather conditions, being moderate winds from the north during the survey. The night Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were <30 and Nil at AS1, <35 to <30 at N2 and was <30 at N3. Weather conditions consisted of moderate northerly winds blowing from the mine towards AS1 and away from N3. Sigma-theta data indicated no likely enhancement effects from temperature inversion. The nominated monitoring locations represent the closest residences to the mine so that further located properties will receive mine noise levels somewhat lower than those measured, due to distance attenuation under stable atmospheric conditions. Noise measurements were reverted to N3 (Ex. Harrison) from the alternate AS3 (Jensen) due to unsatisfactory monitoring conditions at this property during the survey. Under the prevailing weather conditions and based on the attended monitoring results it is concluded that mine noise emissions did not breach the criteria at any nearby residence during the 15 th 16 th January Mine operating noise emissions were at or below the 35 noise criteria at all monitoring locations during the January 2008 Environmental Noise Level Survey. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

47 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 17 of 28 Date (Hrs) APPENDIX A: WEATHER CONDITIONS Air Temperature ( o C) Wind Direction ( o Angle) Sigma ( o Angle) Wind Speed (m/s) Rain (mm) 15/01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

48 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 18 of 28 Date (Hrs) Weather conditions (cont..) Air Temperature ( o C) Wind Direction ( o Angle) Sigma ( o Angle) Wind Speed (m/s) Rain (mm) 16/01/2008 0: /01/2008 0: /01/2008 0: /01/2008 0: /01/2008 1: /01/2008 1: /01/2008 1: /01/2008 1: /01/2008 2: /01/2008 2: /01/2008 2: /01/2008 2: /01/2008 3: /01/2008 3: /01/2008 3: /01/2008 3: /01/2008 4: /01/2008 4: /01/2008 4: /01/2008 4: /01/2008 5: /01/2008 5: /01/2008 5: /01/2008 5: /01/2008 6: /01/2008 6: /01/2008 6: /01/2008 6: /01/2008 7: /01/2008 7: /01/2008 7: /01/2008 7: /01/2008 8: /01/2008 8: /01/2008 8: /01/2008 8: /01/2008 9: /01/2008 9: /01/2008 9: /01/2008 9: /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : /01/ : Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

49 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 19 of Noise Survey Wind Speed 15/1/08 to 16/1/08 Average Wind Speed :00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 0:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 m/s 15:00 Wind Rose - 15th & 16th January 2008 Dominant Wind Direction WNW NW NNW 60 N NNE 40 NE 20 ENE W WSW 0 E ESE SW SSW S SE SSE Number in Class Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

50 Report No. 29N TRP C o m p l i a n c e N o i s e S u r v e y & A s s es s m en t Page 20 of 28 APPENDIX B: LOCALITY MAP & SURVEY LOCATIONS Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

51 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 21 of 28 APPENDIX C: TIME TRACES Evening Survey 85 AS1 Gibson 15-Minute Trace 15/1/08 20: Nil 1 Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 REF 15-Minute Trace 15/1/08 20: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

52 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 22 of 28 Evening Survey ( cont..) 85 N2 S Doherty 15-Minute Trace 15/1/08 20: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 N3 Ex Harrison 15-Minute Trace 15/1/08 21: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

53 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 23 of 28 Night Survey 1 85 N3 Ex Harrison 15-Minute Trace 15/1/08 22: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 N2 S Doherty 15-Minute Trace 15/1/08 22: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

54 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 24 of 28 Night Survey 1 ( cont..) 85 REF 15-Minute Trace 15/1/08 23: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 AS1 Gibson 15-Minute Trace 15/1/08 23: Nil 1 Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

55 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 25 of 28 Night Survey 2 85 AS1 Gibson 15-Minute Trace 15/1/08 23: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 REF 15-Minute Trace 16/1/08 0: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

56 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 26 of 28 Night Survey 2 ( cont..) 85 N2 S Doherty 15-Minute Trace 16/1/08 0: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 N3 Ex Harrison 15-Minute Trace 16/1/08 1: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

57 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 27 of 28 Daytime Survey 85 N3 Ex Harrison 15-Minute Trace 16/1/08 12: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 N2 S Doherty 15-Minute Trace 16/1/08 13: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

58 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 28 of 28 Day Survey ( cont..) 85 REF 15-Minute Trace 16/1/08 13: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 AS1 Gibson 15-Minute Trace 16/1/08 14: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 2 Apr 2008

59 Prepared for: Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Duralie Coal Mine April 2008 Report No. 29N TRP June 2008 Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd Newcastle, NSW

60 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 2 of 29 DOCUMENT CONTROL Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment REPORT NO: LIBRARY CODE: 29N TRP RE39 PREPARED FOR: PREPARED BY: Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd P.O. Box 168 Shop 5 Shopping Village, Laycock Street Gloucester NSW 2422 CAREY BAY NSW 2283 AUSTRALIA Contact: Mr John Trotter huntervalley@vipac.com.au Phone: Phone: Fax : Fax : AUTHOR: REVIEWED BY: APPROVED BY: Simon Ritchie Date: 24 June 2008 Consulting Engineer Ian Guy Date: 24 June 2008 Manager, Newcastle Office Ian Guy Date: 24 June 2008 Manager, Newcastle Office REVISION HISTORY: Revision No. Date Issued Reason/Comments 0 24 June 2008 Initial Issue DISTRIBUTION: Copy No. 2 Location 1 Project 2 UNCONTROLLED COPY, pdf format Library KEYWORDS: NOTE: This is a controlled document within the document control system. If revised, it must be marked SUPERSEDED and returned to the Vipac QA Representative. This document contains commercial, conceptual and engineering information, which is proprietary to VIPAC Engineers & Scientists Ltd. We specifically state that inclusion of this information does not grant the Client any license to use the information without VIPAC's written permission. We further require that the information not be divulged to a third party without our written consent. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

61 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 3 of 29 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd (VIPAC) was engaged to undertake Environmental Compliance Noise Monitoring in the rural environment surrounding the Duralie Coal Mine (DCM) Site, Bucketts Way, Stroud Road NSW. The purpose of the assessment was to conduct ambient noise monitoring in accordance with the Department of Planning (DoP) Development Consent Modification Schedule 3 Condition 2, dated 2006 and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), now Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) Environmental Pollution Licence (EPL 11701), Section L6.1, Noise Limits. The noise monitoring survey commenced at 15:10hrs on Tuesday 29 th April and ended at 03:00hrs on Wednesday 30 th April Day-time Operator Attended Impact Assessment 29 th April 2008 DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the day-time attended noise monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AAS1 Lyall Nil 35 0 N2 S Doherty AS3 Jensen < Evening-time Operator Attended Impact Assessment 29 th April 2008 DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the evening-time attended noise-monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AAS1 Lyall < N2 S Doherty < AS3 Jensen < Night-time Operator Attended Impact Assessment 29 th 30 th April 2008 DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the night-time attended noise monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AAS1 Lyall 41, ,1 N2 S Doherty 33, ,0 AAS3 Jensen 30, ,0 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

62 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 4 of 29 Assessment of Compliance Sigma-theta data indicated a strong temperature inversion during the evening and night survey, therefore significant enhancement due to temperature gradient was observed. Consequently, the 41 & 36dB mine contribution at AAS1 Lyall at 00:07hrs and 00:33hrs respectively can be attributed to the strong temperature inversion (greater than 3 o C/100m) at the time combined with haul trucks and a track dozer working at an elevated dump height situated above natural ground level. As stated in the conditions of consent Schedule 3 note c), the criteria applies for Temperature inversion conditions of up to 3 o C/100m, and wind speeds of up to 2 m/s at 10 metres above ground level therefore the criteria does not apply in this case. Mine operating noise emissions were at or below the 35 noise criteria at all monitoring locations during the April 2008 Environmental Noise Level Survey except the two instances at AAS1 Lyall where noise from the mine was enhanced due to the effects of temperature inversion. The nominated monitoring locations represent the closest residences to the mine so that further located properties will receive mine noise levels somewhat lower than those measured, due to distance attenuation under stable atmospheric conditions. Under the prevailing weather conditions and based on the attended monitoring results it is concluded that mine noise emissions did not breach the criteria at any nearby residence during the 29 th 30 th April Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

63 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 5 of 29 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION DEFINITIONS OF ACOUSTICAL TERMS DURALIE COAL MINE SITE DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION METHODOLOGY INSTRUMENTS MONITORING LOCATIONS MONITORING WEATHER CRITERIA TEMPERATURE INVERSION CONDITIONS RESULTS DAY SURVEY RESULTS TUESDAY 29 TH APRIL Equipment Operating Prevailing Weather Conditions...11 Table 5.2.3: Day Noise Survey Results, 29 th April : Impact Assessment EVENING SURVEY RESULTS TUESDAY 29 TH JANUARY Equipment Operating Prevailing Weather Conditions...13 Table 5.1.3: Evening Noise Survey Results, 29 th April Impact Assessment NIGHT SURVEY RESULTS 29 TH /30 TH APRIL Equipment Operating Prevailing Weather Conditions...14 Table 5.3.3: Night time Noise Survey Results, 29 th 30 th April : Impact Assessment COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION...16 APPENDIX A: WEATHER CONDITIONS...18 APPENDIX B: LOCALITY MAP & SURVEY LOCATIONS...21 APPENDIX C: TIME TRACES...22 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

64 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 6 of INTRODUCTION Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd (VIPAC) was engaged to undertake Environmental Compliance Noise Monitoring in the rural environment surrounding the Duralie Coal Mine (DCM) Site, Buckets Way, Stroud Road NSW. The purpose of the assessment was to conduct ambient noise monitoring in accordance with the Department of Planning (DoP) Development Consent Modification Schedule 3 Condition 2, dated 2006 and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), now Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) Environmental Pollution Licence (EPL 11701), Section L6.1, Noise Limits. The noise monitoring survey commenced at 15:10hrs on Tuesday 29 th April and ended at 03:00hrs on Wednesday 30 th April DEFINITIONS OF ACOUSTICAL TERMS Table 1.1 provides the definitions of common acoustical terms and is presented as an aid to understanding this report. Table Acoustical Terms and Definition Term Lw L P Leq L 90 L 10 Definition A unit of measurement in decibels (A), of sound pressure level which has its frequency characteristics modified by a filter ("A-weighted") so as to more closely approximate the frequency response of the human ear. Sound Power Level radiated by a noise source per unit time re 1pW. Sound pressure level (SPL) or sound level L p is a logarithmic measure of the rms sound pressure of a sound relative to a reference value. Equivalent Continuous Noise Level - which, lasting for as long as a given noise event has the same amount of acoustic energy as the given event. The noise levels that is equalled or exceeded for 90% of the measurement period. An indicator of the mean minimum noise level, and is used in Australia as the descriptor for background or ambient noise (usually in dba). The noise levels that is equalled or exceeded for 10% of the measurement period. L 10 is an indicator of the mean maximum noise level, and is generally used in Australia as the descriptor for intrusive noise (usually in dba). Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

65 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 7 of DURALIE COAL MINE 2.1. SITE DESCRIPTION DCM is located east of the Bucketts Way between the villages of Stroud Road and Wards River, NSW DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION The following activities have the potential to generate noise during DCM operations: Operation of mobile equipment (e.g. excavators, loaders, haul trucks, dozers, graders, and water carts) for: Vegetation removal and stripping/stockpiling of soil resources; Open cut development and production; and Haulage of raw coal and mine waste; Operation of fixed plant (e.g. ROM bin, raw coal conveyor, bin loading/unloading, lighting plant and pit pumps); and, Rail transportation of coal on the mining lease. 3. METHODOLOGY Ambient noise level measurements were conducted in accordance with the requirements of the DECC, and as detailed in Australian Standard AS , Acoustics Description and Measurement of Environmental Noise, Part 1 General Procedures. The operator-attended surveys were conducted at each monitoring location to quantify ambient noise levels and the contributed levels of noise emitted from current Duralie Mining operations. The day, evening and night survey was conducted during January 2008 as follows: Daytime - conducted between 15:13hrs 17:05hrs Tuesday 29 th April 2008; Evening - conducted between 19:13hrs 22:00hrs Tuesday 29 th April 2008; Night - conducted between 22:57hrs Tuesday 29 th - 02:35hrs Wednesday 30 th April The Engineer determines Mine s noise contribution by noting instantaneous meter reading when the mine was clearly audible and dominant. Alternatively, the Mine s contribution was determined by noting the relative audibility of the mining activities at otherwise quiet times and establishing the difference in received sound level between the Mine s activities and the background noise level. The mine s contribution could be measured directly at most residential locations during the surveys. A scale of audibility is provided to gain a general understanding of the mining operation s noise levels received at the nearby residential locations. Clearly Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) plus 5 and greater. Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) plus/minus 5. Faintly Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) minus 5 to 8. Not Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) minus 8 and less. Exceptions to the above could be intermittent sounds from reverse beeps and dozer tracks etc. On occasions when the background noise levels are elevated due to extraneous noise sources the mine noise emissions are determined utilizing the octave filters of the sound level meter. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

66 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 8 of INSTRUMENTS Attended noise measurements were taken with A Brüel & Kjær (B&K) 2250 integrating sound level meter, fitted with a B&K 4189 ½ inch diameter electret microphone and a windshield. This instrument has performance characteristics within the requirements of Type 1 accuracy in accordance with AS1259, and has the capability to measure steady, fluctuating, intermittent and/or impulsive sound, and to compute and display percentile noise levels for the measuring period. During the attended surveys the B&K 2250 instrument was used to record a 1/3 octave, one second interval time trace of each 15-minute measurement enabling detailed analysis of the acoustic environment. Audio recording was performed simultaneously by the B&K2250 to enable crosschecking of the sample data where required. Noise levels over the 15-minute periods were calculated and stored in the B&K 2250 at each location during the surveys. The identifiable noise sources and their contributions were ranked in order of prominence. A Rion Sound Level Calibrator NC-73 was used to calibrate the SLM prior to measurement and checked at the conclusion. The difference in the two measurements was less than 0.5dB. The SLM was supported with the microphone approximately 1.5m above the ground at the monitoring locations. The 15-minute time traces from the surveys are collated in Appendix C MONITORING LOCATIONS Monitoring locations are described in Table below where operator attended noise monitoring was conducted and are shown on the Map of the Area, Appendix B. Table Monitoring Locations Location Resident/ Owner Address AAS1 2 Lyall Off Johnson Creek Road N2 S. Doherty 863 Johnson Creek Road AS3 2 Jensen Duralie Road REF 1 Mine Site W4 Johnson Creek Road Note: 1 Reference Site mine owned dwelling used as additional noise monitoring location. 2 Alternative noise monitoring site 3.3. MONITORING WEATHER The Mine Weather Station compound is located centrally on the Mine lease. Meteorological data from this location is collected by the Mine Management and provided to VIPAC for analysis. Data combined from the SCM and RFS weather stations is presented in fifteen-minute intervals in Appendix A of this Report including meteorological parameters such as wind direction, wind speed, temperature, sigma-theta and rainfall. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

67 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 9 of CRITERIA The DECC s Environmental Pollution Licence (EPL 11701) L6.1 Noise Limits states the following: L6.1 Operational Noise from the premises must not exceed: Noise Limits`1 Location Period Intrusive Criteria Leq(15 minute) SOUTHERN SITE (N1) Boundary of DCM controlled land adjacent to Johnson Creek Road 2 Day, Evening & Night 35 S DOHERTY (N2) Day, Evening & Night 35 AJ & DM HARRISON (N3) 3 Day, Evening & Night 35 Note: 1. The noise emissions identified in L6.1 apply for prevailing meteorological conditions (winds up to 3ms -1 ), except under conditions of temperature inversions. 2. An alternative noise monitoring site AAS1 Lyall, which is the closest non-mine owned dwelling in the vicinity of N1 relative to mine operations (refer to site map in Appendix B). 3. An alternative to noise monitoring site AS3 (T. Jensen), which is the closest non-mine owned dwelling in the vicinity of N3 relative to mine operations (refer to site map in Appendix B). Furthermore, DCM obtained approval from Department of Planning for the Duralie Coal Mine Extension Section 96(2) Modification Notice of Modification dated 30 th July 2006 (DA No. 169/99). The relevant noise criteria are given in Schedule 3 Condition 2 and is reproduced below. SCHEDULE 3 NOISE Noise Impact Assessment Criteria 2. The Applicant shall ensure that the noise generated by the development does not exceed the noise impact assessment criteria in Table 2. Day L Aeq (15 minute) (extract) Table 2: Noise Impact Assessment Criteria Evening L Aeq (15 minute) Night L Aeq (15 minute) Land Number Woodley Trigg N Relton (old) S Relton (new) Guidice 124 Zulomovski 135 Hare-Scott All other privately owned land excluding the land listed in Table 1 Notes: a) Noise from the development is to be measured at the most affected point or within the residential boundary, or at the most affected point within 30 metres of a dwelling (rural situations) where the dwelling is more than 30 metres from the boundary, to determine compliance with the L Aeq(15 minute) noise limits in the above table. Where it can be demonstrated that direct measurement of noise from the development is impractical, the Department and the DECC may accept alternative means of determining compliance (see Chapter 11 of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy). The modification factors in Section 4 of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy shall also be applied to the measured noise levels where applicable. b) Noise from the development is to be measured at 1 metre from the dwelling façade to determine compliance with the L A1(1 minute) noise limits in the above table. Where it can be demonstrated that direct measurement of noise from the development is impractical, the Department and the DECC may accept alternative means of determining compliance (see Chapter 11 of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy). c) The emission limits identified in the above table apply under meteorological conditions of: Wind speeds of up to 3 m/s at 10 metres above ground level: or Temperature inversion conditions of up to 3 o C/100m, and wind speeds of up to 2 m/s at 10 metres above ground level. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

68 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 10 of TEMPERATURE INVERSION CONDITIONS Meteorological data provided by Duralie Coal Mine and calculated Pasquil Stability Categories allows for the prediction of wind and temperature profiles to within a moderately narrow range without recourse to actual measurement. The sigma-theta method developed by the US EPA is employed to determine the occurrence of different stability classes and refers to observations of sigma theta, wind speed and time of day. The Pasquil stability method categories may be determined by using a relationship between stability categories and standard deviation of the horizontal wind direction fluctuations and wind speed as shown in Table Table 4.1.1: Pasquil-Gifford stability categories based on sigma-theta Daytime Pasquil Stability Category A σ A 22.5 Standard deviation of the horizontal wind direction fluctuations (σ A in degrees) B 17.5 σ A < 22.5 C 12.5 σ A < 17.5 Wind 10m (ms -1 ) < < < D 7.5 σ A < 12.5 Any D E 3.8 σ A < to 5 E F 2.1 σ A < to 3 F G σ A 2.1 < 2 G Note: Daytime stability category is calculated using σ A only; Nighttime stability category is determined using σ A and wind speed at 10m. Night-time Pasquil Stability Category Once the stability category is known the range of possible temperature gradients may be inferred as shown in Table along with estimates of the stability frequency. F E D F E D E D Stability Class Table 4.1.2: Frequency of Occurrence of Stability Classes Percentage Frequency 1 Percentage Frequency 2 Range of vertical temperature gradient DT/DZ ( O C/100 m) Qualitative Description A 20% 0% DT/DZ < -1.9 Lapse B 13% 0% -1.9 DT/DZ < -1.7 Lapse C 24% 0% -1.7 DT/DZ < -1.5 Lapse D 22% 15% -1.5 DT/DZ < -0.5 Neutral E 4% 10% -0.5 DT/DZ < 1.5 Weak Inversion F 2% 4% 1.5 DT/DZ < 4.0 Moderate Inversion G 13% 71% 4.0 DT/DZ Strong Inversion Note: 1 Based on daytime data for the measurement period 29 th 30 th April Based on evening and nighttime data for the measurement period 29 th 30 th April Based on the information above, moderate to strong inversions occurred approximately 58% of the evening/nighttime and 7% during the daytime survey period. Therefore since significant inversions are predicted to have occurred during this period, the noise enhancing effects of temperature inversion will be addressed where audible mine noise was recorded during evening and night attended monitoring. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

69 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 11 of RESULTS DCM supplies information on mining plant and equipment operations with specific site locations. The results of the evening, night and daytime operator attended surveys under prevailing weather conditions are presented in Table 5.1.3, and respectively, together with a description of audible sounds and their contribution DAY SURVEY RESULTS TUESDAY 29 TH APRIL Equipment Operating DCM operations during the day period of the survey consisted of the following: - Coal - Komatsu Excavator (Ex 5028) - 9 hrs - 3 Cat 789, Coal to ROM pad Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5029) RL 18m 7 hrs - 2 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dump RL 40m or lower. Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5002) RL 13m 6 hrs - 1 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dumps RL40m or lower Support - EX2020 Excavator Coal on ROM - 3 D10 Dozers 9, 9, and 5 hrs - Water Cart 3hrs - 16H Grader 9.5 hrs - Pit Pump 9hrs - Drill 9 hrs Processing - Train loading estimated 09:55hrs to 17:40hrs Prevailing Weather Conditions Table 5.1.2: Prevailing Weather Conditions Weather Parameter Location Measurement Temp. Cloud Wind Speed 2 Wind Direction Rainfall (hrs) C Cover (ms -1 ) (deg.) (mm) AAS1 Lyall 1 15: / REF 15: / N2 S. Doherty 16: / AS3 Jensen 16: / Noise measurements were conducted at AAS1 Lyall as this is now the closest non-mine owned residence in the vicinity of N1. 2 Wind speed was checked at each location during attended noise monitoring. Noise measurements were only conducted where wind speed was measured to be below 3.0m/s at the monitoring location. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

70 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 12 of 29 Location AAS1 Lyall 15:13hrs REF 15:56hrs N2 S. Doherty 16:18hrs AS3 T. Jensen 16:49hrs Table 5.2.3: Day Noise Survey Results, 29 th April 2008 Measurement Description Ambient Primary Noise Descriptor Description of Noise Source and Typical Maximum Levels Lmax Leq L 1 L 10 L Farm Activities (45-63), Cattle (37-56), Birds (35-45), Insects (38-43), Dogs (35-40). Mine Measured Contribution: Nil Mine operations not audible Aeroplane (40-62), Cattle (35-50), Ambient Road Traffic (40-49), Birds (40-49), Haul Trucks (35-47), Water pump (45), Mine Hum (30), Mine Measured Contribution: 37L eq Mine operations clearly audible Road Traffic (60-67), Birds (37-63), Ambient Train main line (47-55), Insects (45-51), Dozer (30-38), Haul Trucks (30-34), Mine Hum (<30). Mine Measured Contribution: 34L eq Mine operations not audible* Dogs (45-57), Cattle (35-53), Birds (36-51), Ambient Road Traffic (41-43), Aeroplane (40-44), Mine Hum (<30). Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations faintly audible * Note: Not Audible indicates that the mine noise is typically out of the range of human hearing; however it can be measured through instrumentation and spectral analysis : Impact Assessment Based on the operator attended day survey on 29 th April 2008, the Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were not audible at AAS1, 34 at N2 and <30 at AS3 in the prevailing weather conditions, being light to moderate winds from the west during the survey EVENING SURVEY RESULTS TUESDAY 29 TH APRIL Equipment Operating DCM operations during the evening survey consisted of the following: - Coal - Komatsu Excavator (Ex 5028) - 2 hrs - 2 Cat 789, Coal to ROM pad Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5029) RL 18m 9 hrs - 3 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dump RL 40m or lower. Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5002) RL 13m 6.5 hrs - 3 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dumps RL40m or lower Support - 3 D10 Dozers 9 hrs each - 16H Grader 8.5 hrs - Pit Pump 9hrs Processing - Train loading 20:45hrs to 21:30hrs Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

71 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 13 of Prevailing Weather Conditions The following atmospheric conditions were noted during this survey: Table 5.1.2: Prevailing Weather Conditions Weather Parameter Location Measurement Temp. Cloud Wind Speed 2 Wind Direction Rainfall (hrs) C Cover (ms -1 ) (deg.) (mm) AAS1 Lyall 1 19:13 9 0/ REF 20:09 8 0/ N2 S. Doherty 20:34 8 0/ AS3 Jensen 21:34 6 0/ Noise measurements were conducted at AAS1 Lyall as this is now the closest non-mine owned residence in the vicinity of N1. Location AS3 Jensen 19:13hrs AAS1 Lyall 19:46hrs Table 5.1.3: Evening Noise Survey Results, 29 th April 2008 Measurement Description Primary Noise Descriptor Description of Noise Source and Typical Maximum Levels Lmax Leq L 1 L 10 L 90 Road Traffic (35-53), Train main line (35-41), Cattle (38-40), Ambient Birds (38-39), Insects/frogs (37-39), Air Start (37-38), Dogs (36-38), Aeroplane (33-37), Mine Hum (<30), Mine Measured Contribution: <35 Mine operations audible Ambient Farm activities (40-52), Insects/frogs (36-42), Dogs (47-51), Train (35-41), Haul Truck & Dozer (<35). Mine Measured Contribution: <35 Mine operations not audible* REF 20:34hrs Ambient N2 S. Doherty 21:34hrs Train (45-54), Reverse duck quack (46-48), Excavator (37-43), Haul Truck (38-41), Mine Measured Contribution: 45L eq Mine operations audible Insects/Frogs (35-44), Aeroplane (37-39), Ambient Cattle (33-38), Birds (33-36), Horn (34-35), Haul Truck (30-35), Mine Hum (<30). Mine Measured Contribution: <35L eq Mine operations audible Impact Assessment Based on the operator attended evening survey on 29 th April 2008, the Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were <35 at AS3, AAS1 & N2 S Doherty in the prevailing weather conditions, being light north-north-westerly winds throughout the period. Sigma-theta data indicated a strong temperature inversion, therefore significant enhancement due to temperature gradient was observed. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

72 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 14 of NIGHT SURVEY RESULTS 29 TH /30 TH APRIL Equipment Operating DCM operations during the evening and nighttime period of the survey consisted of the following: - Coal - Komatsu Excavator (Ex 5028) - 2 hrs - 2 Cat 789, Coal to ROM pad Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5029) RL 18m 9 hrs - 3 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dump RL 40m or lower. Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5002) RL 13m 6.5 hrs - 3 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dumps RL40m or lower Support - 3 D10 Dozers 9 hrs each - 16H Grader 8.5 hrs - Pit Pump 9hrs Processing - Train loading no trains Prevailing Weather Conditions Table 5.1.2: Prevailing Weather Conditions Weather Parameter Location Measurement Temp. Cloud Wind Speed 2 Wind Direction Rainfall (hrs) C Cover (ms -1 ) (deg.) (mm) AS3 Jensen 22:57 5 0/ AS3 Jensen 23:17 4 0/ AAS1 Lyall 1 23:50 4 0/ AAS1 Lyall 1 00:07 4 0/ REF 01:14 4 0/ N2 S Doherty 01:37 4 0/ N2 S Doherty 02:20 4 0/ Noise measurements were conducted at AAS1 Lyall as this is now the closest non-mine owned residence in the vicinity of N1. 2 Wind speed was checked at each location during attended noise monitoring. Noise measurements were only conducted where wind speed was measured to be below 3.0m/s. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

73 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 15 of 29 Table 5.3.3: Night time Noise Survey Results, 29 th 30 th April 2008 Location AS3 Jensen 22:57hrs AS3 Jensen 23:17hrs AAS1 Lyall 23:50hrs AAS1 Lyall 00:07hrs REF 01:14hrs N2 S Doherty 01:37hrs N2 S Doherty 02:20hrs Measurement Description Primary Noise Descriptor Description of Noise Source and Typical Maximum Levels Lmax Leq L 1 L 10 L Cattle (30-35), Insects/frogs (27-34), Ambient Haul Trucks (30-32), Dogs (29-32), Excavator (29-30), Road Traffic (27-29). Mine Measured Contribution: 30L eq Mine operations audible Road Traffic (35-45), Cattle (31-43), Ambient Aeroplane (36-40), Insects/frogs (29-35), Horn (29-31), Haul Trucks (27-30), Excavator (<30). Mine Measured Contribution: 28L eq Mine operations faintly audible Dozer (42-48), Dogs (42-46), Ambient Haul Trucks (42-43), Insects/frogs (41-42), Horn (41), Reverse Quack (37). Mine Measured Contribution: 41L eq Mine operations audible Aeroplane (50-52), Ambient Train main line (40-49), Insects/frogs (40-45), Haul Truck (40-44), Dogs (40-43), Cattle (37-38) Mine Measured Contribution: 36L eq Mine operations audible Horn (39-44), Reverse Beep (35-42), Ambient Haul Truck (36-40), Excavator (36-38), Insects/frogs (35-38), Cattle (34-37), Mine Hum (<30). Mine Measured Contribution: 37L eq Mine operations not audible* Train (37-61), Insects/frogs (33-40), Ambient Aeroplane (36-37), Mine Hum (32-34), Birds (33). Mine Measured Contribution: 33L eq Mine operations audible Birds (30-45), Cattle (32-41), Insects/frogs Ambient (34-35), Mine Hum (33-34), Horn (<30). Mine Measured Contribution: 30L eq Mine operations not audible* * Note: Not Audible indicates that the mine noise is typically out of the range of human hearing; however it can be measured through instrumentation and spectral analysis : Impact Assessment Based on the operator attended night-time survey on 29 th 30 th April 2008, the Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were 30 and 28 at AS3 Jensen; 46 and 36 at AAS1 Lyall; and 33 and 30 at N2 Doherty. Weather conditions consisted of light northerly breezes blowing from the mine towards AAS1 and away from N3. Sigma-theta data indicated a strong temperature inversion, therefore significant enhancement due to temperature gradient was observed. Consequently, the recorded 41 & 36dB mine contribution at AAS1 Lyall at 00:07hrs and 00:33hrs respectively can be attributed to the strong temperature inversion (greater than 3 o C/100m) at the time combined with haul trucks and a track dozer working at an elevated dump height situated above natural ground level. As stated in the conditions of consent Schedule 3 note c), the criteria applies for Temperature inversion conditions of up to 3 o C/100m, and wind speeds of up to 2 m/s at 10 metres above ground level therefore the criteria does not apply in this case. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

74 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 16 of COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the attended noise-monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Table Received Noise Noise Monitoring Locations under prevailing weather conditions Daytime Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AAS1 Lyall Nil 35 0 N2 S Doherty AS3 Jensen < As shown in Table 5.4.1, the required daytime noise level (criteria) was not exceeded on any occasion during the survey. Table Received Noise Noise Monitoring Locations under prevailing weather conditions Evening time Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AAS1 Lyall < N2 S Doherty < AS3 Jensen < As shown in Table 5.4.2, the required evening-time noise level (criteria) was not exceeded at any occasion during the evening survey. Table Received Noise Noise Monitoring Locations under prevailing weather conditions Night time Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AAS1 Lyall 41, ,1 N2 S Doherty 33, ,0 AAS3 Jensen 30, ,0 As shown in Table 5.4.3, the required night noise level (criteria) was exceeded at AAS1 Lyall during the nighttime survey. 6. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION An Environmental Compliance Noise Monitoring Survey has been carried out in the rural environment surrounding the Duralie Coal Mine Site, Duralie Road, NSW. The survey was requested by to ascertain the degree of compliance of noise emissions generated from the operation of Duralie Coal Mine with licence and consent conditions. Day received mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were not audible at AAS1, 34 at N2 and <30 at AS3 in the prevailing weather conditions, being light to moderate winds from the west during the survey. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

75 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 17 of 29 Evening received mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were <35 at AS3, AAS1 & N2 S Doherty in the prevailing weather conditions, being light north-north-westerly winds throughout the period. Night-time received mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were 30 and 28 at AS3 Jensen; 46 and 36 at AAS1 Lyall; and 33 and 30 at N2 Doherty. Weather conditions consisted of light northerly breezes blowing from the mine towards AAS1 and away from N3. Sigma-theta data indicated a strong temperature inversion during the evening and night survey, therefore significant enhancement due to temperature gradient was observed. Consequently, the 41 & 36dB mine contribution at AAS1 Lyall at 00:07hrs and 00:33hrs respectively can be attributed to the strong temperature inversion (greater than 3 o C/100m) at the time combined with haul trucks and a track dozer working at an elevated dump height situated above natural ground level. As stated in the conditions of consent Schedule 3 note c), the criteria applies for Temperature inversion conditions of up to 3 o C/100m, and wind speeds of up to 2 m/s at 10 metres above ground level therefore the criteria does not apply in this case. Mine operating noise emissions were at or below the 35 noise criteria at all monitoring locations during the April 2008 Environmental Noise Level Survey except the two instances at AAS1 Lyall where noise from the mine was enhanced due to the effects of temperature inversion. The nominated monitoring locations represent the closest residences to the mine so that further located properties will receive mine noise levels somewhat lower than those measured, due to distance attenuation under stable atmospheric conditions. Under the prevailing weather conditions and based on the attended monitoring results it is concluded that mine noise emissions did not breach the criteria at any nearby residence during the 29 th 30 th April Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

76 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 18 of 29 Date (Hrs) APPENDIX A: WEATHER CONDITIONS Air Temperature ( o C) Wind Direction ( o Angle) Sigma ( o Angle) Wind Speed (m/s) Rain (mm) 29/04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

77 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 19 of 29 Date (Hrs) Weather conditions (cont..) Air Temperature ( o C) Wind Direction ( o Angle) Sigma ( o Angle) Wind Speed (m/s) Rain (mm) 30/04/2008 0: /04/2008 0: /04/2008 0: /04/2008 0: /04/2008 1: /04/2008 1: /04/2008 1: /04/2008 1: /04/2008 2: /04/2008 2: /04/2008 2: /04/2008 2: /04/2008 3: /04/2008 3: /04/2008 3: /04/2008 3: /04/2008 4: /04/2008 4: /04/2008 4: /04/2008 4: /04/2008 5: /04/2008 5: /04/2008 5: /04/2008 5: /04/2008 6: /04/2008 6: /04/2008 6: /04/2008 6: /04/2008 7: /04/2008 7: /04/2008 7: /04/2008 7: /04/2008 8: /04/2008 8: /04/2008 8: /04/2008 8: /04/2008 9: /04/2008 9: /04/2008 9: /04/2008 9: /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : /04/ : Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

78 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 20 of 29 Noise Survey Wind Speed 12 Noon 29/4/08 to 12 Noon 30/4/ m/s :00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 0:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 Wind Rose - 29th & 30th April 2008 Dominant Wind Direction WNW W NNW NW 20 N NNE 15 NE 10 ENE 5 0 E WSW SW SSW S SE SSE ESE Number in Class Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

79 Report No. 29N TRP C o m p l i a n c e N o i s e S u r v e y & A s s es s m en t Page 21 of 29 APPENDIX B: LOCALITY MAP & SURVEY LOCATIONS Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

80 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 22 of 29 APPENDIX C: TIME TRACES Daytime Survey 85 AAS1 Lyall 15-Minute 29/4/ Nil 1 Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution 75 d B( :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 REF 15-Minute Trace 29/4/08 15: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

81 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 23 of 29 Daytime Survey ( cont..) 85 N2 Doherty 15-Minute Trace 29/4/08 16: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 AS3 Jensen 15-Minute Trace 29/4/08 16: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

82 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 24 of 29 Evening Survey 85 AS3 Jensen 15-Minute Trace 29/4/08 19: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 AAS1 Lyall 15-Minute Trace 29/4/08 19: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

83 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 25 of 29 Evening Survey ( cont..) 85 REF 15-Minute Trace 29/4/08 20: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 N2 S Doherty 15-Minute Trace 29/4/08 21: < Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

84 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 26 of 29 Night Survey 85 AS3 Jensen 15-Minute Trace 29/4/08 22: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 AS3 Jensen 15-Minute Trace 29/4/08 23: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

85 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 27 of 29 Night Survey ( cont..) 85 AAS1 Lyall 15-Minute Trace 29/4/08 23: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 AAS1 Lyall 15-Minute Trace 30/4/08 0: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

86 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 28 of 29 Night Survey ( cont..) 85 REF 15-Minute Trace 30/4/08 1: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 85 N2 S Doherty 15-Minute Trace 30/4/08 1: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

87 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 29 of 29 Night Survey ( cont..) 85 N2 S Doherty 15-Minute Trace 30/4/08 2: Second Leq Leq L 90 Mine Contribution :00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 24 June 2008

88 Prepared for: Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Duralie Coal Mine July 2008 Report No. 29N TRP September 2008 Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd Newcastle, NSW

89 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 2 of 31 DOCUMENT CONTROL Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment REPORT NO: LIBRARY CODE: 29N TRP PREPARED FOR: PREPARED BY: Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd P.O. Box 168 Shop 5 Shopping Village, Laycock Street Gloucester NSW 2422 CAREY BAY NSW 2283 AUSTRALIA Contact: John Trotter huntervalley@vipac.com.au Phone: Phone: Fax : Fax : AUTHOR: REVIEWED/APPROVED BY: Simon Ritchie Date: 4 September 2008 Consulting Engineer Ian Guy Date: 4 September 2008 Manager, Newcastle Office REVISION HISTORY: Revision No. Date Issued Reason/Comments 0 4 September 2008 Initial Issue DISTRIBUTION: Copy No._2_ Location 1 Project 2 UNCONTROLLED COPY Client, pdf format KEYWORDS: Mining; Compliance; Noise NOTE: This is a controlled document within the document control system. If revised, it must be marked SUPERSEDED and returned to the Vipac QA Representative. This document contains commercial, conceptual and engineering information, which is proprietary to VIPAC Engineers & Scientists Ltd. We specifically state that inclusion of this information does not grant the Client any license to use the information without VIPAC's written permission. We further require that the information not be divulged to a third party without our written consent. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

90 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 3 of 31 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd (VIPAC) was engaged to undertake Environmental Compliance Noise Monitoring in the rural environment surrounding the Duralie Coal Mine (DCM) Site, Bucketts Way, Stroud Road NSW. The purpose of the assessment was to conduct ambient noise monitoring in accordance with the Department of Planning (DoP) Development Consent Modification Schedule 3 Condition 2, dated 2006 and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), now Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) Environmental Pollution Licence (EPL 11701), Section L6.1, Noise Limits. The noise monitoring survey commenced at 20:05hrs on Thursday 17 th July and ended at 14:01hrs on Friday 18 th July Day-time Operator Attended Impact Assessment 18 th July 2008 DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the daytime attended noise-monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AAS1 Lyall Nil 35 0 N2 S Doherty < AS3 Jensen Nil 35 0 Hope < Evening-time Operator Attended Impact Assessment 17 th July 2008 DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the evening-time attended noise-monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AAS1 Lyall * N2 S Doherty < AS3 Jensen *Note: Significant temperature inversion was recorded at this time. Night-time Operator Attended Impact Assessment 17 th 18 th July 2008 DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the nighttime attended noise-monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Monitoring Locations Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Excursion AAS1 Lyall <35, < , 0 N2 S Doherty <30, < , 0 AS3 Jensen Nil, Nil 35 0, 0 Hope 31, < , 0 Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

91 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 4 of 31 Assessment of Compliance Sigma-theta data indicated a strong temperature inversion during the evening survey, therefore significant enhancement due to temperature gradient was observed. Consequently, the 40dB mine contribution at AAS1 Lyall during the evening survey can be attributed to the strong temperature inversion (greater than 3 o C/100m) at the time. As stated in the conditions of consent Schedule 3 note c), the 35 criteria applies for Temperature inversion conditions of up to 3 o C/100m, and wind speeds of up to 2 m/s at 10 metres above ground level therefore the criteria does not apply in this case. Mine operating noise emissions were at or below the 35 noise criteria at all monitoring locations during the July 2008 Environmental Noise Level Survey except the one instance at AAS1 Lyall where noise from the mine was enhanced due to the effects of temperature inversion. The nominated monitoring locations represent the closest residences to the mine so that further located properties will receive mine noise levels somewhat lower than those measured, due to distance attenuation under stable atmospheric conditions. Under the prevailing weather conditions and based on the attended monitoring results it is concluded that mine noise emissions did not breach the 35 criteria at any nearby residence during the 17 th 18 th July 2008 survey. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

92 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 5 of 31 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION DEFINITIONS OF ACOUSTICAL TERMS DURALIE COAL MINE SITE DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION METHODOLOGY INSTRUMENTS MONITORING LOCATIONS MONITORING WEATHER CRITERIA TEMPERATURE INVERSION CONDITIONS RESULTS DAY SURVEY RESULTS TUESDAY 18 TH JULY Equipment Operating Prevailing Weather Conditions Table 5.1.3: Day Noise Survey Results, 18 h July : Noise Impact Assessment - Daytime EVENING SURVEY RESULTS 17 TH JULY Equipment Operating Prevailing Weather Conditions Table 5.2.3: Evening Noise Survey Results, 17 th July Noise Impact Assessment - Evening NIGHT SURVEY RESULTS 17 TH /18 TH JULY Equipment Operating Prevailing Weather Conditions Table 5.3.3: Night time Noise Survey Results, 17 th 18 th July Noise Impact Assessment - Night COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION APPENDIX A: WEATHER CONDITIONS APPENDIX B: LOCALITY MAP & SURVEY LOCATIONS APPENDIX C: TIME TRACES Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

93 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 6 of INTRODUCTION Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd (VIPAC) was engaged to undertake Environmental Compliance Noise Monitoring in the rural environment surrounding the Duralie Coal Mine (DCM) Site, Buckets Way, Stroud Road NSW. The purpose of the assessment was to conduct ambient noise monitoring in accordance with the Department of Planning (DoP) Development Consent Modification Schedule 3 Condition 2, dated 2006 and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), now Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) Environmental Pollution Licence (EPL 11701), Section L6.1, Noise Limits. Additional measurements were conducted at the Hope residence located on Mill Creek Road to the East of the mine to determine whether any adverse impact exists at this location and other nearby residences. The noise monitoring survey commenced at 20:05hrs on Thursday 17 th July and ended at 14:01hrs on Friday 18 th July DEFINITIONS OF ACOUSTICAL TERMS Table 1.1 provides the definitions of common acoustical terms and is presented as an aid to understanding this report. Term Lw L P Leq L 90 L 10 Table Acoustical Terms and Definition Definition A unit of measurement in decibels (A), of sound pressure level which has its frequency characteristics modified by a filter ("A-weighted") so as to more closely approximate the frequency response of the human ear. Sound Power Level radiated by a noise source per unit time re 1pW. Sound pressure level (SPL) or sound level L p is a logarithmic measure of the rms sound pressure of a sound relative to a reference value. Equivalent Continuous Noise Level - which, lasting for as long as a given noise event has the same amount of acoustic energy as the given event. The noise levels that is equalled or exceeded for 90% of the measurement period. An indicator of the mean minimum noise level, and is used in Australia as the descriptor for background or ambient noise (usually in dba). The noise levels that is equalled or exceeded for 10% of the measurement period. L 10 is an indicator of the mean maximum noise level, and is generally used in Australia as the descriptor for intrusive noise (usually in dba). Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

94 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 7 of DURALIE COAL MINE 2.1. SITE DESCRIPTION DCM is located east of the Bucketts Way between the villages of Stroud Road and Wards River, NSW DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION The following activities have the potential to generate noise during DCM operations: Operation of mobile equipment (e.g. excavators, loaders, haul trucks, dozers, graders, and water carts) for: Vegetation removal and stripping/stockpiling of soil resources; Open cut development and production; and Haulage of raw coal and mine waste; Operation of fixed plant (e.g. ROM bin, raw coal conveyor, bin loading/unloading, lighting plant and pit pumps); and, Rail transportation of coal on the mining lease. 3. METHODOLOGY Ambient noise level measurements were conducted in accordance with the requirements of the DECC, and as detailed in Australian Standard AS , Acoustics Description and Measurement of Environmental Noise, Part 1 General Procedures. The operator-attended surveys were conducted at each monitoring location to quantify ambient noise levels and the contributed levels of noise emitted from current Duralie Mining operations. The day, evening and night survey was conducted as follows: Daytime - conducted between 11:44hrs 14:01hrs Friday 18 th July 2008; Evening - conducted between 20:05hrs 21:50hrs Thursday 17 th July 2008; Night - conducted between 22:17hrs Thursday 17 th - 02:51hrs Friday 18 th July The Engineer determines Mine s noise contribution by noting instantaneous meter reading when the mine was clearly audible and dominant. Alternatively, the Mine s contribution was determined by noting the relative audibility of the mining activities at otherwise quiet times and establishing the difference in received sound level between the Mine s activities and the background noise level. The mine s contribution could be measured directly at most residential locations during the surveys. A scale of audibility is provided to gain a general understanding of the mining operation s noise levels received at the nearby residential locations. Clearly Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) plus 5 and greater. Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) plus/minus 5. Faintly Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) minus 5 to 8. Not Audible: Background noise level (L 90 ) minus 8 and less. Exceptions to the above could be intermittent sounds from reverse beeps and dozer tracks etc. On occasions when the background noise levels are elevated due to extraneous noise sources the mine noise emissions are determined utilizing the octave filters of the sound level meter. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

95 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 8 of INSTRUMENTS Attended noise measurements were taken with A Brüel & Kjær (B&K) 2250 integrating sound level meter, fitted with a B&K 4189 ½ inch diameter electret microphone and a windshield. This instrument has performance characteristics within the requirements of Type 1 accuracy in accordance with AS1259, and has the capability to measure steady, fluctuating, intermittent and/or impulsive sound, and to compute and display percentile noise levels for the measuring period. During the attended surveys the B&K 2250 instrument was used to record a 1/3 octave, one-second interval time trace of each 15-minute measurement enabling detailed analysis of the acoustic environment. Audio recording was performed simultaneously by the B&K2250 to enable crosschecking of the sample data where required. Noise levels over the 15-minute periods were calculated and stored in the B&K 2250 at each location during the surveys. The identifiable noise sources and their contributions were ranked in order of prominence. A Rion Sound Level Calibrator NC-73 was used to calibrate the SLM prior to measurement and checked at the conclusion. The difference in the two measurements was less than 0.5dB. The SLM was supported with the microphone approximately 1.5m above the ground at the monitoring locations. The 15-minute time traces from the surveys are collated in Appendix C MONITORING LOCATIONS Monitoring locations are described in Table below where operator attended noise monitoring was conducted and are shown on the Map of the Area, Appendix B. Table Monitoring Locations Location Resident/ Owner Address AAS1 2 Lyall Off Johnson Creek Road N2 S. Doherty 863 Johnson Creek Road AS3 2 Jensen Duralie Road REF 1 Mine Site W4 Johnson Creek Road Hope 3 Hope 1278 Mill Creek Road Note: 1 Reference Site mine owned dwelling used as additional noise monitoring location. 2 Alternative noise monitoring site. 3 Additional (one-off) monitoring site MONITORING WEATHER The Mine Weather Station compound is located centrally on the Mine lease. Meteorological data from this location is collected by the Mine Management and provided to VIPAC for analysis. Data is presented in fifteen-minute intervals in Appendix A of this Report including meteorological parameters such as wind direction, wind speed, temperature, sigma-theta and rainfall. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

96 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 9 of CRITERIA The DECC s Environmental Pollution Licence (EPL 11701) L6.1 Noise Limits states the following: L6.1 Operational Noise from the premises must not exceed: Noise Limits`1 Location Period Intrusive Criteria Leq(15 minute) SOUTHERN SITE (N1) Boundary of DCM controlled land adjacent to Johnson Creek Road 2 Day, Evening & Night 35 S DOHERTY (N2) Day, Evening & Night 35 AJ & DM HARRISON (N3) 3 Day, Evening & Night 35 Note: 1. The noise emissions identified in L6.1 apply for prevailing meteorological conditions (winds up to 3ms -1 ), except under conditions of temperature inversions. 2. An alternative noise monitoring site AAS1 Lyall, which is the closest non-mine owned dwelling in the vicinity of N1 relative to mine operations (refer to site map in Appendix B). 3. An alternative to noise monitoring site AS3 (T. Jensen), which is the closest non-mine owned dwelling in the vicinity of N3 relative to mine operations (refer to site map in Appendix B). Furthermore, DCM obtained approval from Department of Planning for the Duralie Coal Mine Extension Section 96(2) Modification Notice of Modification dated 30 th July 2006 (DA No. 169/99). The relevant noise criterion is given in Schedule 3 Condition 2 and is reproduced below. SCHEDULE 3 NOISE Noise Impact Assessment Criteria 2. The Applicant shall ensure that the noise generated by the development does not exceed the noise impact assessment criteria in Table 2. Day L Aeq (15 minute) (Extract) Table 2: Noise Impact Assessment Criteria Evening L Aeq (15 minute) Night L Aeq (15 minute) Land Number Woodley Trigg N Relton (old) S Relton (new) Guidice 124 Zulomovski 135 Hare-Scott All other privately owned land excluding the land listed in Table 1 Notes: a) Noise from the development is to be measured at the most affected point or within the residential boundary, or at the most affected point within 30 metres of a dwelling (rural situations) where the dwelling is more than 30 metres from the boundary, to determine compliance with the L Aeq(15 minute) noise limits in the above table. Where it can be demonstrated that direct measurement of noise from the development is impractical, the Department and the DECC may accept alternative means of determining compliance (see Chapter 11 of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy). The modification factors in Section 4 of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy shall also be applied to the measured noise levels where applicable. b) Noise from the development is to be measured at 1 metre from the dwelling façade to determine compliance with the L A1(1 minute) noise limits in the above table. Where it can be demonstrated that direct measurement of noise from the development is impractical, the Department and the DECC may accept alternative means of determining compliance (see Chapter 11 of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy). c) The emission limits identified in the above table apply under meteorological conditions of: Wind speeds of up to 3 m/s at 10 metres above ground level: or Temperature inversion conditions of up to 3 o C/100m, and wind speeds of up to 2 m/s at 10 metres above ground level. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

97 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 10 of TEMPERATURE INVERSION CONDITIONS Meteorological data provided by Duralie Coal Mine and calculated Pasquil Stability Categories allows for the prediction of wind and temperature profiles to within a moderately narrow range without recourse to actual measurement. The sigma-theta method developed by the US EPA is employed to determine the occurrence of different stability classes and refers to observations of sigma theta, wind speed and time of day. The Pasquil stability method categories may be determined by using a relationship between stability categories and standard deviation of the horizontal wind direction fluctuations and wind speed as shown in Table Table 4.1.1: Pasquil-Gifford stability categories based on sigma-theta Daytime Pasquil Stability Category Standard deviation of the horizontal wind direction fluctuations (σ A in degrees) A σ A 22.5 B 17.5 σ A < 22.5 C 12.5 σ A < 17.5 Wind 10m (ms -1 ) < < < Night-time Pasquil Stability Category D 7.5 σ A < 12.5 Any D E 3.8 σ A < to 5 E F 2.1 σ A < to 3 F G σ A 2.1 < 2 G Note: Daytime stability category is calculated using σ A only; Nighttime stability category is determined using σ A and wind speed at 10m. Once the stability category is known the range of possible temperature gradients may be inferred as shown in Table along with estimates of the stability frequency. Table 4.1.2: Frequency of Occurrence of Stability Classes Stability Class Percentage Frequency 1 Percentage Frequency 2 Range of vertical temperature gradient DT/DZ ( O C/100 m) F E D F E D E D Qualitative Description A 64% 0% DT/DZ < -1.9 Lapse B 16% 0% -1.9 DT/DZ < -1.7 Lapse C 9% 0% -1.7 DT/DZ < -1.5 Lapse D 9% 44% -1.5 DT/DZ < -0.5 Neutral E 0% 25% -0.5 DT/DZ < 1.5 Weak Inversion F 0% 23% 1.5 DT/DZ < 4.0 Moderate Inversion G 2% 8% 4.0 DT/DZ Strong Inversion Note: 1 Based on daytime data for the measurement period 17 th 18 th July Based on evening/night time data for the measurement period 17 th 18 th July Based on the information above, moderate to strong inversions occurred approximately 31% of the evening/nighttime and 2% during the daytime survey period. Therefore since significant inversions are predicted to have occurred during the evening/nighttime period, the noise enhancing effects of temperature inversion will be considered where audible mine noise was recorded during evening and night attended monitoring. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

98 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 11 of RESULTS DCM supplies information on mining plant and equipment operations with specific site locations. The results of the day, evening, and nighttime operator attended surveys under prevailing weather conditions are presented in Table 5.1.3, and respectively, together with a description of audible sounds and their contribution DAY SURVEY RESULTS TUESDAY 18 TH JULY Equipment Operating DCM operations during the day survey period consisted of the following: - Coal/Waste Waste Fleet Waste Fleet Support Processing - Komatsu Excavator (Ex 5028) 3 & 4.5 hrs - 2 Cat 789, Coal to ROM pad RL 17m - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5029) 7.6 hrs RL 50m - 2 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dump RL 17m. - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5002) 8.5 hrs RL 57m - 3 Cat 789 Truck waste to in-pit waste dumps RL 60m. - EX2020 Excavator Coal on ROM 3hrs - 3 D10 Dozers 7.6, 7.5 and 7.5 hrs - Water Cart 1hr - 16H Grader 2.2 hrs - Drill (2) 9, 8.2 hrs - Train loading within the period estimated 13.25hrs to 15:06hrs Prevailing Weather Conditions The following atmospheric weather conditions were noted during this daytime survey: Table 5.1.2: Daytime Weather Conditions Location Measurement (hrs) Temp. O C Weather Parameter Cloud Cover Wind Speed 1 (ms -1 ) Wind Direction (deg.) Rainfall (mm) AS3 11: AAS1 12: REF 12: N2 13: Hope 2 13: Wind speed was checked at each location during attended noise monitoring. Noise measurements were only conducted where wind speed was measured to be below 3.0m/s at the monitoring location. 2 An additional noise measurement was conducted at the Hope residence, situated to the East during the daytime survey. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

99 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 12 of 31 Table 5.1.3: Day Noise Survey Results, 18 h July 2008 Location Measurement Description Primary Noise Descriptor Description of Noise Source and Typical Maximum Levels Lmax AS3 Jensen 11:43hrs AAS1 Lyall 12:31hrs REF 12:55hrs Leq L 1 L 10 L 90 Birds (55-58), Wind in Foliage (40-57), Ambient Road Traffic (39-46), Aeroplane (37-43), Insects (42-43), Mine (Nil) Mine Measured Contribution: Nil Mine operations not audible Ambient Birds (40-62), Cattle (36-38), Wind in Foliage (34-37), Dogs (33-35), Aeroplane (32-34). Mine Measured Contribution: Nil Mine operations not audible Ambient Aeroplane (50-55), Birds (45-51), Wind on Microphone (40-50) N2 S Doherty 13:08hrs Hope 13:45hrs Mine Measured Contribution: Nil Mine operations not audible Ambient Wind in Foliage (45-52), Cattle (35-39), Haul Truck (34-35), Track Dozer (<35) Mine Measured Contribution: <35L eq Mine operations audible Ambient Car pass by (60-71), Birds (37-65), Cattle (34-58), Aeroplane (42-49), Wind in Foliage (47-48), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations faintly audible 5.1.4: Noise Impact Assessment - Daytime Based on the operator attended day survey on 18 th July 2008, the Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were not audible at AAS1 Lyall & AS3 Jensen, <35 at N2 S. Doherty, and <30 at the additional location Hope in the prevailing weather conditions, being light to moderate winds from the west during the survey EVENING SURVEY RESULTS 17 TH JULY Equipment Operating DCM operations during the evening survey period consisted of the following: - Coal/waste - Komatsu Excavator (Ex 5028) 7 & 1 hrs - 2 Cat 789, Coal to ROM pad, Waste to RL 17m Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5029) 9.2 hrs RL 46.5m - 1 Cat 789 Truck waste to in-pit waste dump RL 17m. Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5002) 9 hrs RL 57m - 3 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dumps RL 60m. Support Processing - 3 D10 Dozers 9.3, 9.2 & 8.4hrs - Water Cart 4hr - 16H Grader 8.6hrs - Drill (2) 4, 1.8hrs -Lighting plant - Train loading 21.00hrs to 21:30hrs Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

100 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 13 of Prevailing Weather Conditions The following atmospheric conditions were noted during this evening survey: Location Measurement (hrs) Table 5.1.2: Evening Weather Conditions Temp. O C Weather Parameter Cloud Cover Wind Speed (ms -1 ) Wind Direction (deg.) Rainfall (mm) AS3 20: / AAS1 20: / REF 21:11 8 0/ N2 21:35 8 0/ Table 5.2.3: Evening Noise Survey Results, 17 th July 2008 Location Measurement Description Primary Noise Descriptor Description of Noise Source and Typical Maximum Levels Lmax AS3 Jensen 20:05hrs AAS1 Lyall 20:42hrs REF 21:11hrs N2 S Doherty 21:35hrs Leq L 1 L 10 L 90 Falling Stick (40-49), Road Traffic (35-43), Birds (36), Aircraft (33-35), Ambient Insects/Frogs (30-34), Air Starter (34), Bucket Bangs (32-33), Haul Trucks (31-32), Dogs (30-32), Horn (<30-32), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: 30L eq Mine operations audible Ambient Domestic Activities (37-66), Passing train (38-47), Insects/Frogs (34-42), Haul Truck (40-42), Haul Truck Horn (42), Dumping (40-41), Train Horn (39), Reverse Alarm (34-35) Mine Measured Contribution: 40L eq Mine operations clearly audible Ambient Excavator Horn (59), Train Loading (47-54), Haul Truck (43-53), Dozer Tracks (45-52), Duck Quack (45-47), Excavator (46-50), Train Main Line (44-46), Insects/Frogs (36-37) Mine Measured Contribution: 47L eq Mine operations clearly audible Ambient Birds (50), Aeroplane (33-40), Cattle (36), Insects/Frogs (33-36), Haul truck (30-32), Excavator Horn (31), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations faintly audible Noise Impact Assessment - Evening Based on the operator attended evening survey on 17 th July 2008, the Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were 30 at AS3, 40 at AAS1 and <30 at N2 S Doherty in the prevailing weather conditions, being light north-north-westerly winds throughout the period. Sigma-theta data indicated a strong temperature inversion (G class), therefore significant enhancement due to temperature gradient was observed. Consequently, the recorded 40dB mine contribution at AAS1 Lyall at can be attributed to the strong temperature inversion (greater than 3 o C/100m) at the time. As stated in the conditions of consent Schedule 3 note c), the 35 criteria applies for Temperature inversion conditions of up to 3 o C/100m, and wind speeds of up to 2 m/s at 10 metres above ground level therefore the criteria does not apply in this case. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

101 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 14 of NIGHT SURVEY RESULTS 17 TH /18 TH JULY Equipment Operating DCM operations during the night survey period consisted of the following: - Coal/waste - Komatsu Excavator (Ex 5028) 7 & 1 hrs - 2 Cat 789, Coal to ROM pad, Waste to RL 17m Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5029) 9.2 hrs RL 46.5m - 1 Cat 789 Truck waste to in-pit waste dump RL 17m. Waste Fleet - Liebherr Excavator (Ex 5002) 9 hrs RL 57m - 3 Cat 789 Trucks waste to in-pit waste dumps RL 60m. Support Processing - 3 D10 Dozers 9.3, 9.2 & 8.4hrs - Water Cart 4hr - 16H Grader 8.6hrs - Drill (2) 4, 1.8hrs -Lighting plant - Train loading 21.00hrs to 21:30hrs Prevailing Weather Conditions The following atmospheric conditions were noted during this evening survey: Location Measurement (hrs) Table 5.1.2: Night Weather Conditions Temp. O C Weather Parameter Cloud Cover Wind Speed (ms -1 ) Wind Direction (deg.) Rainfall (mm) Hope 22:18 7 0/ AAS1 22:54 6 0/ AAS1 23:14 6 0/ REF 23:41 6 0/ N2 00:06 6 0/ N2 00:23 6 0/ Hope 01:01 6 0/ AS3 01:01 6 0/ AS3 02:40 5 0/ Noise measurements were conducted at AAS1 Lyall as this is now the closest non-mine owned residence in the vicinity of N1. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

102 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 15 of 31 Table 5.3.3: Night time Noise Survey Results, 17 th 18 th July 2008 Location Measurement Description Primary Noise Descriptor Description of Noise Source and Typical Maximum Levels Lmax Hope 22:18hrs AAS1 Lyall 22:54hrs AAS1 Lyall 23:14hrs REF 23:41hrs N2 S Doherty 00:06hrs N2 S Doherty 00:23hrs Hope 01:01hrs AS3 Jensen 01:01hrs AS3 Jensen 02:40hrs Leq L 1 L 10 L 90 Vehicle (55), Wind On Microphone (33-37), Wind in Foliage (35-37), Car Horn (36), Ambient Birds (28-36), Haul Truck (30-36), Aircraft (35), Insects/Frogs (31-33), Duck Quack (30-32), Mine Hum (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: 31L eq Mine operations audible Ambient Dogs (56-62), Haul Truck (<35-42), Insects/Frogs (36-39), Mine Measured Contribution: <35L eq Mine operations faintly audible Ambient Birds (62-63), Dogs (40-61), Insects/Frogs (34-39), Horn (36), Haul Trucks (33-35), Mine Hum (<32) Mine Measured Contribution: <35L eq Mine operations audible Ambient Dozer Tracks (50-60), Haul Truck (45-55), Bucket Bangs (47-52), Excavator (40-50), Excavator Horn (47-48), Duck Quack (43-47), Insects/Frogs (38-41) Mine Measured Contribution: 49L eq Mine operations clearly audible Ambient Vehicle (50-53), Insects/Frogs (31-37), Cattle (27-33), Dozer Trucks (27-28), Mine Hum (<30), Haul Truck (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations audible Ambient Birds (37), Aircraft (33-37), Insects/Frogs (26-34), Haul Trucks (<30-34), Mine Hum (<30), Horn (<30), Dozer (<30) Mine Measured Contribution: <30L eq Mine operations audible Ambient Birds (40-48), Insects/Frogs (28-33), Aircraft (30-31), Cattle (27-29), Dogs (26), Mine Hum (<25), Dozer Tracks (<25) Mine Measured Contribution: <25L eq Mine operations audible Ambient Falling Stick (55), Cattle (38), Birds (33-36), Insects/Frogs (24-28), Aircraft (23-27) Mine Measured Contribution: Nil Mine operations not audible Ambient Dogs (35/42), Wind in Foliage (30-37), Insects/Frogs (26-29), Mine Measured Contribution: Nil Mine operations not audible Noise Impact Assessment - Night Based on the operator attended night-time survey on 17 th 18 th July 2008, the Mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were inaudible at AS3 Jensen; <35 at AAS1 Lyall; <30 at N2 Doherty; and 31 & <25 at Hope. Weather conditions consisted of light north-north-westerly breezes blowing from the mine towards AAS1 and away from N3. Sigma-theta data indicated a strong temperature inversion, therefore significant enhancement due to temperature gradient was observed although at all locations mine noise was recorded to be below the relevant criteria. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

103 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 16 of COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT DCM operation L eq (15 minute) noise emissions during the attended noise-monitoring period, under the prevailing weather conditions were as follows: Table Received Noise Noise Monitoring Locations - under prevailing weather conditions Daytime Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Monitoring Locations AAS1 Lyall Nil 35 0 N2 S Doherty < AS3 Jensen Nil 35 0 Hope < Excursion As shown in Table 5.4.1, the required daytime noise level (criteria) was not exceeded on any occasion during the survey. Table Received Noise Noise Monitoring Locations under prevailing weather conditions Evening time Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Monitoring Locations AAS1 Lyall * N2 S Doherty < AS3 Jensen Excursion As shown in Table 5.4.2, the required evening-time noise level (criteria) was exceeded at one occasion at AAS1 during the evening survey, however a significant temperature inversion was present at the time. Table Received Noise Noise Monitoring Locations under prevailing weather conditions Night time Sound Pressure Level L eq Noise Criteria L eq Monitoring Locations AAS1 Lyall <35, < , 0 N2 S Doherty <30, < , 0 AS3 Jensen Nil, Nil 35 0, 0 Hope 31, < , 0 Excursion As shown in Table 5.4.2, the required evening-time noise level (criteria) was not exceeded at any occasion during the nighttime survey. 6. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION An Environmental Compliance Noise Monitoring Survey has been carried out in the rural environment surrounding the Duralie Coal Mine Site, Duralie Road, NSW. The survey was requested by to ascertain the degree of compliance of noise emissions generated from the operation of Duralie Coal Mine with licence and consent conditions. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

104 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 17 of 31 Day received mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were not audible at AAS1 Lyall & AS3 Jensen, <35 at N2 S. Doherty, and <30 at the additional location Hope in the prevailing weather conditions, being light to moderate winds from the west during the survey. Evening received mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were 30 at AS3, 40 at AAS1 and <30 at N2 S Doherty in the prevailing weather conditions, being light north-north-westerly winds throughout the period. Night-time received mine L Aeq (15 minute) noise emissions were inaudible at AS3 Jensen; <35 at AAS1 Lyall; <30 at N2 Doherty; and 31 & <25 at Hope. Weather conditions consisted of light north-north-westerly breezes blowing from the mine towards AAS1 and away from N3. Sigma-theta data indicated a strong temperature inversion during the evening survey, therefore significant enhancement due to temperature gradient was observed. Consequently, the 40dB mine contribution at AAS1 Lyall during the evening survey can be attributed to the strong temperature inversion (greater than 3 o C/100m) at the time. As stated in the conditions of consent Schedule 3 note c), the 35 criteria applies for Temperature inversion conditions of up to 3 o C/100m, and wind speeds of up to 2 m/s at 10 metres above ground level therefore the criteria does not apply in this case. Mine operating noise emissions were at or below the 35 noise criteria at all monitoring locations during the July 2008 Environmental Noise Level Survey except the one instance at AAS1 Lyall where noise from the mine was enhanced due to the effects of temperature inversion. The nominated monitoring locations represent the closest residences to the mine so that further located properties will receive mine noise levels somewhat lower than those measured, due to distance attenuation under stable atmospheric conditions. Under the prevailing weather conditions and based on the attended monitoring results it is concluded that mine noise emissions did not breach the 35 criteria at any nearby residence during the 17 th 18 th July 2008 survey. Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

105 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 18 of 31 Date (Hrs) APPENDIX A: WEATHER CONDITIONS Air Temperature ( o C) Wind Direction ( o Angle) Sigma ( o Angle) Wind Speed (m/s) Rain (mm) 17/07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : Note: only hourly data available Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

106 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 19 of 31 Date (Hrs) Weather conditions (cont..) Air Temperature ( o C) Wind Direction ( o Angle) Sigma ( o Angle) Wind Speed (m/s) Rain (mm) 18/07/2008 0: /07/2008 0: /07/2008 0: /07/2008 0: /07/2008 1: /07/2008 1: /07/2008 1: /07/2008 1: /07/2008 2: /07/2008 2: /07/2008 2: /07/2008 2: /07/2008 3: /07/2008 3: /07/2008 3: /07/2008 3: /07/2008 4: /07/2008 4: /07/2008 4: /07/2008 4: /07/2008 5: /07/2008 5: /07/2008 5: /07/2008 5: /07/2008 6: /07/2008 6: /07/2008 6: /07/2008 6: /07/2008 7: /07/2008 7: /07/2008 7: /07/2008 7: /07/2008 8: /07/2008 8: /07/2008 8: /07/2008 8: /07/2008 9: /07/2008 9: /07/2008 9: /07/2008 9: /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : /07/ : Note: only hourly data available Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

107 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 20 of 31 Noise Survey Wind Speed 12 Noon 17/07/08 to 12 Noon 18/07/ m/s :00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 0:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 0:00 Wind Rose - 12 Noon 17/07/08 to 12 Noon 18/07/08 Dominant Wind Direction WNW W NNW NW 40 N NNE 30 NE 20 ENE 10 0 E WSW SW SSW S SE SSE ESE Number in Class Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008

108 Report No. 29N TRP Compliance Noise Survey & Assessment Page 21 of 31 APPENDIX B: LOCALITY MAP & SURVEY LOCATIONS Vipac Ref:29N Commercial_In_Confidence 4 September 2008