ACID SULFATE SOILS BENEFICIAL REUSE ACID SULFATE SOILS BENEFICIAL REUSE. Eco Earth Resources Pty Ltd. 0 P a g e

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1 ACID SULFATE SOILS BENEFICIAL REUSE Eco Earth Resources Pty Ltd 0 P a g e

2 Contents Title and Executive Summary... 2 Introduction... 2 Acid Sulfate Soils... 2 Acid Sulfate Soils Beneficial Reuse... 2 Site Activity... 3 Conclusion... 3 Testimonials... 4 Appendix 1 Letter from EHP... 5 Appendix 2 Site Location and Layout... 6 Contact Details P a g e

3 Title and Executive Summary ACID SULFATE SOILS BENEFICIAL REUSE Introduction Eco Earth Resources Pty Ltd is a specialised resource re-use Company established in The family run facility located in Jacobs Well operates on a 15-hectare ex-sand mining lagoon and is licenced to carry out a number of activities involving the reuse of waste materials. Eco Earth still maintains the existing sand extraction licence but has expanded the scope of activities to now include: remediation of the previous mined lagoon; crushing and screening; the re-use of concrete washout; the re-use of acid sulfate materials; and the re-use of drillers waters. The company s growth over the last decade has been the result of increased demand in the local Gold Coast and South East Brisbane region for a facility which offers environmentally friendly beneficial re-use options for waste materials from the construction and building industries. Eco Earth Resources has industry experienced personnel in key roles overseeing compliance; workplace health and safety; environmental impact and site management to ensure that the companies objectives are achieved. Eco Earth Resources is in the process of expanding its operations still further as the requirements of their growing client base and industry evolve. `We value each and every customer and it is our goal to build and maintain strong and ongoing relationships while offering optimum customer service and satisfaction. Acid Sulfate Soils Acid Sulfate Soils is the common name given to soils containing iron sulphides. Iron sulphide layers are formed under tidal conditions, so are found in low-lying areas near the coast. The acid produced by oxidisation of iron sulphides affects both soil and water, and can damage the environment severely. When exposed to air due to drainage or disturbance, these soils produce sulfuric acid. As sulfuric acid moves through the soil, it strips iron, aluminium and sometimes manganese from the soil. In some cases, it also dissolves heavy metals such as cadmium; it can also cause diseases in fish resulting from acid and aluminium released by the mobile acid in coastal waters. Occurrence of Acid Sulfate Soils occurs predominately on coastal lowlands with elevations generally below +5m AHD (Australian Height Datum) but more likely below +2.5m AHD. Generally, acid sulfate potential is confined to sediment deposits during the last phase of sea level rise (Holocene geology approximately 10,000 years ago). The acid sulfate soils overlay map for the Gold Coast City Plan version 2 can be located on the Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) website link below: Acid Sulfate Soils Beneficial Reuse Eco Earth Resources facility in Jacobs Well is a licenced dredging and sand mining operation and past sand extraction has resulted in the creation of a large lagoon. Part of the operations aim is the remediation of this `dredge pond which is included in the sites current approval EPPR The materials proposed to be used for are clean fill (not from contaminated land projects) and acid sulfate soil materials (ASS) from excavation developments <5mAHD with lime treated ASS being the primary source for filling the dredge pond. 2 P a g e

4 All materials accepted on site will need to conform to State Planning Policy (SPP) SPP2/02 requirements before placement. Eco Earth Resources have an approved Acid Sulfate Soils Management Plan (ASSMP) which will ensure that the earthen materials are `safe and will not cause any environmental harm. Eco Earth Resources has a letter from the Department of Environmental Heritage and Protection (EHP) verifying their approval to accept ASS materials. A copy of this letter be found in Appendix 1. Site Activity Eco Earth Resources has a designated area on-site to cater for the disposal of acid sulfate soils separate from the businesses other operations which can be seen in Appendix 2. The acceptance of the acid sulfate soils, monitoring, recording and reporting is undertaken as per EHP guidelines and in compliance with all existing EA approvals. The soil materials delivered on-site must be from a nominated site which has a current approved ASSMP formulated according to: QASSIT Guidelines (Ahern, Powell, 1998), Soil Management Guidelines (Queensland Acid Sulfate Technical Manual, Dear SE, et al (2002) EPA instructions, and State Planning Policy (Acid Sulfate Soils) SPP2/02. Eco Earth Resources requires that the following be supplied for all ASS materials prior to being delivered on-site: 1. For pre-treated ASS a copy of the project ASSMP and laboratory reports; 2. For pre-treated ASS a copy of Audit ASS laboratory test samples after lime treatment confirming the ASS material contain the required `Safety Factor of 1.5 for the treated ASS soils; 3. For on-site treatment a copy of Audit ASS laboratory test samples so the appropriate lime rate is applied at the facility; 4. For each load / day Audit sample be taken and stores by Eco earth Resources for 30 days. The site audit samples should be extracted into jars (excluding as much as possible) and immediately put into cool storage. The safeguards put in place by the sites approved ASSMP ensure that the potential for any environmental harm to occur during the project is significantly reduced (a copy of the ASSMP is kept on-site and made readily available). One of the prescribed options for disposal according to `Dear was low / no risk strategic reburial of ASS. This makes Eco Earth Resources facility a desirable solution for ASS material disposal used to fill the dredge pond. Conclusion Eco Earth Resources is committed to playing a part in the reduction of waste resources being deposited in state landfills and associated disposal sites. The business provides a service for the reuse of multiple products from the one facility while generating zero waste in operation. All byproducts unable to be re-used on-site are transported off-site to the appropriate recycling facility capable of processing that particular product. 3 P a g e

5 Eco Earth Resources accepts drillers waters; concrete wash out; acid sulfate soil materials; clean fill materials; concrete of all sizes and green waste as required. Through on-site crushing and screening the following products are produced and available for transportation: recycled concrete aggregate: 1. 75mm-150mm 2. 40mm-75mm 3. 25mm-40mm 4. 15mm-25mm mm screened sand; screened topsoil. Eco Earth Resources has all the appropriate licences and permits for all of its business activities and these are made readily available on request. Eco Earth Resources is aware of the level of illegal activity in the region with the disposal of contaminated materials at unlicensed facilities or private properties and does not condone the actions of those involved. Eco Earth Resources offers a cost effective environmentally friendly solution for the re-use these materials. Testimonials 4 P a g e

6 Appendix 1 Letter from EHP 5 P a g e

Appendix 2 Site Location and Layout 111111 Location of

GPS coordinated to entrance gate: -27.772241, 153.

7 Appendix 2 Site Location and Layout Location of site from M1 motorway. GPS coordinated to entrance gate: , = acid sulfate disposal area Location of acid sulfate disposal area on-site. 6 P a g e

8 Contact Details Address: 1732 Stapylton Jacobs Well Rd, Jacobs Well, QLD Stephen Ledingham: Mobile: Web: 7 P a g e

General Information Required to Assist Assessment of Development Proposals Involving Acid Sulfate Soils (Version 4, June 2004)

General Information Required to Assist Assessment of Development Proposals Involving Acid Sulfate Soils (Version 4, June 2004) Purpose This document contains information required by officers of the Department