Dubbo Zirconia Project Environmental Impact Statement

Transcription

1 x Environmental Impact Statement Development Application SSD 5251 September 2013 Prepared by: R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED

2 Photo 1* Photo 2* Photo 3* Photo 4 # Photo 5* Photo 6* Source: Description of Photos (DZP) Demonstration Pilot Plant at ANSTO Minerals, Lucas Heights. Wambangalang Creek and railway bridge. Electromagnetic survey of soils. Toongi Hall and tennis courts. Toongi ore body bulk sample operation. Toongi Valley rural scene. * Australian Zirconia Ltd # R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited Ref: E545B_002

3 Environmental Impact Statement Prepared for: Australian Zirconia Ltd ACN: Burswood Road BURSWOOD WA 6100 PO Box 4384 VICTORIA PARK WA 6979 Telephone: (08) Facsimile: (08) Prepared by: R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty. Limited Geological & Environmental Consultants ABN: Brooklyn Office: 1st Floor, 12 Dangar Road PO Box 239 BROOKLYN NSW 2083 Telephone: (02) Facsimile: (02) Website: Orange Office: 62 Hill Street ORANGE NSW 2800 Telephone: (02) Facsimile: (02) Brisbane Office: Suite 5, Building 3, Pine Rivers Office Park 205 Leitchs Road BRENDALE QLD 4500 Telephone: (07) Ref No. 545/04 September 2013

4 AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Copyright This Copyright is included for the protection of this document COPYRIGHT R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited 2013 and Australian Zirconia Ltd 2013 All intellectual property and copyright reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, 1968, no part of this report may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system or adapted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without written permission. Enquiries should be addressed to R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited. ii

5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Author s Certification AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Author s Certification for the submission of an Environmental Impact Statement prepared in accordance with Schedule 2, Part 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (a) EA prepared by: name: qualifications: address: Alex Luke Irwin B.Sc. (Hons) 62 Hill Street ORANGE NSW 2800 (b) Development application by: applicant name: applicant address: (c) Application Number: SSD 5251 Australian Zirconia Limited 65 Burswood Road BURSWOOD WA 6100 (d) Address/land details: Area of Activities DZP Site Macquarie River Water Pipeline Land Title Reference Part Lot 311 DP595631, Lot 271 DP593668, Part Lot 35 DP753220, Part Lot 1 DP133581, Part Lot 18 DP753252, Lot A & B DP439352, Lot 19 DP , Part Lot A DP391069, Lot 55 DP , Lot B DP , Lot X DP , Lot 211 DP595631, Lot 1 DP818802, Lot 50 DP , Lot 7300 DP (Licensed for grazing), Unformed Paper Road (Crown Land) separating Lot 311 DP55631 and Lots A & B DP439352, Unformed Paper Road (Dubbo City Council) separating Lot 1 DP and Lot 7300 DP Lot 311 DP595631, Lot 27 DP753220, Lot DP753220, Lot 30 DP753220, Lot 1-4 DP753226, Various public road reserves (e) Project Outline: The would comprise a small scale open cut mine supplying ore containing rare metals and rare earth elements to a processing plant near the village of Toongi, approximately 25km south of Dubbo. The location of the proposed open cut, processing plant and associated facilities for the management of waste generated by these activities is collectively referred to as the DZP Site and comprises an area of 2 507ha. Total disturbance associated with the proposal is approximately 808ha, only 71ha of which (<8%) occurs on remnant native vegetation (a further 414ha occurs over derived grasslands which are rotationally cropped). An area of 1 021ha has been set-aside for the establishment of a Biodiversity Offset Area to compensate for the disturbance to remnant vegetation and threatened biota. Annual ore production would be approximately one million tonnes per year which would generate approximately t of products for a period of 20 years. iii

6 AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Author s Certification (f) Assessment of Environmental Impact: The proposal would also involve establishment of infrastructure external to the DZP Site in the form of a water pipeline to the Macquarie River, rail line upgrade between Toongi and Dubbo, gas pipeline installation within the rail corridor and road upgrades of Obley and Toongi Roads (between the DZP Site and the Newell Highway). The assessment of environmental impacts of this project includes the matters referred to in the Director-General s Requirements provided to the Applicant on 4 May 2012, and supplementary Director-General s Requirements provided to the Applicant on 1 March 2013, under Schedule 2, Part 2 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation (g) Declaration: I, Alex Luke Irwin, hereby declare that I have overseen the preparation of the contents of this assessment and to the best of my knowledge: it has addressed the Director-General s Requirements as provided by the Department on 4 May 2012 and 1 March 2013; the assessment contains all available information that is relevant to the environmental assessment of the project; and the information contained in this document is neither false nor misleading. iv

7 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... ES-1 SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION SCOPE FORMAT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT THE APPLICANT AND THE APPLICATION AREA The Applicant The Application Area Existing Mineral Authorities BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSAL GEOLOGICAL SETTING Regional Setting DZP Site Geology Resources PRODUCTS AND THE NEED FOR THE PROPOSAL MANAGEMENT OF INVESTIGATIONS SECTION 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL INTRODUCTION Project Objectives Project Overview Component Areas DZP Site Toongi-Dubbo Rail and Natural Gas Pipeline Corridor Macquarie River Water Pipeline Corridor Public Road Network Approvals Required Geurie Limestone Quarry DZP SITE AND EXTERNAL INFRASTRUCTURE ESTABLISHMENT Introduction Macquarie River Water Pipeline Water Supply Pipeline Pumping Infrastructure Natural Gas Pipeline Toongi-Dubbo Rail Line and Rail Infrastructure Introduction Rail Line Classification, Design and Construction Rail Bridges Level Crossings Rail Signalling / Interface AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Public Road Network Introduction Obley Road Toongi Road DZP Site Entrance and Access Road Electricity Transmission Line Infrastructure Site Establishment and Development Sequence DZP SITE PREPARATION Introduction Vegetation Clearing Vegetation Type Larger Vegetation (Timber) Clearing and Management Groundcover Clearing and Management Soil Stripping Introduction Soil Units, Stripping Depths and Inventory Soil Stripping Procedures Soil Stockpile Management Pink-tailed Worm-lizard Habitat Management MINING OPERATIONS Introduction Open Cut Design Mining Method Introduction Grade Control Drilling Drill and Blast Operations Load and Haul Operations Mining Rate and Sequence Mining Equipment WASTE ROCK MANAGEMENT Introduction Waste Rock Characteristics Composition Acid Rock Drainage Waste Rock Emplacement Design Waste Rock Emplacement Procedures PROCESSING OPERATIONS Introduction Processing Plant and DZP Site Administration Area Layout Process Description Overview v

8 AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD 2.7 REAGENT AND PRODUCT MANAGEMENT Introduction Sulphur Sulphuric Acid Limestone Quick Lime Caustic Soda Soda Ash Hydrochloric Acid Salt Anhydrous Ammonia Aluminium Powder Other Export Products WATER REQUIREMENTS, SUPPLY AND SECURITY Water Requirements Water Supply and Security RESIDUE MANAGEMENT Introduction Solid Residue Management Sources Solid Residue Characteristics and Volume Solid Residue Neutralisation and Disposal Design of the Solid Residue Storage Facility Site Selection (Hydrological and Geotechnical Considerations) Construction of the Solid Residue Facility Operation of the Solid Residue Storage Facility Liquid Residue Management Sources, Characteristics and Volume Liquid Residue Storage Facility Design and Construction Construction of the Liquid Residue Storage Facility Operation of the Liquid Residue Storage Facility ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Monitoring Liquid Residue Storage Facility Operations Closure of the Liquid Residue Storage Facility Accumulated Salt Management Characteristics and Volume Salt Encapsulation Cell Design Construction of the Salt Encapsulation Cell Operation of the Salt Encapsulation Cell Management of Water Salt Encapsulation Cell Closure AIR EMISSIONS MANAGEMENT Introduction Categories of Emissions Point Source Emission and Management Fugitive Emission Sources and Management Radiation Emissions WASTE MANAGEMENT Production Waste Other Waste TRANSPORTATION Overview Internal Transportation Site Access Haul Road Network Light Vehicle Road Network Separation of Mine and Non-Mine Traffic Rail Transportation Overview Rail Movements Unloading/Loading Operations Infrastructure Maintenance Road Transportation Site Access Proposed Upgrade to Public Roads Traffic Types and Levels FACILITIES AND SERVICES Facilities Services Electricity Supply Communications vi

9 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Hydrocarbons Potable Water Operational Water Sewage and Waste Water HOURS OF OPERATION AND PROJECT LIFE Hours of Operation and Workforce Rosters Project Life (This Application) Future Project Life EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION Site Establishment and Construction Operations Economic Contributions SAFETY AND SECURITY Public and Employee Safety (DZP Site) Public Safety (Toongi-Dubbo Rail Line) Explosive Storage SITE DECOMMISSIONING, REHABILITATION AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT Introduction Rehabilitation Objectives Strategic Rehabilitation Management Rehabilitation Domains Rehabilitation Hierarchy Strategic Rehabilitation Completion Criteria, Associated Performance Indicators and Monitoring Strategy Final Landform Final Land Use Rehabilitation Methods and Procedures Introduction Decommissioning Activities Domain 2 Surface Water Management Structures Domain 3 Waste Rock Emplacement Domain 4 Liquid Residue Storage Facility AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Domain 5 Solid Residue Storage Facilities Domain 6 Final Void Area Indicative DZP Site Revegetation Strategy Rehabilitation Management and Monitoring Biodiversity Offset Strategy Introduction Biodiversity Offset Requirements Summary of Impacts Proposed Biodiversity Offset Integrated Land Management Strategies SECTION 3 CONSULTATION, ISSUE IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITISATION INTRODUCTION CONSULTATION Community Consultation Introduction Community Information Session November Community Information Session May Community Information Session July Community Newsletters Targeted Community Consultation Aboriginal Community Consultation Government Agency Consultation Introduction Conceptual Project Development Plan Meeting and Other Agencies Briefing Planning Focus Meeting Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Other Government Consultation vii

10 AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD 3.3 REVIEW OF PLANNING LEGISLATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES Introduction State Planning Instruments State Environmental Planning Policy (State and Regional Development) State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) State Environmental Planning Policy (Rural Lands) State Environmental Planning Policy No. 33 Hazardous and Offensive Development State Environmental Planning Policy No. 44 Koala Habitat Protection State Environmental Planning Policy No. 55 Remediation of Land Regional Planning Instruments and Strategies Strategic Regional Land Use Policy Central West Catchment Management Authority Catchment Action Plan Draft NSW Freight and Ports Strategy Local Planning Instruments and Strategies Local Environment Plan Dubbo Economic Development Strategy Environmental Guidelines IDENTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISK AND ISSUE PRIORITISATION Introduction Analysis of Environmental Risk Issue Prioritisation ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SECTION 4 ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF KEY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES BACKGROUND Introduction Topography and Drainage Regional Topography and Drainage Local Topography and Drainage DZP Site Topography and Drainage Climate Introduction and Data Sources Temperature and Humidity Rainfall Evaporation Wind Speed and Direction Temperature Inversions Surrounding Land Ownership and Residences Land Ownership Residences and Sensitive Receptors Land Use and Local Setting NOISE AND VIBRATION Introduction Existing Environment Introduction Unattended Noise Monitoring Attended Noise Monitoring Rating Noise Background Level Potential Noise and Vibration Impacts Assessment Criteria Introduction Operational Noise Assessment Criteria Low Frequency Noise Criteria Sleep Disturbance Criteria Construction Noise Criteria Road Traffic Noise Assessment Criteria Rail Noise Assessment Criteria Blasting Criteria Vibration Criteria viii

11 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Assessment Methodology Introduction Operational Noise Modelling Construction Noise Emissions Road Traffic Noise Emissions Rail Noise and Vibration Emissions Blasting Emissions Management and Mitigation Measures Introduction Construction Noise Mitigation Operational Noise Mitigation Maximum Noise Level (Sleep Disturbance) Mitigation Measures Blasting and Vibration Mitigation Measures Management Plans Blasting and Vibration Assessment of Impacts Construction Noise Operational Noise Low Frequency Noise Sleep Disturbance Noise Road Traffic Noise Rail Noise and Vibration Blasting Emissions Taronga Western Plains Zoo Monitoring AIR QUALITY Introduction Potential Sources of Air Contaminants Particulate Matter and Dust Deposition Oxides of Nitrogen, Sulphur Dioxide and Hydrogen Chloride Radon Greenhouse Gas Emissions Odour Existing Environment Introduction Deposited Dust Particulate Matter Other Air Quality Parameters Summary of Air Quality Parameters Greenhouse Gases AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Assessment Criteria Particulate Matter and Dust Deposition Gaseous Air Quality Parameters Assessment Criteria Odour Assessment Methodology Modelling Methodology Particulate Matter Emissions Radon Other Air Quality Parameters Odour Emissions Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management and Mitigation Measures Introduction Dust Management Site Establishment Stage Dust Management - Operations Processing Plant Controls Greenhouse Gas Assessment of Impacts Introduction Annual Average TSP, PM 10, PM 2.5 and Dust Deposition Incremental 24-hour Average PM 10 and PM Cumulative 24-hour Average PM SO 2 Emissions NO 2 Emissions HCl Emissions Radon Odour Greenhouse Gas Emissions Monitoring RADIATION Introduction Background to Radiation Existing Environment Background Radiation Monitoring Gamma Radiation Radionuclide Levels in Airborne Dust Radionuclide Concentrations in Water ix

12 AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Potential Impacts Assessment Criteria Assessment Methodology Overview Occupational Doses Public and Environmental Radiological Impacts Management and Mitigation Measures Assessment of Impacts Introduction Occupational Doses Public Dose Assessment Non-Human Biota Exposure Public Dose Following Closure Summary Monitoring SURFACE WATER Introduction Existing Environment Introduction Existing Flooding Regime Surface Water Quality Surrounding Water Users and Availability Potential Surface Water Impacts Management and Mitigation Measures Introduction Surface Water Management Plan Harvestable Rights Site Water Balance Decommissioning and Final Landform Water Management Additional Management Measures Assessment of Impacts Introduction Surface Water Flow Volumes Surface Water Flow Rate Water Quality Sediment and Erosion Control Downstream Water Users Flooding Waste Water Management ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Monitoring and Contingency Management Surface Water Quality Monitoring Contingency Management GROUNDWATER Introduction Existing Environment Local Hydrogeological Setting DZP Conceptual Site Model Assessment Methodology Potential Impacts on Groundwater and Proposed Management and Mitigation Measures Introduction Potential Physical Impacts During Operations and Post Closure Potential Chemical Impacts during Operations and Post Closure Potential Impacts on Groundwater Availability Potential Impacts on Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Potential Impacts on Dryland Salinity Assessment of Impacts Risk-based Assessment of Impacts Low or Moderate Risk Sources High Risk Sources Altered Groundwater Flows due to Enhanced Recharge via the Open Cut Land Salinization Conclusion Groundwater Management Plan Aims Groundwater Management Groundwater Monitoring Program TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY Introduction Regional Setting Central West Catchment Local Setting x

13 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Assessment Methodology Desktop Survey Field Survey Identified Flora and Fauna Flora Fauna Subject Species and Communities Management and Mitigations Measures Introduction Avoidance of Impacts Minimisation of Impacts Mitigation of Impacts Offsetting of Impacts Assessment of Residual Impacts Introduction Biodiversity Offset Strategy Clearing of Native Vegetation Impacts on Habitat Corridors Key Threatening Processes Critical Habitat Impacts on Threatened Species, Populations and Communities Other Indirect Impacts on Biodiversity AQUATIC ECOLOGY Introduction Local Setting Aquatic Ecology Survey Introduction Literature Review and Consultation Classification of Watercourses Preliminary Assessment and Site Selection Field Survey Survey Results Desktop Survey Strahler Stream Order and Waterway Classification Aquatic Habitat Aquatic Fauna Potential Impacts on Aquatic Ecology, Mitigation and Management Introduction Alteration of Natural Surface Flows AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Obstruction of Fish Passage due to Instream Structures Removal and Disturbance of Riparian Vegetation Mobilisation of Sediment During Construction Changes in Water Quality Water Extraction Disturbance of Freshwater Eel-tailed Catfish Habitat at Toongi Removal and Disturbance to an Endangered Ecological Community Assessment of Residual Impacts Introduction General Impact Assessment Aquatic Ecology of Conservation Significance Monitoring ABORIGINAL HERITAGE Introduction Aboriginal Heritage Study Area Assessment Methodology Consultation and Community Involvement Consultation Aboriginal Community Involvement Background Research and Literature Review Regional Archaeological Context Local Archaeological Context Local Archaeological Record Predictive Model Field Survey Methodology and Results Methodology Survey Results Potential Impacts Management and Mitigation Measures Introduction Avoid Impact Minimise Impact Mitigate / Manage Impacts xi

14 AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Cultural Heritage Management General Assessment of Residual Impacts Assessment of Study Area Impacts Impact Assessment in a Regional Context Conclusion HISTORIC HERITAGE Introduction Assessment Methodology Historic Context and Background Research Historic Heritage Study Area Regional Context Local Context Background Research Field Survey Methodology and Results Survey Methodology Survey Results and Significance Assessment Management and Mitigation Measures Assessment of Residual Impacts Residual Impacts Significance of Identified Historic Sites and Items Assessment of Regional Historical Context Assessment of Local Historical Context Conclusion SOILS AND LAND CAPABILITY Introduction Existing Environment Regional Soil Environment Assessment Methodology Survey Area Soils Soil Stripping Suitability Land and Soil Capability Management and Mitigation Measures Assessment of Impacts Soils Land and Soil Capability Agricultural Suitability ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 4.12 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION Introduction Existing Environment Introduction Local Roads Intersections Railway Level Crossings Traffic Levels Accident Statistics Changes to Traffic Levels Resultant from the Proposal Construction Traffic Operational Traffic Mitigation and Management Measures Impact Assessment SIDRA Analysis Obley Road Toongi Road Newell Highway Yarrandale Road Boothenba Road Rail Level Crossings Other Road Users VISUAL AMENITY Introduction Existing Visual Amenity Management and Mitigation Measures Assessment of Impacts DZP Site Macquarie River Water Pipeline Route Toongi-Dubbo Rail Line HAZARDS Introduction Reagent and Product Management Potential Hazards Safeguards and Controls Assessment of Impact Bush Fire Hazard Introduction Bush Fire Management Objectives Existing Bush Fire Hazard Bush Fire Classification Safeguards and Controls Assessment of Impacts xii

15 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Traffic Incident Potential Incident(s) Safeguards and Hazard Reduction Strategies Assessment of Impacts Land Contamination Introduction Methodology Results SOCIO-ECONOMIC SETTING Introduction Existing Socio Economic Setting Overview Dubbo Toongi (Obley District) The DZP Site Management and Mitigation Measures Assessment of Economic Impacts Introduction Employment Regional Value of Output Impact on Adjacent Activities Public Sector Revenues Adverse Economic Impacts Assessment of Social Impacts Introduction Transport Demand for Infrastructure Demand for Services Amenity Values Land Use Cumulative Impacts Conclusion SECTION 5 DRAFT STATEMENT OF COMMITMENTS SECTION 6 PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND CONCLUSIONS ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED Introduction Processing Operations and Production Level Water Use Alternative Open Cut Design and Sequence Disposal of Salt Surface Infrastructure Locations and Design Transport Operations AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD 6.2 EVALUATION OF THE PROPOSAL Residual Environmental Risk and Impacts Ecologically Sustainable Development Introduction The Precautionary Principle Social Equity Conservation of Biological Diversity and Ecological Integrity Improved Valuation and Pricing of Environmental resources Conclusion JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROPOSAL Introduction Biophysical Considerations Introduction Noise Air Quality and Radiation Surface Water Resources Groundwater Resources Biodiversity Cultural Heritage Transport Socio-Economic Considerations Planning Considerations Introduction Permissibility State Environmental Planning Policy (State and Regional Development) State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) State Environmental Planning Policy No. 33 Hazardous and Offensive Development (SEPP 33) State Environmental Planning Policy No. 44 Koala Habitat Protection (SEPP 44) State Environmental Planning Policy No. 55 Remediation of Land xiii

16 AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Consequences of not Proceeding with the Proposal CONCLUSION SECTION 7 GLOSSARY OF TERMS, ACRONYMS AND SYMBOLS SECTION 8 REFERENCES APPENDICES (Separate Volume) Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5 Appendix 6 Appendix 7 Appendix 8 State Significant Development Application... A1-1 Director-General s Requirements Issued 4 May 2012 and Supplementary Director-General s Requirements Issued 1 March A2-1 Coverage of Director-General s Requirements and Additional Matters for Consideration in the EIS... A3-1 Preliminary Hazard Analysis (including a SEPP 33 Risk Screening)... A4-1 Water Pipeline Report Darling Irrigation... A5-1 Solid and Liquid Residue Management Concept Design Report... A6-1 Report on Water Availability, Purchasing and Potential Impacts... A7-1 Review of Groundwater Supply Prospects... A8-1 Appendix 9 Agricultural Impact Statement... A9-1 Appendix 10 Contamination Assessment... A10-1 Appendix 11 Material Safety Data Sheets for Products of the DZP... A11-1 FIGURES Figure 1.1 Locality Plan Figure 1.2 DZP Site and Macquarie River Water Pipeline Land Titles Figure 1.3 Existing Mineral Authorities Figure 1.4 DZP Site Bedrock Geology Figure 1.5 Figure 1.6 Exploration Over the Toongi Ore Body Cross-Sectional Illustration of the Toongi Ore Body Figure 2.1 Indicative DZP Site Layout Figure 2.2 Figure 2.3 Figure 2.4 Figure 2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Toongi Dubbo Rail Line and Gas Pipeline Corridor Macquarie River Water Pipeline and Pump Station Public Road Network and Proposed Roadworks DZP Site Electricity Transmission Line Options and Infrastructure Figure 2.6 Soil Landscape Units Figure 2.7 Indicative Mining Sequence Figure 2.8 Schematic Mining Method Figure 2.9 Figure 2.10 Processing Plant and DZP Site Administration Area Reagent Storage And Processing Plant Surfaces Figure 2.11 Process Flow Path Figure 2.12 Figure 2.13 Figure 2.14 Conceptual Design for the Solid Residue Storage Facility Cross-Sectional Design of the Liquid Residue Storage Facility Salt Encapsulation Cells (Conceptual Layout) and Cross- Section Figure 2.15 Transport Routes Figure 2.16 Conceptual Final Landform Figure 2.17 Final Landform Sections Figure 2.18 Conceptual Final Landform Processing Plant Area and DZP Site Administration Area Figure 2.19 Conceptual Final Landform Open Cut Waste Rock Emplacement, Solid Residue Storage Facility and Salt Encapsulation Cells Figure 2.20 Conceptual Final Landform Liquid Residue Storage Facility: Area Figure 2.21 Indicative Final Land Use Figure 2.22 Rehabilitation of the Waste Rock Emplacement Figure 2.23 Rehabilitation of the LRSF Figure 2.24 Rehabilitation of the SRSF Figure 2.25 Rehabilitation of the Salt Encapsulation Cells Figure 2.26 Biodiversity Offset Strategy - Vegetation Communities Figure 3.1 Local Electricity Infrastructure Figure 3.2 Strategic Agricultural Land Flowchart Process Figure 3.3 Land Zoning xiv

17 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Figure 4.1 Figure 4.2 Figure 4.3 Regional Topography and Drainage Local Topography and Drainage DZP Site Topography and Drainage Figure 4.4 Rolling 5-Year Rainfall Totals Figure 4.5 Figure 4.6 Annual and Seasonal Wind Roses for Toongi Meteorological Station (2008) Surrounding Land Ownership and Residences Figure 4.7 Local Setting and Land Uses Figure 4.8 DZP Site Setting and Land Uses Figure 4.9 Noise Sources Year Figure 4.10 Noise Sources Year Figure 4.11 Noise Sources Year Figure 4.12 Noise Contours Year Figure 4.13 Noise Contours Year Figure 4.14 Noise Contours Year Figure 4.15 Air Quality Monitoring Locations Figure 4.16 Figure 4.17 Figure 4.18 OEH 24-Hour PM 10 Monitoring Data Cumulative Annual Average Particulate Concentrations Year Maximum Incremental 24 hour Average Concentrations Year Figure 4.19 Cumulative 24-Hr PM 10 Concentration: Monte Carlo Simulation (Year 15) Figure 4.20 Cumulative SO 2 Concentrations Year Figure 4.21 Existing Flood Regime Figure 4.22 Figure 4.23 Figure 4.24 Figure 4.25 Indicative Surface Water Controls Indicative Processing Area Surface Water Controls Indicative Operation Area Surface Water Controls Liquid Residue Storage Facility Performance Figure 4.26 DZP Site Water Balance Figure 4.27 Surface Water Monitoring Locations Figure 4.28 Regional Groundwater Bores Figure 4.29 Figure 4.30 DZP Site Groundwater Monitoring Network Measured Monitoring Bore Standing Water Levels Figure 4.31 Figure 4.32 Figure 4.33 Figure 4.34 Figure 4.35 Figure 4.36 Figure 4.37 Figure 4.38 Figure 4.39 Figure 4.40 Figure 4.41 Figure 4.42 Figure 4.43 Figure 4.44 AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Interpolated Groundwater Level Contours Threatened Flora and Fauna Records DZP Site - Vegetation Communities Threatened Ecological Communities within the DZP Site Pink-tailed Worm-lizard Records and Habitat Recorded Threatened Fauna Species Aquatic Ecology Study Area and Survey Sites Previously Recorded Aboriginal Heritage Sites Recorded Aboriginal Heritage Sites of the DZP Site Recorded Aboriginal Heritage Sites of the Macquarie River Pipeline Recorded Aboriginal Heritage Sites of the Toongi-Dubbo Rail Line and Obley Road Recorded Historic Heritage Sites and Finds Soil Survey Area and Landscape Units Land Capability Mapping of the DZP Mine Site Figure 4.45 Existing Road Network Figure 4.46 Visibility Section Residence R22 220R Obley Road Figure 4.47 Indicative Visibility Section Residence R23 218R Obley Road Figure 4.48 Figure 4.49 Visibility Section Obley Road North of Residence R Visibility Section View from Obley Road South of Wambangalang Creek Crossing Figure 4.50 Individual Fatality Risk Figure 4.51 Toxic Injury Risk Figure 4.52 Toxic Irritation Risk Figure 4.53 Bush Fire Categories Figure 4.54 Vegetation Bush Fire Classification Figure 4.55 Local Setting Figure 4.56 Economic Structure of Dubbo Figure 4.57 Unemployment in Dubbo and the Surrounding Orana Region xv

18 AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Figure 4.58 Figure 4.59 TABLES Economic Structure Comparison (2006), Toongi and Obley Local Population Age Composition Table 1.1 Application Area Land Titles Table 1.2 Mineral Authorities Table 1.3 Regional Stratigraphy Table 1.4 DZP Resources Table 1.5 DZP Products and Uses Table 2.1 Indicative Topsoil Inventory Table 2.2 Indicative Subsoil Inventory Table 2.3 Indicative Blast Design Parameters Table 2.4 Indicative Mining Rate Table 2.5 Indicative Mining Fleet Table 2.6 Waste Rock Materials Table 2.7 Indicative Waste Rock Emplacement Design Features Table 2.8 Water Supply Strategy Table 2.9 Table 2.10 Table 2.11 Table 2.12 Table 2.13 Table 2.14 Table 2.15 Table 2.16 Table 2.17 Solid Residue Chemical Composition Radionuclide Activity in Process Streams Overall Deportment of Radionuclides from Ore Liquid Residue Chemical Composition Liquid Residue Storage Facility Areas Chemical Composition of the Residual Salt Predicted Point Source Emissions Obley Road Daily Truck Movements Estimated Daily Traffic Movements Table 2.18 Diesel Consumption Table 2.19 Proposed Hours of Operation Table 2.20 Table 2.21 Table 2.22 Table 2.23 Strategic Rehabilitation Completion Criteria, Associated Performance Indicators and Monitoring Strategy Indicative Rehabilitation Native Species List Summary Table - Existing Vegetation Ecosystem Credits Summary Table - Biodiversity Offset Area Ecosystem Credits Table 3.1 Table 3.2 Table 3.3 Table 3.4 Table 3.5 Table 3.6 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT November 2011 Community Information Session Key Issues Raised Toongi Agricultural Property Owners Consultation Issues Raised July 2012 Community Information Session Issues Raised Issues Raised by the Little River Landcare Group Application of SEPP (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) Qualitative Consequence Rating Table 3.7 Qualitative Likelihood Rating Table 3.8 Risk Rating Matrix Table 3.9 Table 3.10 Risk Sources and Potential Environmental Impacts Risk Sources and Potential Environmental Impacts Table 4.1 Climate Statistics Table 4.2 Table 4.3 Table 4.4 Historic Unattended Ambient Noise Environment Operator-attended Ambient Noise Survey Results Adopted Rating Background Levels Table 4.5 Amenity Criteria Table 4.6 Table 4.7 Proposal specific Noise Levels (PSNL) Criteria for Traffic Noise at Roadside Residences Table 4.8 Rail Noise Assessment Criteria Table 4.9 Table 4.10 Table 4.11 Table 4.12 Table 4.13 Table 4.14 Table 4.15 Table 4.16 Prevailing Meteorological Conditions Project-related Noise Levels for Scenario 1 (Year 1) Construction Noise Modelling Results Project-related Noise Levels for Scenario 1 (Year 1) Project-related Noise Levels for Scenario 2 (Year 5) Project-related Noise Levels for Scenario 3 (Year 15) Increased Lmax Noise Levels at Privately-owned Residences Existing and Potential Noise Increases Relating to DZP Rail Movements Newcastle to Dubbo xvi

19 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Table 4.17 Table 4.18 Table 4.19 Potential Noise Levels Relating to DZP Rail Movements Toongi to Dubbo Predicted Air Blast Overpressure and Vibration Levels at Privately-Owned Receptors TSP Monitoring Results for March 2001to February Table 4.20 Annual Average PM 10 Concentration for Rural NSW Table hour maximum SO 2 concentrations for Bargo Table 4.22 Table 4.23 Table 4.24 Table 4.25 Table 4.26 Table 4.27 Annual Average and 1-hour maximum NO 2 concentrations for Bargo Adopted Background Contributions Air Quality Standards/Criteria for Particulate Matter Concentrations EPA Criteria for Dust (Insoluble Solids) Deposition Air Quality Criteria for Gaseous Air Quality Parameters Odour Performance Criteria for the Assessment of Odour Table 4.28 Odour Testing Results Table 4.29 Annual Average TSP, PM 10, PM 2.5 and Dust Deposition Concentration Year 5 and Table 4.30 Table 4.31 Maximum 24-hour PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations Year 5 and Year Predicted Incremental and Cumulative SO 2 Emissions Table 4.32 Predicted NO 2 Emissions Table 4.33 Predicted Odour Impact Table 4.34 Summary of GHG Emissions Table 4.35 Radiation Exposures (in Addition to Natural Background Levels) Table 4.36 Background Gamma Monitoring Table 4.37 Table 4.38 High Volume Dust Sampling Results Radionuclides in Surface Water and Groundwater Table 4.39 Occupational Dose Estimates Table 4.40 Processing Plant Work Area Doses Table 4.41 Predicted Public Dose Table 4.42 Summary of Radiation Impacts for the Proposal Table 4.43 Table 4.44 Table 4.45 Table 4.46 Table 4.47 Table 4.48 AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Dose Assessment Monitoring Program (Indicative Only) Environmental Radiation Monitoring Program Proposed Sediment Basin Volumes Anticipated Time to Achieve Maximum Capacity Reduction in Annual Surface Water Flows During the Life of the Proposal Surface Water Quality Monitoring Frequency Table 4.49 Surface Water Trigger Values Table 4.50 Table 4.51 Registered Groundwater Bores within the DZP Site Risk Associated with Potential Impacts Table 4.52 Biological Database Searches Table 4.53 Biological Database Searches Table 4.54 Fish Habitat Classification in NSW Waterways Table 4.55 Fauna Survey Techniques Table 4.56 Table 4.57 Aquatic Biota and Other Features of Conservation Significance of the Central West CMA Strahler Stream Order and Waterway Classification for the Aquatic Ecology Study Area Table 4.58 Aquatic Habitat RCE Scores Table 4.59 Recorded Aquatic Fauna Table 4.60 Table 4.61 Estimated Loss of Surface Water Runoff Aboriginal Community Involvement in Field Surveys Table 4.62 Registered AHIMS Sites Table 4.63 Table 4.64 Table 4.65 Table 4.66 Table 4.67 Table 4.68 Recorded Aboriginal Heritage Sites Re-recorded AHIMS Registered Sites Potential Impacts and Significance of Aboriginal Sites Heritage Significance of Historic Sites and Items Summary of Soil Landscapes in the Soil Survey Area Land and Soil Capability Classes Table 4.69 Soil Stripping Suitability Table 4.70 Land Capability of the DZP Site to be Disturbed xvii

20 AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD Table 4.71 Table 4.72 Table 4.73 Table 4.74 Table 4.75 Table 4.76 Land and Soil Capability Class of the Rehabilitated Final Landform Range of Land and Soil Capability Classes over the Life of the Proposal Existing Pavement Obley Road Traffic Volumes (Newell Highway) Current and Forecast Traffic Volumes: Obley Road, Toongi Road, Boothenba Road and Yarrandale Road Traffic Volumes at Rail Crossings Table 4.77 Crash Data Table 4.78 Table 4.79 Table 4.80 Table 4.81 Worst Case Heavy Vehicle Scenario Based on Reagent Transport Options Forecast Background and Combined Traffic Volumes Modelled Future Traffic Conditions Peak Operation Predicted Queue Lengths at Rail Crossings Table 4.82 Hazardous Materials Table 4.83 Reagent Storage Table 4.84 Bush Fire Hazard Assessment Table 4.85 Table 5.1 Estimated Effects of Land Use Changes Draft Statement of Commitments Table 6.1 Risk Rating Matrix Table 6.2 Table 6.3 PLATES Risk Sources and Potential Environmental Impacts Summary of Radiation Impacts for the Proposal Plate 2.1 Dubbo East Junction Plate 2.2 Plate 2.3 Wingewarra Street Level Crossing Cobra Street (Mitchell Highway) Level Crossing Plate 2.4 Boundary Road Level Crossing Plate 2.5 Plate 2.6 Plate 2.7 Macquarie Street Level Crossing Cumboogle (Obley Road) Level Crossing Glengerra (Obley Road) Level Crossing ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Plate 2.8 Toongi Road Level Crossing Plate 2.9 Plate 2.10 Plate 2.11 Plate 2.12 Plate 4.1 Plate 4.2 Plate 4.3 Plate 4.4 Plate 4.5 Plate 4.6 Plate 4.7 Plate 4.8 Plate 4.9 Plate 4.10 Plate 4.11 Plate 4.12 Plate 4.13 Plate 4.14 Plate 4.15 Plate 4.16 Plate 4.17 Revegetated slopes of Peak Hill Gold Mine Waste Rock Emplacement Revegetated upper surface of Peak Hill Gold Mine Waste Rock Emplacement Vegetation regrowth on the Peak Hill Gold Mine ROM Pad with revegetated Heap Leach in the background Revegetation of the Peak Hill Gold Mine Waste Rock Emplacement Toongi Road from the Obley Road Intersection Toongi Road Alignment and Condition (beyond the Springs Road Intersection) Causeway crossing of Wambangalang Creek Obley Road Typical Alignment and Condition Newell Highway - Obley Road Intersection (Looking South) Newell Highway - Obley Road Intersection (Looking North) Obley Road - Toongi Road Intersection (Looking South) Obley Road - Toongi Road Intersection (Looking North) Fletcher International Rail Terminal Access - Yarrandale Road Intersection Looking South along Yarrandale Road from the Intersection with Boothenba Road Newell Highway - Boothenba Road Intersection (Looking South) Newell Highway - Boothenba Road Intersection (Looking North) Looking East on Wingewarra Street from the Rail Crossing Looking West on Cobra Street from the Rail Crossing Looking West on Boundary Street from the Rail Crossing Looking West on Macquarie Street from the Rail Crossing Looking North on Obley Road from Rail Crossing xviii

21 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Plate 4.18 Plate 4.19 Plate 4.20 Plate 4.21 Plate 4.22 Plate 4.23 Plate 4.24 Plate 4.25 Plate 4.26 Plate 4.27 Plate 4.28 Plate 4.29 CHARTS Chart 2.1 Looking South on Obley Road from Rail Crossing Looking East on Cumboogle Road at the Rail Crossing Looking West on Bellevue Road at the Rail Crossing Looking East on Toongi Road at the Rail Crossing View of Toongi Valley from Obley Road (Property 34) View towards the DZP Site and Dowds Hill from 200R Obley Road (R27) View towards the DZP Site from 215R Obley Road (R25) View over Toongi Valley from 216R Obley Road (R24) View towards the DZP Site from 218R Obley Road (R23) View towards the DZP Site from driveway of 218R Obley Road (R23) View towards the DZP Site from Obley Road (South of Wambangalang Creek crossing View towards the DZP Site from Strathgled (R18) Indicative Construction, Development and DZP Commencement Sequence AUSTRALIAN ZIRCONIA LTD SPECIALIST CONSULTANT STUDIES COMPENDIUM (Accompanying this Volume) Volume 1: Part 1: Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment EMGA Mitchell McLennan Part 2: Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Assessment Pacific Environment Limited Part 3: Radiation Assessment JRHC Enterprises Pty Ltd Part 4: Surface Water Assessment Strategic Environmental and Engineering Consulting Pty Ltd Part 5: Groundwater Assessment Environmental Earth Sciences Volume 2: Part 6: Terrestrial Ecology Assessment Ozark Environmental and Heritage Management Pty Ltd Part 7: Aquatic Ecology Assessment Alison Hunt and Associates Pty Ltd Volume 3: Part 8: Aboriginal Heritage Assessment Ozark Environmental and Heritage Management Pty Ltd Part 9: Historic Heritage Assessment Ozark Environmental and Heritage Management Pty Ltd Part 10 Soils and Land Capability Assessment Sustainable Soils Management Pty Ltd Part 11: Traffic Impact Assessment Constructive Solutions Pty Ltd Part 12: Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Diana Gibbs and Partners xix