Blast Management Plan

Transcription

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2 Table of Contents 1 Purpose Scope ning Regulatory Requirements Development Consent Environmental Protection Licence Blast Impact Assessment Criteria Blasting Hours and Blasting Frequency Impact Assessment Criteria Amenity Impact Assessment Criteria Infrastructure Impact Assessment Criteria Heritage Impact Assessment Criteria Implementation Blast Management Controls Operational Controls Pre-Blast Risk Management Process Dust Management Fume Management Flyrock Management Infrastructure Management Public Roads kV Suspension Towers PID Pipeline Underground Services Dam Walls Communication Consultation with Neighbouring Mines Consultation with Neighbouring Residents Consultation with Government Agencies Training and Awareness Measurement and Evaluation Monitoring Overpressure and Vibration Monitoring Blast Fume Monitoring Meteorological Monitoring Impact Assessment Impact Assessment Criteria Private Property Structural Investigations Private Property Monitoring Campaigns Heritage Structural Inspections Incident Management Incident Reporting Complaint Management Evaluation of Monitoring Results and Management Measures Page 2 of 27

3 5.5.1 Annual Environmental Broad Brush Risk Assessment Reporting Review and Improvement Document Review Accountabilities Document Information Related Documents Reference Information Change Information Appendix A - Development Consent (SSD-4960) Blasting Conditions Appendix B - Environmental Protection Licence 563 Blasting Conditions Appendix C - Department of ning and Environment Bulga Coal Complex Approval SSD Page 3 of 27

4 1 Purpose The purpose of this is to describe the management measures implemented by Bulga Coal to minimise blasting impacts on the local community and infrastructure and maintain compliance with approval and legislative requirements and the requirements of the Glencore Coal Assets Australia Blast Protocol. 2 Scope This applies to blasting activities carried out by Bulga Coal within the open cut Development Consent Project Boundary and Environmental Protection Licence and forms part of the Blast Management Framework and Environmental Management System. The requirements of this plan are to be implemented by employees and contractors working for or on behalf of Bulga Coal. 3 ning 3.1 Regulatory Requirements Development Consent Bulga Coal was granted Development Consent (SSD-4960) for open cut mining and associated activities under the Environmental ning and Assessment Act 1979 on 1 December Proposed blasting activities and predicted blasting impacts were assessed as part of the Blasting Assessment (Umwelt, 2013) for the Project. Development Consent requirements are listed in Appendix A Environmental Protection Licence Bulga Coal hold Environmental Protection Licence 563 for mining for coal, which contains conditions associated with overpressure and vibration monitoring, assessment criteria and reporting. These conditions are outlined in Appendix B. 3.2 Blast Impact Assessment Criteria Blasting Hours and Blasting Frequency Blasting will be undertaken at Bulga Open Cut between the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, inclusive. No blasts will be fired on Sundays, Public Holidays, or at any other time unless written approval is obtained from the Secretary of the Department of ning and the Environment. Where required, any resident likely to be impacted by the blast will also be contacted prior to blasting outside the permitted hours. Where possible, Bulga Coal will avoid blasting during peak traffic periods, where closure of Broke or Charlton Road is required to minimise air quality impacts. Blasting will be scheduled so that no more than 3 blasts per day and no more than 5 blasts per week, averaged over a calendar year, will be carried out within the Project Boundary, excluding blasts that generate 0.5mm/s or less at any residence on privately-owned land, blast misfires or blasts required for safety purposes. Page 4 of 27

5 3.2.2 Impact Assessment Criteria Blasting will be managed to minimise air blast overpressure and vibration levels at the monitoring locations discussed in Section and prevent exceedances of the amenity impact assessment criteria outlined in Table 3-1. These criteria do not apply where a written agreement is in place between a private landowner and Bulga Coal and DPE have been advised of this agreement. Blasting will also be managed to minimise ground vibration at private and public infrastructure and prevent exceedances of the criteria listed in Table 3-2. The blast monitoring program is outlined further in Section Amenity Impact Assessment Criteria Location Airblast overpressure (db(lin Peak)) Ground Vibration (mm/s) Allowable exceedance Residence on privately owned land % % of the total number of blasts over a period of 12 months. Table 3-1 Development Consent Criteria for Privately-owned Residences Infrastructure Impact Assessment Criteria Location Airblast overpressure (db(lin Peak)) Ground Vibration (mm/s) Allowable exceedance 330kV Suspension Towers, PID Pipeline, and public roads % 50 All other public infrastructure - (Unless the Director-General has agreed to an alternative a specific limit determined in accordance with the structural design methodology in AS , or its latest version) 0% Table 3-2 Development Consent Criteria for Public and Private Infrastructure Page 5 of 27

6 Heritage Impact Assessment Criteria Blasting will also be managed to minimise ground vibration at heritage sites and prevent exceedances of the criteria listed in Table 3-3. A structural inspection of Mt Leonard Homestead, BH14 Charlton, B13 Stone Wall alongside Monkey Place Creek and St Andrews Anglican Church heritage sites was carried out by a Structural Engineer. The assessment concluded that these sites were not expected to experience any global stability problems caused by ground vibrations of 3mm/s and that occasional ground vibration of up to 5mm/s is also unlikely to have a detrimental effect on the structural integrity of the sites. Bulga Coal has adopted the 5mm/s criteria as the impact assessment criteria at these sites and will minimise ground vibration. Location Airblast overpressure (db(lin Peak)) Ground Vibration (mm/s) Allowable exceedance Mt Leonard Homestead, BH14 Charlton, B13 Stone Wall alongside Monkey Place Creek, St Andrews Anglican Church, BH6 Broke Cemetery, Murinbin House Group % Table 3-3 Development Consent Heritage Impact Assessment Criteria 4 Implementation 4.1 Blast Management Controls Operational Controls Controls implemented to minimise air blast overpressure and ground vibration from blasting activities include; a) Implementation of the BOC Blast Management System, incorporating; Site Safety Management s, Shotfiring and Explosives Management, and associated site based procedures; b) Use of blast design, in consideration of both safety and environmental requirements to manage potential impacts; c) Completion of a pre-blast environmental assessment, considering; wind speed, wind direction, inversions prior to each blast; d) Use of initiation systems that minimise overpressure; e) Use of adequate stemming (type and quantity) to maximise confinement of explosive charged for the management of flyrock and overpressure; f) Use of charge distributions suited to observed face burden; and g) Evaluating new technology and alternative blasting methodologies that minimise air blast overpressure, ground vibration, dust and fume. Page 6 of 27

7 4.1.2 Pre-Blast Risk Management Process A pre-blast risk management process is implemented to minimise air blast overpressure, ground vibration, dust and fume, as described in Table 4-1. Process Description Pre-blast weather (wind speed/wind direction) assessment Pre-blast weather (inversion) assessment (EnvMet) Pre-blast fume assessment and notifications Pre-blast community and stakeholder notifications Completion of Pre-blast Checklist An assessment of current weather conditions is undertaken utilising onsite weather stations. Bulga Coal uses a Blasting Permissions System that identifies weather conditions that require further assessment and consideration of potential impacts prior to blasting. Generally, these include wind speeds and wind directions that have the potential to transport dust and/or fume over privately owned residences, public roads that are open to traffic, and Bulga Underground Ventilation Infrastructure on the surface. These blasting permissions are reviewed and amended as required to minimise impacts. An assessment of meteorological conditions such as inversions is also undertaken for each blast using the EnvMet system. The EnvMet model output is used in conjunction with weather assessments to identify atmospheric conditions that may contribute to elevated overpressure at privately owned residences. Where the EnvMet model predicts overpressure at compliance blast monitoring locations above the criteria defined in the Development Consent and Environmental Protection Licence, the adverse weather risk review and approval process is initiated. As a key component of the Blast Management System, potential for fume generation is assessed for each blast. Measures used to minimise fume are detailed in Section Prior to each blast Bulga Coal will communicate blasting activities to external stakeholders in accordance with Section The pre-blast checklist is an operational procedure that is completed for each blast by the shift OCE/Drill and Blast Supervisor/Drill and Blast Engineer. This checklist identifies all actions required to be considered and completed prior to blasting. This checklist integrates operational aspects with environmental considerations including; weather checks, stakeholder consultation, road closures and confirmation of camera operation. Page 7 of 27

8 Adverse weather risk review and approval process This is a systematic risk based review process that is triggered when the assessments described above identify a need for further consideration. This process elevates the approval to blast to the Mining Manager, Technical Services Manager and Environment and Community Manager. In making a determination, both safety, environmental and community factors are considered. Where it is deemed that delays in blasting may result in increased safety, environmental or community risks, blasts may be fired following the approval of this management group Dust Management Table 4-1 Pre-blast Risk Management Process The management of air quality impacts from dust generated from blasting is managed through operational controls and blast design, including; a) Watering of blast areas and drill patterns, including cuttings, during drilling and loading operations; b) Use of dust control and water injection equipment on drill rigs; c) Use of course material (gravel) or material with a lower dust generation potential such as stemming material in overburden blasts; d) Measurement of holes before and after loading to check that adequate stemming has been used in accordance with the blast design; e) Assessing weather conditions prior to blasting and avoiding blasting in unsuitable or adverse weather conditions; f) Closure of Broke or Charlton Road where potential exists for excessive dust to travel across Broke or Charlton Road Fume Management The management of air quality impacts from fume is managed through the following blast design and operational controls; a) Consideration of the geological conditions present for each blast in the blast design; b) Appropriate blast design and product selection for the location of each blast and weather conditions experienced during the time of loading; c) Implementing on-bench practises such as the construction water diversion bunds or drains that minimise the potential for water ingress into blasting areas, drill holes and loaded shots; d) Minimising the contamination of explosives in blast holes; and e) Closure of Broke or Charlton road where potential exists for fume to travel across Broke or Charlton road. Further detail on the controls implemented at Bulga to minimise fume is provided in the Bulga Open Cut Blast Fume Management Strategy (Appendix C). Page 8 of 27

9 4.1.5 Flyrock Management The safety risks associated with fly rock from blasting are managed through the following controls; a) Use of adequate stemming lengths and materials to manage flyrock generation; b) Establishment of an exclusion zone beyond the expected range of flyrock for each blast; c) Closure of Broke or Charlton road where pre-blast risk assessments determine potential for flyrock to be projected to these public roads; and d) Post-blast clearance inspections and monitoring Infrastructure Management Public Roads Whenever a shot is being fired within a distance of 500m or less from a public road or is deemed necessary following the pre-blast risk assessment process, Broke or Charlton Road is closed for the duration of the blast to minimise air quality impacts on road users. The duration of road closures is minimised and roads are reopened after they are inspected and cleared as safe for reopening. The following notifications are provided to reduce the inconvenience associated with road closures; a) development and implementation of a Traffic Management in consultation with Singleton Council; b) notification of planned road closures in the Singleton Argus; and c) displaying signage prior to road closure points providing the timing of planned closures and alternate routes for road users kV Suspension Towers Bulga Coal has a written agreement with Transgrid that outlines the blast monitoring program and management controls to be implemented to monitor and mitigate impacts on the 330kV line traversing the site. Vibration prediction will be conducted at 330kV Suspension Towers using a scaled distance model and where predictions are greater than or equal to 80% of the relevant criteria, portable vibration monitors will be used to assess if the measured vibration level from blasting exceeds the criteria PID Pipeline Vibration prediction will be conducted at the PID Pipeline using a scaled distance model and where predictions are greater than or equal to 80% of the relevant vibration criteria, portable vibration monitors will be used to assess if the measured vibration level from blasting exceeds the criteria Underground Services Vibration prediction will be conducted along the optic fibre line using a scaled distance model and where predictions are greater than or equal to 80% of the relevant vibration criteria, portable vibration monitors will be used to assess if the measured vibration level from blasting exceeds the criteria Dam Walls Vibration prediction is conducted on the dam walls of both the Vaux Pit and the Deep Pit at their narrowest point using a scaled distance model. If the prediction is >20mm/s then further geotechnical analysis is conducted prior to loading the blast. Page 9 of 27

10 4.2 Communication Consultation with Neighbouring Mines Bulga Coal consults with relevant personnel from neighbouring mines prior to any blast to minimise cumulative impacts and manage safety risks. These mines include Bulga Underground, operated by Glencore, and Mt Thorley Warkworth Mine, operated by Rio Tinto Coal and Allied Consultation with Neighbouring Residents Bulga Coal notifies local residents within 2kms of the blast location and others that have requested notification prior to each blast. Notifications are made via a phone call. Notification has also been provided to private landowners within 2 kilometres of any approved open cut pit that they are entitled to an inspection to establish the baseline condition of any buildings/structures on their land Consultation with Government Agencies This has been prepared in consultation with the EPA and to the satisfaction of the Secretary of DPE. The EPA and DPE will be consulted regarding any significant changes to this and the resubmitted to the Secretary of DPE for approval. 4.3 Training and Awareness Blast training and awareness is provided to employees and contractors as part of the sites induction. Personnel with responsibilities under this are provided training on the requirements of this. Targeted training is also provided to selected employees and contractors, such technical services and drill and blast personnel, on an as needs basis. Personnel tasked with the operation of blast monitoring, dust monitoring and meteorological monitoring will be trained and competent in monitoring in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard. Monitoring contractors will be requested to provide training procedures/records to verify that trained and competent personnel are used. 5 Measurement and Evaluation 5.1 Monitoring Overpressure and Vibration Monitoring Air blast overpressure and ground vibration is monitored at the locations shown on Figure 5.1 and listed in EPL 563 for compliance monitoring purposes. These monitoring locations have been selected as they are considered representative of the nearest privately owned residences surrounding the operation. Blast monitoring instrumentation is installed, calibrated and maintained in accordance with both AS and the manufacturer s specifications. Data collected for each blast includes the following; a) Measured ground vibration; b) Measured air blast overpressure; c) Maximum instantaneous charge; d) Distance from blast to monitoring location; Page 10 of 27

11 e) Volume of explosives used f) Number of holes; g) Blast type; h) Weather conditions; and i) Video footage. Overpressure and vibration results are stored in the Environmental Monitoring Database and used for internal and external reporting outlined in Table 5-4. Notification of overpressure and vibration results and any exceedances of criteria is also provided to relevant environmental, mining and technical services personnel after each blast via a text message Blast Fume Monitoring Blast fume from blasting activities carried out at Bulga Open Cut is monitored through video recording of blasts that generate fume. Further detail on blast fume monitoring is provided in the Bulga Open Cut Blast Fume Management Strategy (Appendix C) Meteorological Monitoring Bulga Coal operate three weather stations at the locations shown on Figure 5-1. These measure wind speed and wind direction at 10m. Data from the most representative weather station is considered as part of pre-blast weather assessments. Page 11 of 27

12 Impact Assessment Page 12 of 27

13 5.2 Impact Assessment Impact Assessment Criteria The monitoring data collected from compliance monitoring location will be assessed against the relevant impact assessment criteria outlined in Table 5-3. Exceedances of the criteria will be investigated and impacts assessed using the incident management investigation process discussed in Section 5.3. EPA Monitoring Point Monitoring Reference Private Property Impact Assessment Criteria Heritage Impact Assessment Criteria Ground Vibration (mm/s) Ground Vibration (mm/s) Airblast overpressure Airblast overpressure Ground Vibration (mm/s) 5 Dawtrey Hedley N/A 7 Bulga Charlton Table 5-3 Monitoring Points and Impact Assessment Criteria Private Property Structural Investigations Baseline structural assessments have been offered to private landowners within 2 kilometres of an approved open cut pit in accordance with the Development Consent requirements. Following a request from a private landowner surrounding the operation that claims that buildings/structures on his/her land have been damaged as a result of blasting, Bulga Coal will commission a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person to undertake a structural assessment on any buildings/structures on privately owned land surrounding the operation, in accordance with the requirements of the Development Consent Private Property Monitoring Campaigns Blast monitoring may also be undertaken on private property to assess the ground vibration or overpressure levels experienced at the property, following a request from the landowner or initiated by Bulga Coal Heritage Structural Inspections Structural assessments are completed on the following historic heritage sites surrounding Bulga Open Cut every two years, or earlier, if required in response to a blast vibration incident to assess any impact to these sites caused by blasting: a) Mt Leonard Homestead; b) Charlton (Site ID BH14) c) St Andrews Anglican Church d) Broke Cemetery (Site ID BH6) e) Monkey Place Creek Stone Wall (Site ID BH13) These assessments are reviewed by environmental personnel and the Drill and Blast Engineer and any necessary actions implemented to remediate impacts caused by blasting and/or prevent future impacts from blasting. Page 13 of 27

14 5.3 Incident Management Environmental incidents caused by blasting will be managed in accordance with the incident management process in the Bulga Complex Environmental Management Strategy. For the purposes of blasting, incidents are defined as follows: a) An individual blast that generates an overpressure level greater than 120db or more than 5% of the total number of blasts above 115db during the DA or EPL reporting period at a compliance blast monitor. b) An individual blast that generates a ground vibration level greater than 10mm/s at the Hedley Blast Monitor or more than 5% of the total number of blasts above 5mm/s during the DA or EPL reporting period at a compliance blast monitor. c) An individual blast that generates a ground vibration level greater than the heritage impact assessment criteria of 5mm/s at the Charlton, Bulga or Dawtrey Blast Monitor. d) A blast fume event that is classified as Category 3 in accordance with NSW Department of ning and the Environment classifications and leaves site. e) A blast fume event that is classified as Category 4 or Category 5 in accordance with NSW Department of ning and the Environment classifications. f) A pollution event that causes or threatens to cause material harm to the environment in accordance with the Protection of the Environment Operations Act g) Offensive blast fume emitted from the premises that meets the definition in Condition L5.5 of EPL563. Incidents are investigated using the Incident Cause Analysis Method (ICAM) in accordance with the sites incident management procedure and any necessary corrective of preventative actions implemented Incident Reporting Exceedances of overpressure or vibration limits listed in Condition L5.3 and L5.4 of EPL 563 will be reported to the regional office of the EPA as soon as practicable after the exceedance becomes known to Bulga Coal or to one of Bulga Coal s employees or agents, in accordance with Condition R4.1 of EPL 563. A blast incident that causes or threatens material harm to the environment will be reported in accordance with the requirements of Condition R2 of EPL563 and the Bulga Coal Pollution Incident Response Management. As defined by Section 147 of the POEO Act, a material harm incident is an incident that: a) involves actual or potential harm to the health or safety of human beings or to ecosystems that is not trivial; or b) results in actual or potential loss (including all reasonable costs and expenses that would be incurred in taking all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent, mitigate or make good harm to the environment) or property damage of an amount, or amounts in aggregate, exceeding $10, (or such other amount as is prescribed by the regulations). Notification of overpressure or vibration incidents listed in Section 5.3 will be provided to the Secretary of the NSW Department of ning and the Environment and any other relevant agencies. Within 7 days of the date of the incident, a detailed report on the incident will be provided to the Secretary and any relevant agencies. In accordance with the Blast Fume Management Strategy included in Appendix C, Fume incidents listed in Section 5.4 will be reported to the NSW Department of ning and the Environment compliance office in Singleton via a phone call. Page 14 of 27

15 5.4 Complaint Management Complaints received in relation to blasting activities at Bulga Coal will be acknowledged, reported and investigated in accordance with the complaints management process in the Bulga Complex Environmental Management Strategy, which involves: a) Acknowledging all complaints, responding to the complainant within 24 hours, where practicable; b) Investigating complaints impartially giving proper consideration to the facts and the circumstances prevailing at the time; c) Implementing corrective/preventative actions if required; and d) Reporting investigation outcomes and corrective/preventative actions implemented to relevant stakeholders. 5.5 Evaluation of Monitoring Results and Management Measures Monitoring results and management measures will be assessed for compliance with approval conditions and evaluated as part of the Annual Review. This will include: a) a comparison of blast monitoring results and operating conditions against the relevant statutory requirements, limits or performance measures/criteria; and b) an evaluation of the effectiveness of blast management measures and monitoring programs in achieving the objectives of the Blast Management. As part of this evaluation process, relevant management plans and/or procedures will be modified, where necessary Annual Environmental Broad Brush Risk Assessment Performance in managing environment and community impacts from blasting will be assessed annually as part of the Environment and Community Broad Brush Risk Assessment. Where necessary, actions will be identified to implement new controls or modify existing controls to minimise environment and community impacts. Page 15 of 27

16 5.6 Reporting A summary of blast monitoring results and an assessment of compliance with approval requirements and the requirements of this will be reported in accordance with the schedule outlined in Table 5.4. Stakeholder Report Report Content Frequency NSW Department of ning and Environment NSW EPA NSW Office of Water NSW Department of Primary Industries Singleton Shire Council Community Consultative Committee Annual Review Blast monitoring results, assessment of compliance and performance, comparison with EA predictions. Annually Publicly available on Bulga Coal Website Regulatory Authorities/Public Publicly available on Bulga Coal Website Environmental Monitoring Report Blast monitoring results and assessment of compliance with criteria. Quarterly NSW EPA Annual Return Blast monitoring results, complaints and assessment of compliance with criteria. Annually NSW EPA Publicly available on Bulga Coal Website Blast Monitoring Summary Blast monitoring results. Monthly Community Consultative Committee Meetings Community Consultative Committee Meetings Blast monitoring results, assessment of compliance and performance. Twice a year Table 5-4 Blast Reporting 6 Review and Improvement 6.1 Document Review This will be reviewed every 5 years as a minimum. The may also be reviewed earlier, if required, following a change to the sites internal or external context, an incident investigation, environmental audit, annual review or Development Consent modification. Page 16 of 27

17 7 Accountabilities Role Drill and Blast Engineer Accountabilities for this document Facilitate and/or implement the blast management controls described in Section 4.1 Consult with neighbouring mines to minimise cumulative impacts from blasting in accordance with Section 4.2. Coordinate the infrastructure monitoring program described in Section Undertake blast fume monitoring. Environment and Community Officer Coordinate the vibration/overpressure monitoring program described in Section Coordinate structural assessments on heritage items in accordance with Section Coordinate private property monitoring campaigns in accordance with Section Manage blast related complaints in accordance with the process described in Section 5.4. Evaluate monitoring results and compliance with approval conditions/blast management plan commitments and report in accordance with Section 5.5. Review the performance of the blast management plan in meeting the objectives/targets. Environment and Community Manager Manage and report blast incidents in accordance with Section 5.3. Review the performance of the blast management plan in meeting the objectives/targets in accordance with Section 6.1. Page 17 of 27

18 8 Document Information 8.1 Related Documents Number BULCX BULOC BULOC BULCX Title Bulga Complex Environmental Management Strategy Blast Fume Management Shotfiring and Explosives Management Pollution Incident Response Management Table 8-1 Related documents 8.2 Reference Information Reference AS Title Explosives Storage and use Use of explosives Explosives Regulation 2013 under Explosives Act 2003 Table 8-2 Reference information 8.3 Change Information Version Date Change Summary New document Changed to Final following DoPI approval Now includes fume strategy New template and document uploaded Updated Section 3.38 as per request from Dan Thomas Version 4.1: Updated version history table Uploading revised version as requested by Scott Wolfenden. Includes letter from Dept of ning and Environment Uploading revised document with minor changes to formatting in document and appendices as requested by Scott Wolfenden Reference to environment and community broad brush risk assessment process and contractor training requirements. Version 8.3: Reference to Environment and Community Broad Brush Risk Assessment Process and contractor training requirements. Version 8.2: Reference to Annual Environment and Community Broad Brush Risk Assessment process and contractor training requirements. Version 8.1: Reference to Annual Environment and Community Broad Brush Risk Assessment Process and contractor training Sharepoint Migration Minor formatting changes and updated Change Information table with history. Updated 8.2 Reference Information added Explosives Regulation 2013 under Explosives Act 2003 as per Daniel Thomas. Table 8-3 Change information Page 18 of 27

19 Appendix A - Development Consent (SSD-4960) Blasting Conditions Schedule/Condition No. Condition Summary of Condition Section The Applicant shall ensure that blasting on the site does not cause exceedances of the criteria in Table 4. Location Airblast overpressure (db(lin Peak)) Ground Vibration (mm/s) Allowable exceedance % Residence on privately owned land % of the total number of blasts over a period of 12 months. Schedule 2. Condition kV Suspension Towers, PID Pipeline, and public roads % Blast Criteria All other public infrastructure - (Unless the Director-General has agreed to an alternative a specific limit determined in accordance with the structural design methodology in AS , or its latest version) 0% Page 19 of 27

20 Condition 9. The Applicant shall only carry out blasting on site between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Saturday inclusive. No blasting is allowed on Sundays, public holidays, or at any other time without the written approval of the Director-General. The Applicant shall carry out a maximum of: Blasting Hours (a) 3 blasts a day; and (b) 5 blasts a week, averaged over a calendar year, on the site. Condition 10. This condition does not apply to blasts that generate ground vibration of 0.5 mm/s or less at any residence on privately-owned land, blast misfires or blasts required to ensure the safety of the mine or its workers. Blasting Frequency Note: For the purposes of this condition, a blast refers to a single blast event, which may involve a number of individual blasts fired in quick succession in a discrete area of the mine. If the Applicant receives a written request from the owner of any privately-owned land within 2 kilometres of the approved open cut mining pit/s on site for a property inspection to establish the baseline condition of any buildings and/or structures on his/her land, or to have a previous property inspection updated, then within 2 months of receiving this request the Applicant shall: (a) commission a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, whose appointment is acceptable to both parties to: Condition 11. establish the baseline condition of any buildings and other structures on the land, or update the previous property inspection report; and Property Inspections identify measures that should be implemented to minimise the potential blasting impacts of the development on these buildings and/or structures; and (b) give the landowner a copy of the new or updated property inspection report. If there is a dispute over the selection of the suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, or the Applicant or the landowner disagrees with the findings of the property inspection report, either party may refer the matter to the Director-General for resolution. Condition 12. If the owner of any privately-owned land claims that buildings and/or structures on his/her land have been damaged as a result of blasting on the site, then within 2 months of receiving this claim the Applicant shall: (a) commission a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, whose appointment is acceptable to both parties to investigate the claim; and Property Investigations (b) give the landowner a copy of the property investigation report. Page 20 of 27

21 If this independent property investigation confirms the landowner s claim, and both parties agree with these findings, then the Applicant shall repair the damage to the satisfaction of the Director- General. If there is a dispute over the selection of the suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, or the Applicant or the landowner disagrees with the findings of the independent property investigation, then either party may refer the matter to the Director-General for resolution. During mining operations on site, the Applicant shall: (a) implement best management practice to: protect the safety of people and livestock in the surrounding area; protect public or private infrastructure/property in the surrounding area from any damage; and 4.1.3, minimise the dust and fume emissions of any blasting; Condition 13. (b) ensure that blasting on site does not damage the Mount Leonard Homestead, Mt Leonards Public School (Scout Hall), Charlton (BH14), Bulga Bridge, St Andrews Anglican Church, or the Loders Creek grinding groove site (prior to relocation); (c) minimise the frequency and duration of any road closures, and avoid road closures for blasting Operating Conditions 4.1.1, during peak traffic periods; (d) operate a suitable system to enable the public to get up-to-date information on the proposed blasting schedule on site and associated road closures; (e) co-ordinate the timing of blasting on site with the timing of blasting at the Mt Thorley and Warkworth mines to minimise any cumulative blasting impacts; (f) monitor and report on compliance with the relevant blasting conditions in this consent, to the satisfaction of the Director-General. 5.5 Page 21 of 27

22 The Applicant shall not undertake blasting on site within 500 metres of: (a) any public road; or (b) any land outside the site that is not owned by the Applicant, unless: Condition 14. the Applicant has a written agreement with the applicable roads authority or landowner to allow blasting to be carried out closer to the public road or land, and the Applicant has advised P&I in writing of the terms of this agreement; or the Applicant has: Operating Conditions demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Director-General that the blasting can be carried out closer to the road or land without compromising the safety of people or livestock, or damaging buildings and/or structures; and updated the to include the specific measures that would be implemented while blasting is being carried out within 500 metres of the road or land. Condition 15. The Applicant shall prepare and implement a for the development to the satisfaction of the Director-General. This plan must: (a) be prepared in consultation with the EPA, and submitted to the Director-General for approval within 12 months of the date of this consent; (b) describe the measures that would be implemented to ensure compliance with the blasting criteria and operating conditions of this consent; (c) propose and justify any alternative ground vibration limits for any public infrastructure in the vicinity of the site (if relevant); and Blast Management This (d) include a monitoring program for evaluating and reporting on compliance with the blasting criteria and operating conditions. 5.1 Within 1 month of the date of this consent, the Applicant shall: (a) notify in writing the owners of: Schedule 4. Condition 1. the land listed in Table 1 of schedule 3 that they have the right to require the Applicant to acquire their land at any stage during the development and/or request the Applicant to ask for additional noise and/or air quality mitigation measures (whichever is relevant) to be installed at their residence at any stage during the development (if they have not requested acquisition); any residence on the land listed in Table 2 of schedule 3 that they have the right to request the Applicant to ask for additional noise and/or air quality mitigation measures (whichever is relevant) to be installed at their residence at any stage during the development; and Notification of Landowners Page 22 of 27

23 Table 8-4 any privately-owned land within 2 kilometres of the approved open cut mining pit/s that they are entitled to ask for an inspection to establish the baseline condition of any buildings or structures on their land, or to have a previous property inspection report updated; (b) notify the tenants of any mine-owned land of their rights under this consent (see condition 17 of schedule 3); and (c) send a copy of the NSW Health fact sheet entitled Mine Dust and You (as may be updated from time to time) to the owners and/or existing tenants of any land (including mine-owned land) where the predictions in the EIS identify that dust emissions generated by the development are likely to be greater than the relevant air quality criteria in schedule 3 at any time during the life of the development. Development Consent (SSD-4960) Blasting Conditions Page 23 of 27

24 Appendix B - Environmental Protection Licence 563 Blasting Conditions Condition No. Condition Summary of Condition Section The following points referred to in the table below are identified in this licence for the purpose of monitoring and/or setting of limits for the emission of noise from the point. Blast Monitoring Points EPA Identification no. Type of monitoring point Location description 5 Air blast overpressure & ground vibration peak particle velocity monitoring. Monitoring location identified as Dawtrey in the document titled: Bulga Coal, EPL 563, Monitoring Locations, Xstrata Coal NSW (2013) P1.4 6 Air blast overpressure & ground vibration peak particle velocity monitoring. Monitoring location identified as Hedley in the document titled: Bulga Coal, EPL 563, Monitoring Locations, Xstrata Coal NSW (2013) 7 Air blast overpressure & ground vibration peak particle velocity monitoring. Monitoring location identified as Bulga in the document titled: Bulga Coal, EPL 563, Monitoring Locations, Xstrata Coal NSW (2013) 8 Air blast overpressure & ground vibration peak particle velocity monitoring. Monitoring location identified as Charlton in the document titled: Bulga Coal, EPL 563, Monitoring Locations, Xstrata Coal NSW (2013) Page 24 of 27

25 L5.1 L5.2 L5.3 L5.4 The airblast overpressure level from blasting operations in or on the premises must not exceed: 115dB (Lin Peak) for more than 5% of the total number of blasts during each reporting period; at either monitoring point 5,6,7 and 8 in Condition P1.4. The airblast overpressure level from blasting operations in or on the premises must not exceed: 120dB (Lin Peak) at any time; at either monitoring point 5,6,7 or 8 in Condition P1.4. The ground vibration peak particle velocity from blasting operations carried out in or on the premises must not exceed: 5 mm/second for more than 5% of the total number of blasts during each reporting period; at either monitoring point 5,6,7 or 8 in Condition P1.4. The ground vibration peak particle velocity from blasting operations carried out in or on the premises must not exceed: 10mm/s at any time; at either monitoring point 5,6,7 or 8 in Condition P1.4. Blasting Limits Blasting Limits Blasting Limits Blasting Limits To determine compliance with conditions L5.1 and L5.2: a) Airblast overpressure and ground vibration levels must be measured and electronically recorded for monitoring points 5,6,7 and 8 for the parameters specified in Column 1 of the table below; and b) The licensee must use the units of measure, sampling method and, and sample at the frequency specified opposite in the other columns. Blast Monitoring Frequency and Standards M7.1 Parameter Units of Measure Frequency Sampling Method Airblast Overpressure Decibels (Linear Peak) All blasts Australian Standard AS Ground Vibration Peak Particle Velocity Millimetres/second All blasts Australian Standard AS Page 25 of 27

26 R4.1 The licensee must report any exceedance of the licence blasting limits to the regional office of the EPA as soon as practicable after the exceedance becomes know to the licensee or to one of the licensee s employees or agents. Reporting Blast Exceedance 5.6 Table 8-5 EPL 563 Blasting Conditions Page 26 of 27

27 Appendix C - Department of ning and Environment Bulga Coal Complex Approval SSD-4960 Page 27 of 27