Environmental Impact Statement. Avoca Tank Project

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ABN 88 100 095 494 Environmental Impact Statement for the Avoca Tank Project Prepared by: R.W. CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED July 2014

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ABN 88 100 095 494 Environmental Impact Statement for the Avoca Tank Project Prepared for: Tritton Resources Pty Ltd ABN: 88 100 095 494 Yarrandale Road HERMIDALE NSW 2831 Telephone: (02) 6838 1100 Facsimile: (02) 6838 1101 Email: info@straits.com.au Prepared by: R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty. Limited Geological & Environmental Consultants ABN: 31 002 033 712 Brooklyn Office: 1st Floor, 12 Dangar Road PO Box 239 BROOKLYN NSW 2083 Telephone: (02) 9985 8511 Facsimile: (02) 6361 3622 Email: brooklyn@rwcorkery.com Orange Office: 62 Hill Street ORANGE NSW 2800 Telephone: (02) 6362 5411 Facsimile: (02) 6361 3622 Email: orange@rwcorkery.com Brisbane Office: Suite 5, Building 3 Pine Rivers Office Park 205 Leitchs Road BRENDALE QLD 4500 Telephone: (07) 3205 5400 Facsimile: (02) 6361 3622 Email: brisbane@rwcorkery.com Ref No. 859/02 July 2014

Avoca Tank Project Report No. 859/02 Document Control Document Title Environmental Impact Statement Document Number 859/02 Document Owner Revision Issue Date Originator Reviewed Approved Version 1 23/07/14 C Dickson M Bland T Cooney Version 2 Version 3 Next Review Due This Copyright is included for the protection of this document COPYRIGHT R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited 2014 and Tritton Resources Pty Ltd 2014 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

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Report No. 859/02 Avoca Tank Project CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... ES-1 SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION... 1-1 1.1 SCOPE... 1-3 1.2 THE APPLICANT... 1-5 1.3 PROJECT SITE... 1-6 1.4 BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSAL... 1-6 1.4.1 Existing Mineral Authorities... 1-6 1.4.2 Historic Mining Operations... 1-6 1.4.3 Current Mining Operations... 1-10 1.4.3.1 Introduction... 1-10 1.4.3.2 Girilambone Copper Mine... 1-11 1.4.3.3 Tritton Copper Mine... 1-11 1.4.4 Previous Exploration Operations.. 1-14 1.4.5 Mineral Resource Estimate... 1-15 1.4.6 Ongoing Exploration Operations... 1-15 1.4.7 Environmental Performance... 1-15 1.4.7.1 Introduction... 1-15 1.4.7.2 Air Quality... 1-16 1.4.7.3 Noise... 1-16 1.4.7.4 Biodiversity... 1-16 1.4.7.5 Surface Water... 1-16 1.4.7.6 Groundwater... 1-17 1.5 FORMAT OF THE DOCUMENT... 1-17 1.6 MANAGEMENT OF INVESTIGATIONS... 1-18 SECTION 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL... 2-1 2.1 INTRODUCTION... 2-3 2.1.1 Objectives... 2-3 2.1.2 Overview of the Proposal... 2-3 2.1.3 Approvals Required... 2-6 2.2 SITE PREPARATION... 2-7 2.2.1 Survey and Mark Out... 2-7 2.2.2 Vegetation Clearing... 2-8 2.2.3 Soil Stripping... 2-8 2.3 MINING OPERATIONS... 2-9 2.3.1 Layout of the Box cut... 2-9 2.3.2 Construction of the Box Cut and Portal... 2-9 2.3.2.1 Construction of the Box Cut... 2-9 2.3.2.2 Construction of the Portal and Underground Infrastructure... 2-10 2.3.3 Underground Development... 2-10 2.3.3.1 Decline and Development Design... 2-10 2.3.3.2 Drill and Blast Operations... 2-12 2.3.3.3 Load and Haul Operations... 2-12 2.3.3.4 Ventilation and Emergency Egress... 2-12 2.3.4 Underground Stoping Operations.. 2-13 2.3.4.1 Mining Method... 2-13 2.3.4.2 Stope Design... 2-13 2.3.4.3 Stope Backfilling Operations... 2-13 2.3.5 Mining Rate... 2-15 2.3.6 Mining Equipment... 2-15 2.4 WASTE ROCK MANAGEMENT... 2-16 2.4.1 Introduction... 2-16 2.4.2 Waste Rock Characteristics... 2-17 2.4.2.1 Introduction... 2-17 2.4.2.2 Acid Rock Drainage... 2-17 2.4.2.3 Waste Rock Characterisation Methodology... 2-17 2.4.2.4 Waste Rock Characterisation Results... 2-19 2.4.3 Waste Rock Emplacement Layout... 2-21 2.4.4 Waste Rock Emplacement Procedure... 2-22 2.4.5 Waste Rock Balance... 2-23 2.5 ORE MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORTATION... 2-25 2.5.1 ROM Pad Design and Layout... 2-25 2.5.2 Load and Haul Operations... 2-25 2.6 WATER MANAGEMENT... 2-26 2.6.1 Classes of Water... 2-26 2.6.2 Erosion and Sediment Control... 2-27 2.6.3 Operational Site Water Balance... 2-27 2.6.4 Water Management... 2-30 2.7 TRANSPORTATION... 2-30 2.7.1 Internal Project Site Transportation... 2-30 2.7.2 External Transportation... 2-31 2.7.2.1 External Road Network.. 2-31 2.7.2.2 Traffic Types and Levels... 2-33 2.8 FACILITIES AND SERVICES... 2-33 2.8.1 Facilities... 2-33 2.8.2 Services... 2-34 2.8.2.1 Introduction... 2-34 2.8.2.2 Electricity Supply... 2-34 2.8.2.3 Communications... 2-34 2.8.2.4 Hydrocarbons... 2-35 v

Avoca Tank Project Report No. 859/02 CONTENTS 2.9 NON-PRODUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT... 2-35 2.10 PROPOSAL LIFE AND HOURS OF OPERATION... 2-35 vi 2.10.1 Hours of Operation... 2-35 2.10.2 Proposal Life... 2-37 2.11 EMPLOYMENT, CAPITAL COST AND ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS... 2-37 2.12 SAFETY/SECURITY MANAGEMENT... 2-37 2.13 SITE REHABILITATION AND DECOMMISSIONING... 2-38 2.13.1 Introduction... 2-38 2.13.2 Rehabilitation Hierarchy... 2-38 2.13.3 Rehabilitation Objectives... 2-41 2.13.4 Strategic Rehabilitation Management... 2-41 2.13.4.1 Rehabilitation Domains. 2-41 2.13.4.2 Rehabilitation Completion Criteria, Performance Indicators and Monitoring Strategy... 2-43 2.13.5 Final Landform... 2-43 2.13.6 Final Land Use... 2-44 2.13.7 Rehabilitation Methods and Procedures... 2-45 2.13.7.1 Domain 1 Surface Facilities Area and Infrastructure... 2-45 2.13.7.2 Domain 3 Water Management Structures... 2-46 2.13.7.3 Domain 4 Waste Rock Emplacement and ROM Pad... 2-46 2.13.7.4 Domain 8 Underground Mining Area... 2-47 2.13.8 Ecosystem Development and Monitoring... 2-48 2.14 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED... 2-49 2.14.1 Introduction... 2-49 2.14.2 Alternative Site Layout... 2-49 2.14.3 Alternative Access Route... 2-49 2.14.4 On-Site Processing... 2-50 SECTION 3 CONSULTATION, ISSUE IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITISATION... 3-1 3.1 INTRODUCTION... 3-3 3.2 CONSULTATION... 3-3 3.2.1 Community Consultation... 3-3 3.2.1.1 Neighbouring Landowners... 3-3 3.2.1.2 Community Consultative Committee... 3-3 3.2.2 Government Agency Consultation... 3-4 3.2.2.1 Introduction... 3-4 3.2.2.2 Conceptual Project Development Plan Meeting... 3-4 3.2.2.3 Planning Focus Meeting... 3-4 3.2.2.4 Individual Agency and Stakeholder Consultation... 3-5 3.2.2.5 Summary of Issues Identified... 3-5 3.3 RELEVENT LEGISLATION, PLANNING ISSUES, POLICIES AND GUIDELINES... 3-6 3.3.1 Introduction... 3-6 3.3.2 Legislation... 3-7 3.3.2.1 Commonwealth Legislation... 3-7 3.3.2.2 NSW Legislation... 3-8 3.3.3 State Planning Policies... 3-11 3.3.3.1 State Environmental Planning Policy (State and Regional Development) 2011... 3-11 3.3.3.2 State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) 2007... 3-12 3.3.3.3 State Environmental Planning Policy No. 33 Hazardous and Offensive Development. 3-12 3.3.3.4 State Environmental Planning Policy No. 44 Koala Habitat Protection... 3-12 3.3.3.5 State Environmental Planning Policy No. 55 Remediation of Land.. 3-16 3.3.3.6 State Environmental Planning Policy (Rural Lands) 2008... 3-16 3.3.4 Regional Planning Issues... 3-17 3.3.4.1 Regional Environmental Plans... 3-17 3.3.4.2 Regional Strategies... 3-17 3.3.5 Local Planning Issues... 3-19 3.3.6 Environmental Guidelines... 3-22

Report No. 859/02 Avoca Tank Project CONTENTS 3.4 ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISK AND ISSUE PRIORITISATION... 3-22 3.5 PRIORITISATION OF KEY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES... 3-23 SECTION 4 ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF KEY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES... 4-1 4.1 BACKGROUND ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING... 4-3 4.1.1 Introduction... 4-3 4.1.2 Topography and Drainage... 4-3 4.1.2.1 Regional Topography and Drainage... 4-3 4.1.2.2 Local and Project Site Topography and Drainage... 4-3 4.1.3 Geology... 4-6 4.1.3.1 Regional Geology... 4-6 4.1.3.2 Local Geology... 4-6 4.1.3.3 Mineralisation... 4-8 4.1.4 Climate... 4-9 4.1.4.1 Introduction... 4-9 4.1.4.2 Data Sources... 4-9 4.1.4.3 Temperature and Humidity... 4-9 4.1.4.4 Rainfall and Evaporation... 4-10 4.1.4.5 Wind Conditions... 4-10 4.1.5 Land Ownership, Residences and Land Use... 4-12 4.1.5.1 Land Ownership and Residences... 4-12 4.1.5.2 Land Use... 4-12 4.2 ABORIGINAL HERITAGE... 4-14 4.2.1 Introduction... 4-14 4.2.2 Ethnohistory... 4-15 4.2.3 Previous Surveys... 4-16 4.2.3.1 Introduction... 4-16 4.2.3.2 Archaeological Record.. 4-16 4.2.3.3 Previous Project Site Surveys... 4-18 4.2.4 Predictive Model... 4-18 4.2.5 Consultation... 4-18 4.2.5.1 Prior to Survey... 4-18 4.2.5.2 During the Survey... 4-19 4.2.5.3 Following the Survey... 4-19 4.2.5.4 Adequacy of Consultation... 4-20 4.2.6 Survey Methodology... 4-20 4.2.7 Survey Results... 4-20 4.2.8 Potential Impacts on Aboriginal Heritage Sites... 4-23 4.2.9 Mitigation Measures... 4-23 4.2.10 Assessment of Impacts... 4-23 4.2.10.1 Assessment of Significance... 4-23 4.2.11 Conclusion... 4-24 4.3 ECOLOGY... 4-24 4.3.1 Introduction... 4-25 4.3.2 Regional and Local Setting... 4-26 4.3.2.1 Regional Setting... 4-26 4.3.2.2 Local Setting... 4-26 4.3.3 Background Research... 4-27 4.3.3.1 Previous Ecological Studies... 4-27 4.3.3.2 Database Searches... 4-27 4.3.3.3 Predicted Species, Communities and Populations... 4-27 4.3.4 Field Survey Methodology... 4-29 4.3.4.1 Introduction... 4-29 4.3.4.2 Flora Survey Methodology... 4-29 4.3.4.3 Fauna Survey Methodology... 4-31 4.3.5 Project Site Flora and Fauna... 4-31 4.3.5.1 Introduction... 4-31 4.3.5.2 Vegetation Communities Identified.. 4-31 4.3.5.3 Flora Species Identified. 4-33 4.3.5.4 Fauna Species Identified... 4-33 4.3.5.5 Habitats Recorded... 4-36 4.3.6 Potential Direct and Indirect Biodiversity Impacts... 4-36 4.3.6.1 Introduction... 4-36 4.3.6.2 Direct Biodiversity Impacts... 4-37 4.3.6.3 Potential Indirect Impacts on Flora and Fauna... 4-38 4.3.7 Management and Mitigation Measures... 4-39 4.3.7.1 Introduction... 4-39 4.3.7.2 Avoidance of Impacts... 4-39 4.3.7.3 Mitigation of Impacts... 4-40 4.3.8 Assessment of Impacts... 4-40 4.3.8.1 Introduction... 4-40 4.3.8.2 Vegetation Communities... 4-41 4.3.8.3 TSC Act Impact Assessment... 4-41 4.3.8.4 EPBC Act Assessment.. 4-41 4.3.8.5 Matters of National Environmental Significance... 4-41 4.3.9 Conclusion... 4-41 4.4 GROUNDWATER... 4-42 4.4.1 Introduction... 4-42 4.4.2 Hydrogeological Setting... 4-43 4.4.2.1 Regional Hydrogeology. 4-43 4.4.2.2 Local Hydrogeology... 4-43 vii

Avoca Tank Project Report No. 859/02 CONTENTS 4.4.2.3 Project Site 4.6 BLASTING AND VIBRATION... 4-61 4.4.2.4 Hydrogeology... 4-44 4.6.1 Introduction... 4-61 Surrounding Groundwater Users... 4-44 4.6.2 Blasting Criteria... 4-61 4.4.2.5 Groundwater Quality... 4-44 4.6.3 Assessment Methodology... 4-62 4.4.2.6GROUNDWATER DEPENDENT ECOSYSTEMS 4-44 4.6.4 Assessment of Impacts... 4-62 4.4.3 Groundwater Use and Supply... 4-46 4.6.5 Monitoring... 4-62 4.4.4 Assessment Methodology... 4-46 4.7 HISTORIC HERITAGE... 4-63 4.4.4.1 Introduction... 4-46 4.7.1 Introduction... 4-63 4.4.4.2 Conceptual Model... 4-46 4.7.2 Historical Record... 4-63 4.4.4.3 Qualitative Assessment 4-47 4.4.4.4 Quantitative 4.7.3 Background Research... 4-63 Assessment... 4-47 4.7.4 Survey Methodology... 4-64 4.4.5 Management and Mitigation Measures... 4-50 4.7.5 4.7.6 Survey Results... 4-64 Mitigation Measures... 4-65 4.4.6 Assessment of Impacts... 4-51 4.4.6.1 Groundwater Inflows... 4-51 4.7.7 Assessment of Impacts... 4-65 4.4.6.2 Groundwater 4.8 AIR QUALITY... 4-66 Drawdown... 4-51 4.8.1 Introduction... 4-66 4.4.6.3 Groundwater Quality... 4-52 4.8.2 Existing Environment... 4-67 4.4.6.4 Groundwater Users... 4-52 4.8.2.1 Introduction... 4-67 4.4.6.5 Groundwater 4.8.2.2 Existing Sources of Air Dependent Pollutants... 4-67 Ecosystems... 4-53 4.8.2.3 Background Deposited 4.4.7 Licensing Requirements... 4-53 Dust Levels... 4-68 4.4.8 Groundwater Monitoring... 4-53 4.5 NOISE... 4-53 4.5.1 Introduction... 4-53 4.5.2 Existing Noise Climate... 4-54 4.5.2.1 Introduction... 4-54 4.5.2.2 Existing Noise Sources and Identified Residences... 4-54 4.5.2.3 Meteorological Conditions... 4-55 4.5.2.4 Background Noise Levels... 4-55 4.5.3 Environmental Noise Criteria... 4-55 4.5.3.1 Introduction... 4-55 4.5.3.2 Operational Noise Criteria... 4-56 4.5.3.3 Sleep Disturbance Criteria... 4-56 4.5.3.4 Road Traffic Noise Criteria... 4-57 4.5.4 Assessment Methodology... 4-57 4.5.4.1 Site Establishment and Noise and Operational Noise... 4-57 4.5.4.2 Traffic-related Noise... 4-57 4.5.5 Management and Mitigation Measures... 4-60 4.5.6 Assessment of Impacts... 4-60 4.5.6.1 Site Establishment and Construction Noise... 4-60 4.5.6.2 Operational Noise... 4-60 4.5.6.3 Sleep Disturbance... 4-60 4.5.6.4 Road Traffic Noise... 4-60 4.8.3 Potential Sources of Dust Emissions... 4-68 4.8.4 Air Quality Guidelines... 4-68 4.8.5 Management and Mitigation Measures... 4-70 4.8.6 Assessment of Impacts... 4-71 4.8.7 Air Quality Monitoring... 4-71 4.9 SURFACE WATER... 4-71 4.9.1 Introduction... 4-72 4.9.2 Existing Environment... 4-72 4.9.2.1 Drainage... 4-72 4.9.2.2 Surface Water Quality... 4-73 4.9.2.3 Surface Water Users... 4-73 4.9.3 Management and Mitigation Measures... 4-73 4.9.4 Assessment of Impacts... 4-73 4.9.5 Monitoring... 4-74 4.10 TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION... 4-74 4.10.1 Introduction... 4-74 4.10.2 Existing Road Traffic Environment... 4-75 4.10.3 Management and Mitigation Measures... 4-77 4.10.4 Assessment of Impacts... 4-77 4.11 VISUAL AMENITY... 4-77 4.11.1 Introduction... 4-77 4.11.2 Existing Visual Amenity... 4-78 4.11.3 Management and Mitigation Measures... 4-78 viii

Report No. 859/02 Avoca Tank Project CONTENTS 4.11.4 Assessment of Impacts... 4-79 4.12 BUSH FIRE MANAGEMENT... 4-79 4.12.1 Introduction... 4-79 4.12.2 Existing Bush Fire Hazard Environment... 4-80 4.12.2.1 Vegetation... 4-80 4.12.2.2 Slope Classification... 4-80 4.12.2.3 Distance to Activities... 4-80 4.12.2.4 Hazard Assessment... 4-81 4.12.3 Management and Mitigation Measures... 4-81 4.12.4 Assessment of Impact... 4-82 4.13 SOIL AND LAND CAPABILITY... 4-82 4.13.1 Introduction... 4-82 4.13.2 Existing Environment... 4-83 4.13.2.1 Regional Soil Landscapes... 4-83 4.13.2.2 Project Site Soils... 4-83 4.13.3 Project Site Land Capability... 4-84 4.13.4 Management and Mitigation Measures... 4-85 4.13.5 Assessment of Impacts... 4-86 4.14 AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT... 4-87 4.14.1 Introduction... 4-87 4.14.2 Existing Agricultural Environment. 4-88 4.14.2.1 Agricultural Resources and Enterprises... 4-88 4.14.2.2 Water Resources... 4-90 4.14.2.3 Road Transport Infrastructure... 4-91 4.14.2.4 Management and Mitigation Measures... 4-91 4.14.3 Impact Assessment... 4-91 4.15 SOCIO-ECONOMIC... 4-91 4.15.1 Introduction... 4-91 4.15.2 Policy Context... 4-92 4.15.2.1 Introduction... 4-92 4.15.2.2 Orana Regional Action Plan... 4-92 4.15.2.3 Bogan Shire Community Strategic Plan 2026... 4-92 4.15.2.4 Bogan Shire Delivery Program (2013 2017). 4-93 4.15.3 Community Profile... 4-93 4.15.3.1 Surrounding Communities... 4-93 4.15.3.2 Community Statistics... 4-95 4.15.3.3 Community Facilities and Social Infrastructure... 4-98 4.15.3.4 Economic Profile... 4-102 4.15.4 Social and Economic Contributions... 4-102 4.15.4.1 Introduction... 4-102 4.15.4.2 Employment Contributions... 4-103 4.15.4.3 Direct Economic Contribution... 4-103 4.15.5 Management and Mitigation Measures... 4-104 4.15.6 Impact Assessment... 4-105 SECTION 5 EVALUATION AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROPOSAL... 5-1 5.1 INTRODUCTION... 5-3 5.2 ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISK... 5-3 5.3 EVALUATION AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROPOSAL... 5-6 5.3.1 Introduction... 5-6 5.3.2 Ecologically Sustainable Development... 5-12 5.3.2.1... INTRODUCTION 5-12 5.3.2.2 The Precautionary Principle... 5-12 5.3.2.3 Social Equity... 5-13 5.3.2.4 Conservation of Biological Diversity and Ecological Integrity... 5-13 5.3.2.5 Improved Valuation, Pricing and Incentive Mechanisms... 5-14 5.3.2.6 Conclusion... 5-14 5.3.3 JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROPOSAL... 5-14 5.3.3.1 Introduction... 5-14 5.3.3.2 Biophysical Considerations... 5-15 5.3.3.3 Socio-economic Considerations... 5-16 5.3.3.4 Planning Considerations... 5-17 5.3.3.5 Section 79C Considerations... 5-18 5.3.3.6 Consequences of not Proceeding with the Proposal... 5-19 5.4 CONCLUSION... 5-20 SECTION 6 REFERENCES... 6-1 SECTION 7 GLOSSARY OF TERMS, ACRONYMS AND SYMBOLS... 7-1 ix

Avoca Tank Project Report No. 859/02 CONTENTS APPENDICES (Presented in Separate Volume) Appendix 1 Development Application... A1-1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Director-General s Requirements and Requirements of Consulted Government Agencies... A2-1 Coverage of Director-General s Requirements and Requirements of Consulted Government Agencies... A3-1 Appendix 4 Statement of Commitments... A4-1 Appendix 5 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report... A5-1 Appendix 6 Ecology Assessment... A6-1 Appendix 7 Groundwater Impact Assessment... A7-1 Appendix 8 Noise and Blasting Assessment... A8-1 Appendix 9 FIGURES Figure 1.1 Historic Heritage Assessment Report... A9-1 Locality Plan and Mineral Authorities... 1-4 Figure 1.2 The Project Site... 1-7 Figure 1.3 Existing Operations... 1-8 Figure 1.4 Girilambone Copper Mine... 1-9 Figure 1.5 Tritton Copper Mine... 1-12 Figure 2.1 Indicative Project Site Layout... 2-4 Figure 2.2 Indicative Surface Facilities Layout... 2-5 Figure 2.3 Indicative Mine Design... 2-11 Figure 2.4 Proposed Mining Methods... 2-14 Figure 2.5 Waste Rock Characterisation Results... 2-21 Figure 2.6 Schematic Water Balance... 2-29 Figure 2.7 Surrounding Road Network... 2-32 Figure 2.8 Figure 4.1 Figure 4.2 Figure 4.3 Indicative Rehabilitation Domains and Final Landform... 2-42 Regional Topography and Drainage... 4-4 Project Site Topography and Drainage... 4-5 Indicative Regional Basement Geology... 4-7 Figure 4.4 Seasonal Wind Roses Nyngan Airport... 4-11 Figure 4.5 Figure 4.6 Land Ownership and Residences... 4-13 Surrounding Land Uses and Soil Test Pits... 4-14 Figure 4.7 AHIMS Search Results... 4-17 Figure 4.8 Heritage Survey Results... 4-21 Figure 4.9 Figure 4.10 Ecology Field Survey Locations, Vegetation Communities and Habitats... 4-30 Threatened Fauna Species Locations... 4-35 Figure 4.11 Noise Modelling Scenarios... 4-58 Figure 4.12 Deposited Dust Monitoring Locations... 4-69 Figure 4.13 ABS Statistical Areas... 4-89 TABLES Table 1.1 Project Site Land Titles... 1-6 Table 1.2 Existing Mineral Authorities... 1-10 Table 1.3 Table 1.4 Girilambone Copper Mine Existing Development Approvals... 1-13 Tritton Existing Development Approvals... 1-14 Table 1.5 Mineral Resource Estimate 31 December 2013... 1-15 Table 2.1 Indicative Soil Inventory... 2-9 Table 2.2 Indicative Mining Rate... 2-15 Table 2.3 Proposed Mining Equipment... 2-16 Table 2.4 Table 2.5 Table 2.6 Acid Formation Potential Classification System... 2-18 Waste Rock Characterisation Results... 2-20 Waste Rock Emplacement Design Criteria... 2-21 Table 2.7 Indicative Waste Rock Balance... 2-24 Table 2.8 Table 2.9 Table 2.10 Indicative Operational Water Balance... 2-28 Anticipated Maximum Daily Traffic Movements... 2-33 Non-Production Waste Management... 2-36 Table 2.11 Proposed Hours of Operation... 2-36 x

Report No. 859/02 Avoca Tank Project CONTENTS Table 2.12 Table 3.1 Indicative Rehabilitation Completion Criteria, Performance Indicators and Monitoring Strategy... 2-39 Key issues identified by Government Agencies... 3-6 Table 3.2 Application of the Mining SEPP... 3-13 Table 3.3 Table 3.4 CW- CMA Catchment Action Plan 2006 2016 Targets... 3-17 Central Western Transitional CAP... 3-21 Table 4.1 Monthly Meteorological Data... 4-10 Table 4.2 Table 4.3 Table 4.4 Table 4.5 AHIMS Sites Recorded within the Project Site... 4-16 Identified Aboriginal Heritage Items within the Project Site... 4-22 Listed Species with Potential to Occur... 4-28 Threatened Species with Potential to Occur within the Project Site... 4-29 Table 4.6 Fauna Survey Methods... 4-32 Table 4.7 Recorded Threatened Fauna Species... 4-34 Table 4.8 Key Threatening Processes... 4-38 Table 4.9 Groundwater Monitoring Bores... 4-44 Table 4.10 Table 4.11 Surrounding Groundwater Bores... 4-45 Project Site Groundwater Quality... 4-45 Table 4.12 Estimated Groundwater Inflow... 4-47 Table 4.13 Table 4.14 Groundwater Assumptions and Approximations... 4-48 Modelled Rate of Underground Development... 4-48 Table 4.15 Aquifer Parameters... 4-49 Table 4.16 Table 4.17 Qualitative and Quantitative Groundwater Inflow Results... 4-51 Quantitative Groundwater Drawdown Results... 4-52 Table 4.18 Identified Noise Residences... 4-55 Table 4.19 Industrial Noise Policy Criteria... 4-56 Table 4.20 Road Traffic Noise Assessment Criteria for Residential Land Uses... 4-57 Table 4.21 Equipment for Noise Modelling... 4-59 Table 4.22 Blast Calculations at 1 000kg Maximum Instantaneous Charge... 4-62 Table 4.23 Historic Heritage Sites... 4-64 Table 4.24 Table 4.25 Deposited Dust Monitoring Results 2012 and 2013... 4-69 Anticipated Maximum Daily Traffic Movements1... 4-76 Table 4.26 Bush fire Hazard Assessment... 4-81 Table 4.27 Soil Test Pit Results... 4-84 Table 4.28 Soil Analysis Results... 4-85 Table 4.29 Table 4.30 Regional Agricultural Production Nyngan-Warren 2010-11... 4-88 2006 and 2011 Census Population Statistics... 4-95 Table 4.31 2011 Census Age Statistics... 4-96 Table 4.32 Table 4.33 2011 Census Employment Statistics... 4-96 2011 Census Industry of Employment Statistics... 4-97 Table 4.34 2011 Census Income Statistics... 4-98 Table 4.35 Table 4.36 2011 Census Cost of Housing and Household Size Statistics... 4-98 2011 Census Post School Level of Education... 4-99 Table 4.37 Schools within the Bogan LGA... 4-100 Table 4.38 Direct Employment Contributions 2012/2013... 4-103 Table 4.39 Direct Supplier Contributions 2012/2013... 4-104 Table 5.1 Qualitative Consequence Rating... 5-4 Table 5.2 Qualitative Likelihood Rating... 5-5 Table 5.3 Risk Rating Matrix... 5-5 Table 5.4 Analysis of Standard and Residual Environmental Risk... 5-7 xi

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