2.6 MINING OPERATIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GLOUCESTER RESOURCES LIMITED

Section 2 – Description of the Proposal Rocky Hill Coal Project

Report No. 806/03

R. W. CORKERY & CO. PTY. LIMITED

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2.6 MINING OPERATIONS

2.6.1 Introduction

Mining would be undertaken using conventional open cut mining methods, albeit adjusted to

reflect the dipping nature of the coal seams across the Mine Area. Mining would involve a

series of activities including marking out, vegetation clearing (where required), soil removal,

overburden/interburden management and coal recovery. This section provides a description of

each component activity.

2.6.2 Mining Operations

2.6.2.1 Mark Out

The boundaries of the areas to be disturbed beyond those marked out prior to the

commencement of the site establishment and construction phase would be marked out in the

field prior to the commencement of soil stripping in those respective areas.

2.6.2.2 Vegetation Clearing

The bulk of the proposed areas of disturbance comprise cleared grazing land with isolated trees

and would not require any substantial tree clearing. Throughout the life of the Proposal,

clearing of vegetation within three native vegetation communities would be undertaken over an

area of 51.8ha causing the effective removal of 41.1ha of trees and shrubs. The 41.1ha would

comprise approximately 35.7ha of effective clearing of low, moderate and good condition Dry

sclerophyll forest, 4.3ha of remnant rainforest and 1.1ha of riparian forest. The clearing would

be required principally along the southern section of McKinleys Lane within and adjacent to the

Weismantel Pit, within the footprint of the Bowen Road 2, Avon and Main Pits, and within the

footprint of the out-of-pit overburden emplacement.

Any trees suitable for agricultural purposes would be felled and removed prior to

commencement of each clearing campaign. Clearing of the remainder of the larger vegetation

would be undertaken by chainsaw and/or a bulldozer operating with the blade positioned just

above the ground in a manner to minimise soil disturbance. Once felled, the trees and branches

would be managed using one or a combination of the following methods.

Cut or broken and placed on the reprofiled and topsoiled surfaces within the Mine

Area, particularly the areas designated as flora and fauna corridors, or stockpiled

for subsequent placement in Mine Area.

Placed within the Biodiversity Offset Area.

Mulched and subsequently incorporated into the topsoil to provide biomass.

Large stumps would be stockpiled and subsequently placed within exhausted open cut pits.

Hollow-bearing trees would not be broken or mulched but rather, retained to provide fauna

habitat within the Biodiversity Offset Area or the appropriate areas of the post mining

landform.

GLOUCESTER RESOURCES LIMITED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Rocky Hill Coal Project Section 2 – Description of the Proposal

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The smaller vegetation, i.e. pasture and/or shrubs, would be retained and collected with the

topsoil during the topsoil stripping activities to ensure the retention of the seed bank and

nutrients, as well as minimise opportunities for erosion and dust generation between clearing

and soil stripping.

Use of vegetation by each of the above methods would assist in reducing erosion, aid vegetation

establishment and/or encourage the use of the areas by fauna through the provision of habitat.

Following the initial site preparation/construction phase, clearing of the vegetation within the

Site would be preferentially undertaken using a progressive annual campaign approach, with

the extent of clearing undertaken in any campaign being just sufficient for the subsequent year

of planned mining and related activities.

The limited areas carrying a cover of predominantly native grasses would be identified and,

subject to seed presence at the time of topsoil removal and equipment limitations, would be

stripped and the seed-bearing mulch applied to areas being rehabilitated.

Where practicable, the clearing campaigns, particularly the removal of trees, would be

scheduled for the late summer to autumn period in order to minimise potential impacts on fauna

that might be nesting, roosting or otherwise utilising the areas scheduled for disturbance and to

maximise the opportunity for the collection of viable seed. Additionally, a visual inspection of

trees to be removed would be undertaken and any threatened fauna appropriately re-located.

The inspection for fauna would be undertaken immediately prior to the clearing operations or,

alternatively, procedures would be adopted to ensure any hollows are not occupied between the

time of the visual inspection and commencement of tree clearing operations.

When appropriate, and where environmental weeds are sufficiently dense in areas to be cleared,

weed spraying or other appropriate measures would be undertaken prior to the topsoil stripping

activities to avoid their proliferation on stockpiles or in subsequently rehabilitated areas.

In order to prevent erosion and sedimentation, where warranted, the following activities would

be undertaken prior to any major clearing or surface disturbance activities.

Construction of an interim diversion bank on the upslope boundary of the area to

be disturbed/cleared. The diversion bank would divert clean water from upslope

areas into natural drainage lines or to designated storages within the Site.

Construction of one or more catch drains or banks on the downslope boundary of

the area to be disturbed/cleared. Runoff collected by the catch drains or banks

would be directed to sediment dams and released off site once of a suitable

quality, i.e. unless it is required for dust suppression purposes during the site

establishment and construction phase.

The size and location of these structures would vary depending on the surface area and location

of the planned disturbance but would be based on the structure designs and construction notes

in DECC (2008). Greater detail on surface water management is presented in Section 4.7.



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2.6.2.3 Soil Removal

Topsoil and subsoil would be separately stripped in accordance with the recommendations of

GCNRC (2013a) and stockpiled in key strategic areas within the Mine Area until the sequence

of mining allows the direct transfer of topsoil and subsoil onto the final landform. Direct

replacement of topsoil and subsoil would be preferentially employed, wherever possible.

All topsoil, irrespective of thickness, would be recovered from all components within the Mine

Area to be disturbed, including the western and northern visibility barrier and haul roads.

Nominally, between 10cm and 20cm of topsoil would be stripped from within each identified

soil mapping unit (SMU) (see Table 2.5) although, where topsoil thickness is greater, all

topsoil would be recovered. Each soil mapping unit is described in detail in Section 4.8.3.

During the site establishment and construction phase, topsoil would be stockpiled in the

locations shown indicatively on Figure 2.15. Subsequent topsoil stockpile locations would be

selected to minimise any future requirement for double handling prior to its placement on the

reshaped landform, avoid drainage lines or areas of concentrated runoff or other areas where the

stockpiles may be subject to unacceptable levels of erosion, and would likely include some

areas on the constructed final landform. Topsoil stockpiles would generally be limited to a

maximum height of approximately 2m to retain the viability of the soil until it is used for

rehabilitation purposes.

Table 2.5

Indicative Soil Stripping Depths

Soil Mapping Unit (SMU)

Topsoil* (cm)

Subsoil (cm)

1 10 10-70

2 15 Nil

3 15 15-100

4 20 20-50

5 20 20-100

* Localised areas may contain thicker topsoil.

Source: GCNRC (2013a) – Section 8

Subsoil stripping and stockpiling (if necessary) would generally be limited to the footprint of

the open cut pits and out-of-pit overburden emplacements, including the eastern and central

visibility barriers, and subsequently replaced onto the reshaped final landform to re-establish a

soil profile suited to pasture growth suitable for ongoing grazing. The indicative thicknesses of

subsoil to be recovered in the various SMUs are also set out in Table 2.5. GCNRC (2013a)

recommends no salvage and stockpiling of subsoils from SMU 2 unit because of their salinity

potential. Subsoil stockpiles would generally be limited to a height of approximately 4m.

In order to minimise excessive soil deterioration during stripping, transportation and

stockpiling, the following procedures would be adopted.

Materials would be stripped strictly in accordance with the stripping depth

recommendations for individual soil mapping units presented in GCNRC (2013a)

and identified in Table 2.5.

Topsoil would be maintained in a slightly moist condition during stripping and

would not be stripped when in an excessively wet or dry condition.



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Figure 2.15 Soil Stockpile Areas

A4/colour

Inserted 22/2/13



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Less aggressive soil handling systems such as open bowl scrapers or pushing into

windrows for subsequent collection by trucks and front-end loaders would be

undertaken wherever practicable to minimise damage to the soil structure.

The surface of stockpiles would be left in as coarsely textured condition as

possible in order to promote water and air penetration, minimise erosion prior to

vegetation establishment and to prevent anaerobic zones forming.

In the event that stockpiles are to be retained for in excess of 3 months, they

would be seeded with seasonally appropriate cover crop species and fertilised to

provide stability and minimise erosion losses.

Prior to respreading previously stockpiled topsoil materials onto the reshaped

landform, particularly those areas where native vegetation establishment is a

priority, an assessment of weed infestation on the stockpiles would be undertaken

to determine if individual stockpiles require herbicide application and/or scalping

of weed species prior to spreading.

An inventory would be retained identifying the volume of topsoil and subsoil stripped and

located in each stockpile, together with a record of the source soil mapping unit to ensure

adequate materials are available for planned rehabilitation activities as mining nears

completion. The inventory would be progressively updated to reflect materials removed and re-

spread throughout the life of the Proposal. Stockpile locations and details would also identified

on operational plans.

2.6.2.4 Overburden/Interburden Management

Overburden and interburden (hereafter simply referred to collectively as “overburden”) is

required to be removed to gain access to the targeted coal seams within the individual open cut

pits. The overburden principally comprises sandstones, siltstones and occasional conglomerates,

the majority of which has been confirmed by geochemical testing to be non-acid forming and

containing excess neutralising capacity. The testing has established that in the few overburden

samples with an elevated total sulphur content, a significant proportion of the sulphur is non-

pyritic, thereby reducing the risk of acid generation from these stratigraphic units and the

overburden as a whole.

The Applicant intends to use overburden comprising principally weathered materials to

construct the western and northern visibility barrier. Any unweathered materials would be

tested to ensure they are not potentially acid forming. The use of weathered materials and non-

acid forming materials would ensure there is no potential for any leachates generated from the

barrier to flow into Waukivory Creek and/or the Avon River.

RGS Environmental (2013) recommends not to selectively handle bulk overburden or CHPP

rejects and to emplace them randomly (and blended) in the in-pit and out-of-pit overburden

emplacements. However, as a precautionary measure, all uneconomic coal seams, coal seam

roof or floor materials and/or CHPP rejects would be emplaced a minimum 10m away from all

final batters or upper surfaces.



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Blasting of overburden would involve the drilling of 229mm diameter holes (or similar) with

nominally 80 to 160 holes per blast and hole depths of either 15m or 30m. It is proposed that

the maximum instantaneous charge would generally vary from 414kg to 828kg (or larger in

more distant areas where application of larger MICs could readily satisfy the blasting amenity

criteria) and all blasts would be initiated with either an electronic or a non-electric (NONEL)

system. All blasts would be designed to ensure the airblast or ground vibration criteria are not

exceeded. Whenever necessary, MICs would be reduced by, for example decking the

individual blast holes (see Section 4.3). Each 30m blast would result in up to approximately

260 000bcm being fragmented while each 15m blast would fragment up to approximately

130 000bcm of overburden. As discussed in Section 2.3.4, the south to north direction of

mining in each open cut pit would result in most blasts being directed southwards with the blast

envelope also focussed in that direction.

The number of blasts would vary from approximately 20 to 100 in any one year with up to a

likely maximum of four blasts per week.

During the site establishment and construction phase, overburden would be removed from both

the pre-strip area within the Main Pit, Bowen Road 2 Pit and the Weismantel Pit. Figure 2.16

displays the areas to be disturbed during the site establishment and construction phase and in

subsequent years. The overburden recovered during the site establishment and construction

phase would be placed within the western and northern visibility barrier which extends north,

south and west of the CHPP with the excess overburden, together with that generated from the

initial development of the Weismantel Pit, being used to create the visibility barrier along the

western margin of the Weismantel Pit (the central visibility barrier). A similar barrier would be

progressively developed along the western margin of the Year 2 out-of-pit overburden

emplacement area prior to bulk overburden emplacement to its east. This latter barrier (the

eastern visibility barrier), the majority of which would be enveloped in about Year 5, would

screen the bulk overburden placement activities to its east. Figure 2.17 schematically displays

the construction and final shaping of the central visibility barrier. A similar approach would be

adopted for the construction and final shaping of the eastern visibility barrier.

Overburden would be placed within the proposed footprint of disturbance either beyond the

open cut pits (out-of-pit emplacement) or within the open cut pits (in-pit emplacement). The

overburden would be placed in a manner that would ultimately create a single landform within

the footprint of disturbance. The out-of-pit overburden emplacement would comprise two

sections, namely an interim overburden emplacement and a permanent overburden

emplacement (see Figure 2.5).

The interim overburden emplacement, covering approximately 68ha and containing

approximately 13 million loose m3 of overburden, is located on the northern end of the

overburden emplacement and would be removed following the completion of all coal extraction

activities and placed into the void remaining within the Main Pit. The permanent out-of-pit and

in-pit overburden emplacements would cover approximately 350ha and contain approximately

140 million loose m3 prior to backfilling the Main Pit final void.

Based on the drilling results, it is anticipated that the upper weathered section of the profile

within each open cut pit would be amenable to free-digging or removal by scrapers, with the

underlying consolidated material requiring blasting prior to its removal.



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Figure 2.16 Indicative Annual Sequence of Surface Disturbance

A4/Colour

Inserted 22/2/13



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Figure 2.17 Schematic Central Visibility Barrier Construction

A4/Colour

Inserted 22/2/13



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With the progressive northerly extension of the out-of-pit emplacement in association with the

sequential development of the Weismantel Pit, the Avon Pit and the sub-pits within the Main

Pit (Years 2 to 4), and the subsequent westerly extensions of the overburden emplacement

(Years 5 to 7), a similar approach, i.e. creation of an initial westerly facing barrier with active

overburden disposal to the east, would be adopted for the management of overburden produced

which is in excess of the void space available in-pit for emplacement. During the latter stages

of the development of the Main Pit, overburden materials from the pit would also be stockpiled

adjacent to and over the southern end of the pit and on the eastern side of the pit for subsequent

emplacement in the remaining void at the cessation of coal extraction. Overburden from the

northern extent of the out-of-pit overburden emplacement adjacent to the retained Mine Area

access road would similarly be reclaimed and emplaced within the remaining void.

The western section of the western and northern visibility barrier, which would remain in place

for the duration of coal extraction activities, would be constructed with outer slopes generally

of 1:5 (V:H) to 1:4 (V:H). The northern section of the western and northern visibility barrier,

which, to some extent, would similarly remain in place for the duration of coal extraction,

would be constructed with outer slopes generally of 1:4 (V:H) to 1:3 (V:H).

The inner slopes of both sections of the barrier would be approximately 1:1.5 (V:H) to

2:1 (V:H), depending on the method of construction. The external slopes would be

progressively revegetated with a mixture of grasses, shrubs and small trees. Immediately prior

to the final years of coal extraction in the Main Pit, the bulk of the northern section of the

western and northern visibility barrier would be removed to expose the final area to be mined.

An 8m high section of the barrier would be retained adjacent to the northern boundary of the

Mine Area to continue to provide both visual and noise protection for earthmoving equipment

operating at or near ground level in the northern end of the Main Pit. The bulk of materials

forming the western section of the western and northern visibility barrier and the remainder of

the northern section of the barrier would be placed into the Main Pit void on cessation of coal

extraction activities.

The central and eastern visibility barriers would be constructed with outer slopes to the west of

1:3(V:H) and, depending on their effective life, would be temporarily vegetated with a range of

grasses, shrubs and trees to reduce the barriers’ visibility and enhance the screening of activities

to the east.

The final surface of the out-of-pit overburden emplacement would be constructed with slopes

and form similar to those of the existing landform, i.e. slopes of 5º to 14º and a landform

comprising ridges and valleys (see Section 2.15.5)

2.6.2.5 Coal Recovery

The coal exposed in each open cut pit would be removed by excavator and transported by haul

truck to the ROM coal stockpile adjacent to the CHPP. Some coal may be dozed off in areas

where the dip of the seams permits the safe operation of a bulldozer. Given the steep dip of the

coal seams, limited low energy blasting may also be undertaken to fracture the coal exposed in

the pit floor once the main floor level is achieved, thereby potentially enabling the excavator to

remove up to a further 15m of coal down the dip of the seam without any substantial additional

overburden removal.



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2.6.3 Mining Sequence

Figure 2.16 displays the proposed annual sequence of disturbance and open cut pit

development throughout the life of the Proposal.

Figure 2.18 displays the stage of development at the end of the site establishment and

construction phase and each of Years 2 to 4 while Figure 2.19 displays the development status

at the end of Years 5 to 8, Year 14 and approximately 2 years beyond the cessation of coal

extraction when the final landform is completed.

Plate 2.1 presents a set of isometric views showing to the development status of the Mine Area

at Years 0.5, 2.5, 4.25, 7.75, 10.5, 13 and following the cessation of all rehabilitation activities.

2.6.4 Overburden Removal and Coal Extraction Rates

Table 2.6 presents the forecast annual ROM coal and overburden production quantities. This

forecast is based upon the production of approximately 23 million tonnes of ROM coal in a

13½ year period, i.e. from the commencement of the site establishment and construction phase

to the end of coal extraction. As outlined in Section 2.2.3, up to 25 million tonnes of coal may

be potentially recoverable within the Mine Area, although a range of operational and economic

issues could restrict coal production to the nominated 23 million tonnes. In the event all or a

proportion of the additional 2 million tonnes of coal can be economically recovered through, for

example, the extraction of additional coal from the pit floor or the identification of further seam

duplications, the projected period of coal extraction, based on the schedule in Table 2.6, would

extend for up to a further year.

Table 2.6

Estimated Annual Overburden and ROM Coal Production

Year

Totals

Overburden (bcm) Coal (t)

1* 6 321 000 600 000

2 7 384 000 1 033 000

3 9 751 000 1 320 000

4 9 166 000 1 775 000

5 13 508 000 1 758 000

6 13 197 000 2 000 000

7 11 577 000 2 000 000

8 11 577 000 2 000 000

9 8 841 000 2 000 000

10 8 841 000 2 000 000

11 8 841 000 2 000 000

12 8 841 000 2 000 000

13 8 841 000 2 000 000

14 3 042 000 509 000

Totals 129 723 000 22 995 000

* Year 1 equates to the site establishment and construction phase as described in Section 2.5



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Plate 2.1 Development Sequence Isometric Views

Inserted 15/4/13



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Figure 2.18 Mine Development Sequence – Years 1 - 4

A4/Colour

Inserted 12/03/13



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Figure 2.19 Mine Development Sequence – Years 5 - Final

A3/Colour

Inserted 12/03/13

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Based on the current planning, the Applicant expects to extract up to 2.0 million tonnes of

ROM coal per year, commencing at a rate of approximately 0.6 million tonnes in the fourth

quarter of Year 1 and subsequently ramping up to full production over subsequent years. A

production rate of 2.0Mtpa equates to approximately 7 200t of ROM coal per day based on the

proposed six day work roster. Table 2.6 shows that the rate of overburden removal would vary

throughout the life of the Proposal from approximately 6.3 million bcm during the site

establishment and construction phase to approximately 13.5 million bcm in Year 5.

Notwithstanding the above, approval is sought for a mining rate of up to 2.5Mtpa ROM coal

production to reflect, for example, variations in the schedule for the Proposal which may result

in less coal production in one year but the exposure or availability of more coal in the

subsequent year or years; the occurrence of further seam duplications such as have been

identified by drilling in the area of the planned Bowen Road 2 Pit, or the ability to extract coal

down the dip of the seams from the floor of the pits without any substantial additional

overburden removal. In the event a maximum production level of 2.5Mt of ROM coal is

achieved in any year, the increased coal production would be offset by a reduced quantity of

overburden removed.

2.6.5 Mobile Equipment

Table 2.7 presents an indicative list of the proposed mobile equipment the Applicant intends to

use for its mining and CHPP operations. The type and size of equipment has been selected to

be sufficient for the material movement requirements in any year and sufficiently flexible to

enable the mining of steeply dipping coal seams in constrained areas. The nominated

equipment manufacturer is also indicative although the equipment models nominated are those

used for the noise assessment (see Section 4.2.7). The Applicant recognises that the combined

noise level of the entire fleet on site is the important factor in achieving compliance with noise

criteria. Consequently, adjustments to the number of items or equipment models may be

implemented from time to time to reflect production requirements or improvements in

equipment noise attenuation, provided the combined noise level of the fleet still satisfies the

relevant noise criteria at individual receptors as presented in Section 4.2.

Table 2.7

Indicative Mobile Equipment List

Page 1 of 2

Year 1 Years 2 – 4 Years 5 – 8 Years 9 – 14

Overburden Moved (Annual bcm)

6 554 000 7 848 000 – 8 466 000

12 353 000 – 13 424 000

9 367 000

Coal Extracted (Annual t) 600 000 1 330 000 – 1 700 000

1 983 000 – 2 000 000

2 000 000

Type Model Year 1 Year 2 – 4 Year 5 – 8 Year 9 – 14

D E D E N D E N D E N

Drill Rotary SKF12 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 0-1 2 2 2

Excavator 40t (345D) 1 0 1 0 0 1 0-1 0-1 1 1 0

120t (PC1250) 1 0 1 0-1 0 1 1 0-1 1 1 1

200t (994-200) 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0-1 1 1 0-1

350t (EX3600) 1 1 1 1 0-1 1-2 1-2 0-2 2 2 0-2

Haul truck Cat 789XQ and Haulmax

8 6-8 9-12 6-12 3-4 12-14 12-14 8-13 15-16 15-16 4-6



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Table 2.7 (Cont’d)

Indicative Mobile Equipment List

Page 2 of 2

Year 1 Years 2 – 4 Years 5 – 8 Years 9 – 14

Overburden Moved (Annual bcm)

6 554 000 7 848 000 – 8 466 000

12 353 000 – 13 424 000

9 367 000

Coal Extracted (Annual t) 600 000 1 330 000 – 1 700 000

1 983 000 – 2 000 000

2 000 000

Type Model Year 1 Year 2 – 4 Year 5 – 8 Year 9 – 14

D E D E N D E N D E N

Scraper 657G 3 0 3 0 0 1-3 0 0 1 0 0

Grader 14M 1 1 1 1 1 1-2 1-2 1 1-2 1-2 1

Front end Loader

Cat 988 0 0 1 0-1 0 1 1 0-1 1 1 0

Bulldozer D10/D11 2 1 3 1-2 0-1 3 3 2 3 3 1-2

Rubber Tyred 844RTD

1 1 1 1 0 1-2 1-2 0 2 2 0-1

Water Cart Road Truck and Cat 777C

2 1-2 2 1-2 1-2 2 2 2 2 2 1-2

Bobcat 0 0 1 0-1 0 1 1 0-1 1 1 0

D = Day E = Evening N = Night

The use of mobile earthmoving equipment nominated in Table 2.7 during the night-time period

(10:00pm to 4:00am) would only occur following confirmation through monitoring that the

night-time noise criteria can be satisfied and validation of the predicted noise levels during the

evening period.

2.7 PROCESSING OPERATIONS, STOCKPILES AND PRODUCTS

2.7.1 CHPP Design and Layout

Figure 2.7 displays the general layout of the 12ha pad incorporating CHPP buildings,

workshop and associated facilities, and ROM and product coal stockpiles. The pad would be on

the western side of the Mine Area, east of and adjacent to the western and northern visibility

barrier. The pad would be constructed to an elevation of approximately 115m AHD,

i.e. approximately 25m to 40m below the top of the western and northern visibility barrier,

using cut and fill methods to maximise the visual and acoustic benefits of the adjacent barrier.

2.7.2 ROM Coal Stockpiling

All ROM coal from the active open cut pit(s) would be delivered to the ROM coal stockpile

(Figure 2.7), a 2ha area adjacent to the CHPP building which would provide sufficient storage

for approximately 100 000t of ROM coal.

The ROM coal would be stockpiled to a height of up to 15m above the floor of the ROM pad,

or a minimum 10m below the top of the adjacent western and northern visibility barrier, and in

the vicinity of the ROM feeder to the CHPP.



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2.7.3 Processing Operations

The CHPP would be PLC controlled and fully instrumented and incorporate the following (or

similar) equipment for coal handling, pre-treatment, coarse and fine coal cleaning, washed coal

handling and coarse and fine reject management.

Plant feeder/reclaimer.

Crushing station.

Feed conveyors to the plant.

Desliming screen.

Dense media cyclone circuits

and spirals.

Jamieson flotation cell.

Horizontal belt filter.

30m diameter thickener.

Banks of dewatering units for the fine reject.

Sumps, pumps, pipelines.

Above–ground conveyors from the plant (to

product stockpiles) incorporating slingers.

Underground conveyor (from product

stockpiles).

Reject conveyor from the Plant.

Rejects stockpile and/or bin.

The CHPP would be supported by its own offices and amenities area located adjacent to the

maintenance workshop.

With the exception of the feeder/reclaimer, sizing station, rejects stockpile or bin, ROM and

product coal conveyors and thickener, the major plant components would be enclosed within

two buildings with a combined floor area of approximately 1 500m2. The main building would

have an overall height of approximately 21m, with the smaller building which contains the belt

filters, having a height of approximately 6m.

Although the main building would generally be shielded visually to the north, west and

southwest by the western and northern visibility barrier, as a minimum, the upper decks would

be clad with a colorbond material of a colour selected to blend with the background in order to

minimise any potential visual impact from more elevated vantage points, e.g. from the Bucketts

walking track, and to further reduce noise.

Figure 2.20 displays the indicative coal processing flowsheet and a description of the process is

provided as follows.

ROM coal delivered from the active open cut pit(s) would be loaded by front-end loader into an

above ground feeder which would supply the CHPP by conveyor.

The ROM coal would initially pass to a two-stage crushing station where it would be reduced to

a top size of 50mm prior to being transferred to the dense medium cyclone (DMC) plant. The

DMC plant would comprise three modules within the main coal preparation plant building.

i) A fine coal module where the coal would be mixed with water before passing to

desliming screens to separate the coal into two size fractions namely, >1.5mm to

<50mm, and <1.5mm.



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Figure 2.20 CHPP Processing Schematic

A4/Colour

Inserted 22/2/13



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ii) A primary medium cyclone module where the coal would be mixed with

magnetite to gain the correct specific gravity for processing and split into a low

ash (coking coal) product and a middlings ash stream. After draining and rinsing

both streams, the low ash product would be dewatered before being conveyed to

the coking coal product stockpile while the middlings ash stream would be passed

to the secondary medium cyclone module.

iii) In the secondary medium cyclone module, the middlings stream would be

separated into a high ash (steaming coal) product stream which would be

subsequently dewatered and conveyed to the steaming coal product stockpile and

a reject (waste) stream.

Fine material passing through the de-sliming screen in the fine coal module would be pumped

to a number of desliming cyclones that split the feedstock into a coarser sized particle stream

and a superfine particle stream. The coarser particle stream would then be separated into a

saleable product quality stream and a reject stream that would eventually be discarded from

the plant, while the superfine stream discharge would be fed to flotation cells where the

feedstock particles would be divided into a product quality stream and a fine rejects stream.

In order to ensure the plant operates on a closed-water circuit basis to minimise water losses,

each product stream exiting from the plant would be dewatered using belt vacuum filters or

similar equipment located in the elongated annex adjacent to the main CHPP building.

2.7.4 Product Coal Stockpiling

The coal products produced within the CHPP would be transferred to and stockpiled in a

designated product stockpile area covering approximately 3ha adjacent to the CHPP building

using a slinger conveyor arrangement or similar load-out system. The coal product stockpile

area, which would also incorporate the overland conveyor load-out system, would have the

capacity to store a total of approximately 100 000t of product coal in separate stockpiles to cater

for the different products produced. The product coal stockpiles would be up to approximately

10m in height or approximately 15m below the top of the immediately adjacent section of the

western and northern visibility barrier.

2.7.5 Management of CHPP Rejects

The washing process in the CHPP would generate both coarse and fine rejects comprising

claystones, siltstones, fine grained sandstones and carbonaceous materials.

At maximum production, the CHPP would generate an estimated 0.75Mtpa to 1Mtpa of coarse

and fine rejects, with the coarse rejects anticipated to represent around 70% of the total rejects.

The quantity of rejects produced would depend upon customer product specifications and the

resultant yield.

The fine rejects discharged from the flotation cells would be pumped to a thickener from where

it would be conveyed to the belt filters press which would discharge their dewatered filter

cakes onto the plant’s common reject conveyor. The combined coarse and fine rejects, with a

total moisture content of approximately 20%, would be conveyed to either a rejects stockpile or



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overhead bin from which it would be collected and hauled to the active overburden

emplacement area where it would be mixed with the overburden from the active open cut pits.

There would be no defined permanent rejects emplacement area.

The combined coarse and fine rejects would initially be placed into the out-of-pit emplacements

in a random manner and blended with the overburden. This approach would enable any

potentially acid forming CHPP coal rejects to be neutralised by the predominantly non acid

forming overburden.

As discussed in Section 2.3.3.3, some of the CHPP coal rejects would be potentially acid

forming and accordingly, the placement of the rejects would be undertaken in accordance with

the recommendation of RGS Environmental (2013), i.e. the rejects would be placed at least

10m away from the long term batters or surface of the permanent out-of-pit emplacement.

When exhausted open cut pits become available for backfilling, the CHPP coal rejects would be

similarly placed randomly (and blended) with overburden with no rejects placed within 10m of

the final land surface.

In the event the fine rejects dewatering system is not functional at any time, the fine rejects

would be either placed within:

the void developed during the limited pre-strip of the Main Pit and subsequently

recovered as part of Main Pit development;

within the southern end of the Bowen Road 2 Pit (for the first 4 to 5 years of

mining operations);

the available void space within previously exhausted open cut pits which are

being backfilled with overburden; or

in selected deposition areas within the active open cut pits.

2.7.6 Hours of Operation

During the early years of operation, the CHPP would likely operate on day shift only. In order

to process the coal at higher ROM coal production rates, the CHPP would operate on two shifts

from 7:00am to 10:00pm Monday to Saturday.

2.8 PRODUCT COAL DESPATCH

2.8.1 Introduction

All coal products would be destined to an export terminal at the Port of Newcastle. Orders for

coal to be delivered to the Port would be provided to the Applicant with advanced notice

(typically 4 to 7 days) for the required quantity of coal to be delivered to the stockpiles at the

export facility in readiness for a ship’s arrival. The Applicant anticipates individual shipments

from the Port of Newcastle would typically range from 20 000 to 30 000 tonnes.



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The despatch of coal from the Site to the Port of Newcastle would involve a two-stage process

within the Site. Firstly, product coal would be conveyed via the overland conveyor to a surge

bin and train load-out (TLO) bin within the Rail Load-out Facility, and secondly, the loading of

coal from the TLO bin into trains to be transported from the Site to the Port of Newcastle. Both

activities would operate independently of each other given sufficient storage capacity would be

available in the surge bin and TLO bin to load one train.

2.8.2 Conveying Coal to Rail Load-out Facility

Loading of coal onto the overland conveyor would be undertaken by a bulldozer or front-end

loader pushing or loading the desired product or product mix from the product coal stockpile

into the below ground pan feeders or a similar recovery system and onto the overland conveyor.

The products would be conveyed to the Rail Load-out Facility using the overland conveyor at a

rate of approximately 1 500tph.

The coal products would initially be delivered to the surge bin after which they would be

conveyed to the train load-out (TLO) bin at a rate of 3 500tph. Overland conveyor operations

would cease once both the surge and TLO bins are full.

The conveying operation would typically take up to approximately 2.5 hours to load both the

surge bin and TLO bin. This activity would be undertaken during the day time, or possibly

evening period, unless a train is scheduled to arrive before 10:00am. In reality, the overland

conveyor would rarely operate concurrently, if at all, during periods when the Rail Load-out

Facility is operational with the likely extent of occurrence projected to be no more than 3 hours

in any month. Based on an average of approximately 11 trains per week, at maximum

production, the overland conveyor would operate for less than approximately 30 hours per

week.

2.8.3 Train Loading and Despatch

Based on the dimensions of the rail loop and current axle load limitations on the North Coast

Railway Line, trains with a nominal capacity of 3 000 tonnes would arrive at the train loop and,

after leaving the North Coast Railway Line, approach the TLO bin on the uphill grade, thereby

enabling loading to be carried out under tension and minimising shunt noise. The empty

wagons would be sequentially filled with the telescopic loading shute lowered to approximately

100mm above the first wagon prior to the commencement of filling.

During train loading, electronic systems on the TLO bin would be used to control and monitor

the supply of coal from the surge bin, the rate of recharge to the bin (from the surge bin), the

various aspects of train loading operations including shute height, the commencement and

cessation of loading each wagon and the train, train speed, load distribution and height and

occurrence of spillages, and initiate the necessary response mechanisms including stopping

loading.

Each train would be loaded within a period of approximately 1.5hrs. Once loaded, the train

would remain stationary, and idling, until its allocated time to leave the rail loop and return to

the Port of Newcastle.



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At maximum production, an average of less than two trains would be despatched daily, with

trains typically despatched between one and three times per day. It should be noted, however,

that the timetable for the arrival and departure of trains would be dictated by ARTC who

manage the rail paths to the Port of Newcastle in consultation with the Hunter Valley Coal

Chain Coordinator Limited (HVCCC). Based upon the above despatch rate, the Rail Load-out

Facility would operate for between 1.5 hours and 4.5 hours per day and typically approximately

17 hours per week based on an average of 11 trains per week.

2.9 SERVICES

2.9.1 Power

The Applicant estimates that the annual power consumption during those years when the ROM

coal processed is 2Mt would be approximately 13 000MW hours with the total power

consumption throughout the operational life of the Proposal approximating 136 000MW hours.

Discussions with electricity service providers have established that electrical power would be

provided to the Mine Area and Rail Load-out Facility from a new take-off point from the

132kV TransGrid high voltage power line from Stroud Road to Taree and an associated

Essential Energy-owned substation and 11kV aerial feed to on-site usage areas and associated

infrastructure (see Figure 2.21). Further discussion on the proposed power network and the

components of the Essential Energy-owned substation is provided in Section 4.15.2.2.

The existing 132kV power line that traverses the eastern side of the Mine Area (Figure 2.21)

would be re-located prior to any substantial disturbance within the existing power line

easement. Preliminary planning for re-location of the power line has commenced with an

indicative 100m wide corridor for the re-located 132kV feeder displayed on Figure 2.21.

TransGrid has indicated its satisfaction with the proposed corridor alignment, an alignment that

would also satisfy its requirements should it proceed with Option 1 of the 330kV Stroud-

Lansdowne Project as identified in the July 2012 Options Selection Report and discussed in

Section 4.15.1.

2.9.2 Water

Water for the mining operation would be obtained from the following sources listed

preferentially in order of use (with appropriate licences in place, where required).

1. Groundwater and surface water accumulating within the various open cut pits

throughout the life of the Proposal.

2. Surface water drawn from on-site environmental or sediment dams.

3. Waukivory Creek and/or the Avon River within the limitation of the Applicant’s

existing or purchased licences.



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Figure 2.21 Proposed Power Lines

A4/Colour

Inserted 06/03/13



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Potable quality water requirements would be sourced from MidCoast Water via the Gloucester

town water supply. The town water supply would be piped from the existing mains within the

Rail Load-out Facility and then onto the Mine Area via the overland conveyor.

Projected water usage on site would vary throughout the life of the Proposal depending on the

nature or mix of activities being undertaken, i.e. site establishment/construction or operations,

overburden production with ROM coal production level and CHPP throughput, employment

level, and the extent of area disturbed and not rehabilitated and therefore a potential source of

dust lift-off and dispersal.

During the site establishment and construction phase, the Applicant would draw upon water in

the existing dams on site, new dams, the active open cut pits and if necessary, pump water from

Waukivory Creek or the Avon River.

At maximum production, the Applicant estimates the on-site water usage for operational

purposes would be as follows.

CHPP (make-up water) – up to 400MLpa.

Dust suppression (roads, stockpiles, crushing station, coal transfer points, etc.) –

350MLpa.

Offices and amenities area and Workshops 6MLpa (i.e. 0.04ML per person/year).

The water balance prepared for the Proposal has established that the water requirements for

both the CHPP and dust suppression could be satisfied through the use of the saline

water/surface water accumulating in the open cut pits. The water balance has established there

would be excess quantities of saline water from time to time throughout the life of the Proposal,

some of which could be used to reduce dust lift-off from the active overburden emplacements.

The Applicant would minimise the use of water sourced from Waukivory Creek or the Avon

River under licence by:

maximising the use of groundwater collecting in the open cut pits and sediment-

laden water collected in sediment dams;

maximising the recovery and re-use of water in the coal preparation process

through the use of fine rejects dewatering; and

where appropriate and warranted, the use of chemical dust suppressants in lieu of

water on the internal road network.

Up to 6ML per year of mains potable water would be used in the on-site amenities for the

workforce. All necessary approvals and/or certificates would be obtained from Gloucester

Shire Council and/or MidCoast Water to enable the mains potable water to be used on site.

This water would be drawn from the existing connections to the Gloucester Water Supply

System at the Rail Load-out Facility.

The management of any excess water pumped from the active open cut pits is addressed in

Sections 4.6.6 and 4.7.4.4.



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2.9.3 Fuel

The mining equipment fleet would be diesel-fuelled with bulk diesel stored adjacent to the

workshop in two bunded above-ground tanks with a total capacity of approximately 220kL.

The more mobile equipment such as the haul trucks would be refuelled adjacent to the on-site

tanks within a bunded refuelling pad while the less mobile equipment such as the bulldozers,

excavators and drills would be refuelled in pit or elsewhere within the Mine Area using a

mobile service truck.

Based on the production schedule presented in Table 2.6, annual diesel fuel usage is projected

to increase from approximately 4.8ML during the site establishment and construction phase to a

maximum of around 15ML in Years 5 and 6, the years of highest materials movement,

averaging around 10ML thereafter.

Fuel would be delivered in semi-trailer tankers at a rate ranging from approximately

three tanker loads per week during the site establishment and construction phase to

approximately 10 tanker loads per week in Years 5 and 6.

2.9.4 Communications

Underground cables would be laid to the site offices and amenities area, CHPP office and

workshop and Rail Load-out Facility for the telephone, internet and data transfer requirements

for the Proposal. Mobile phones and 2-way radio would also be used.

2.9.5 Explosives

ANFO-based bulk explosives would be used within the Mine Area to fracture the overburden

that cannot be removed economically by free digging, with NONEL or electronic detonators

used for blast initiation. The ammonium nitrate pril, emulsion, diesel and other blasting

requirements would be stored within an explosives compound containing an emulsion tank,

diesel tank, 1.2t pril bulka bags and one or more shipping containers.

Detonators and boosters, generally transported to the Mine Area within 24 hours of each blast,

would be stored in two licenced magazines, one designated for the storage of boosters and the

other for detonators.

All storage facilities for explosives components would be designed in accordance with the

relevant standards and guidelines, including AS 2187.2 – 2006 Explosives – Storage, Transport

and Use, Part 2 Explosives and, as required, covered by a relevant dangerous goods licence.

During the initial years of the Proposal, the explosives compound would be positioned within

the area assigned for interim overburden emplacement and located at a distance from the Site

boundary that satisfies the minimum proximity requirements identified in SEPP 33 (see

Appendix 4). Beyond that time, the compound would be re-located to the southern margin of

the rehabilitated out-of-pit overburden emplacement. Each location would be at least 750m

from the boundary of the Site.



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2.9.6 Chemicals/Hazardous Materials

In addition to diesel and explosives, a range of other chemicals or products would be stored on

site at the workshop, CHPP or at the offices including:

batteries;

coolants;

grease;

oils (in 9 000L transtanks);

gases (including oxygen, acetylate,

nitrogen, butane-propane);

degreasers;

spray paints;

sealants and adhesive compounds;

magnetite;

flocculant;

collector (kerosene or fuel oil); and

frother (tetra-ethyl butyl).

The Applicant would develop a chemicals management system and utilise the Chemalert

system or similar, with Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) retained for all chemicals used on

the Site.

Transportation, storage and handling of all chemical products would be undertaken in

accordance with the relevant codes of practice such as Transport – Storage and Handling of

Dangerous Goods Code of Practice 2005 and National Work Health and Safety Act 2011. The

relevant procedures within the system would also address the planning required for the

management of any emergencies that may arise from the use of any chemicals or hazardous

materials used on site.

2.10 WASTE MANAGEMENT

2.10.1 Introduction

The non-production wastes that would be generated during the proposed operations throughout

the life of the Proposal would include the following.

General domestic type wastes from the site offices and amenities area, CHPP

office, ablution and first aid facilities.

Routine maintenance consumables and waste oil.

Sewage.

Scrap steel and other wastes remaining from equipment maintenance.

2.10.2 Domestic Type Waste

Wastes originating from the offices and amenities area, ablutions and firstaid facilities, together

with select waste from the workshop would be treated as general waste. Two collection streams

would be provided with recyclables separated and placed in skips for independent collection.

The principal recyclables collected would be steel, aluminium, glass, paper and cardboard.

Closed garbage bins would be located adjacent to buildings and would be collected on an as

needs basis by licensed waste contractors and the contents disposed of at the Gloucester Waste

Depot, west of Gloucester.

The Applicant estimates approximately 250m3 of domestic mixed solid waste and 125m

3 of

recyclables would be produced annually.



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2.10.3 Maintenance Waste

Routine maintenance of mobile mining and earthmoving equipment would be undertaken

within the on-site workshop or, in the case of any major refurbishment activities which cannot

be undertaken on site, at equipment maintenance facilities away from the Site.

Waste oil would be stored in a 9 000L self bunded transtank from which it would be collected

and removed from site for disposal/reuse by an appropriately licensed waste recycler. All other

waste hydrocarbons associated with equipment maintenance would be stored in an

appropriately designed concrete bunded area, with storage capacity 10% greater than the

volume being stored, to await collection.

All routine maintenance consumables would be treated as general mixed solid waste. Separate

collection skips would be maintained at the workshop for cardboard and metals.

2.10.4 Sewage

It is proposed to construct and operate a three tank sewage management system adjacent to the

site offices capable of managing sewage from up to 150 persons. The tanks would comprise

five zones, namely a balance zone, primary zone, extended aeration zone, clarification zone and

disinfection/irrigation chamber. All water treated through the system would be irrigated within

the site offices and amenities area or used in the coal preparation process. A scaled down

version of this system or similar would be constructed adjacent to the office near the CHPP.

All irrigation from the systems would be undertaken in compliance with the EPA’s guidelines

“The Use of Effluent by Irrigation”.

2.11 ROAD TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION

2.11.1 Traffic During Site Establishment and Construction

Table 2.8 lists the total number of light and heavy vehicle movements that would be generated

during the site establishment and construction phase, together with an estimate of daily

movements. The traffic movements would occur principally to and from the Mine Area (off

Waukivory Road) and the Rail Load-out Facility (off The Bucketts Way). A small proportion

of the vehicle movements would occur on Fairbairns Road during the period of overland

conveyor construction.

Table 2.8

Traffic Movements* During Site Establishment and Construction Phase

Light Vehicles (No. per day) Heavy Vehicles (No. per day)

Mine Area (off Waukivory Road) 20 - 210 0 - 10

Rail Load-out Facility (off The Bucketts Way)

10 - 50 0 - 20

Fairbairns Road 0 - 10 0 - 8

* 1 return trip generates 2 movements.



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Approximately 50 of the heavy vehicle movements would be low loaders, some of which would

carry over-sized loads, albeit with permits. Over-sized loads originating from the south would

be directed to travel either via Jacks Road or the Gloucester Heavy Vehicle Bypass and

Waukivory Road to avoid Gloucester’s central business district, with the selection of the

preferred route depending on the completion date for the construction of a new bridge on Jacks

Road crossing the Avon River. Over-sized loads originating from the east or north, and

delivering equipment or materials to the Mine Area, would be directed to travel along

Waukivory Road and not through Gloucester while those vehicles with loads originating from

the east or north and destined for the Rail Load-out Facility would travel via the Gloucester

Heavy Vehicle Bypass.

Section 4.9.4.2 reviews the potential changes in traffic levels across the local road network as a

result of the proposed traffic movements during the site establishment and construction phase.

2.11.2 Traffic Throughout Operations

Table 2.9 lists the anticipated total annual and daily number of light and heavy vehicle

movements per day travelling on the local road network throughout the life of the Proposal with

the range in daily traffic levels reflecting the likely variation on a daily basis. It is expected that

the bulk of the light vehicle movements would involve travel to and from Gloucester township

with 70% arriving and departing via Jacks Road and 30% arriving and departing via Waukivory

Road.

Table 2.9

Traffic Movements* Throughout the Life of the Operations

Light Vehicles (No. per Day)

Heavy Vehicles (No. per Day)

Mine Area (off Waukivory Road) 186 - 294 4 - 16

Rail Load-out Facility (off The Bucketts Way)

6 - 10 0 - 2

Fairbairns Road 2 - 8 0 - 2

* 1 return trip generates 2 movements.

The light vehicle traffic would be concentrated around shift start and finish times. Essentially,

light vehicles would enter the Mine Area during four 1-hour periods and leave the Mine Area

during four 1-hour periods and one ½ hour period. The indicative number of light vehicles

entering or leaving the Mine Area during each period would be as follows.

Arriving Departing

6:00am – 7:00am : 49 – 76 3:00pm – 4:00pm : 17 – 35

7:00am – 8:00am : 2 – 4 4:00pm – 5:00pm : 4 – 11

2:00pm – 3:00pm : 6 – 24 5:30pm – 6:30pm : 14 – 51

4:30pm – 5:30pm* : 17 – 36 10:00pm – 10:30pm : 6 – 24

4:00am – 4:30am* : 17 – 36

* Excluding the Site Establishment and Construction Phase.

A detailed breakdown of the number of light vehicles entering and leaving the Mine Area

throughout the life of the Proposal is presented in the Traffic Assessment in Volume 3 Part 9 of

the Specialist Consultant Studies Compendium.



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2.12 HOURS OF OPERATION AND LIFE OF THE PROPOSAL

2.12.1 Hours of Operation

Table 2.10 lists the proposed operational hours for the range of activities proposed within the

Site.

Table 2.10

Operational Hours

Activity Days* Hours Comments

Pre-start activities Monday – Saturday 6:00am – 7:00am

Mining Monday – Saturday 7:00am – 10:00pm

Monday – Saturday 10:00pm – 4:00am Subject to confirmation by modelling and real-time monitoring that night-time and sleep disturbance criteria are satisfied at privately-owned receptors, mining would continue from 10:00pm on each of Monday to Saturday and extend to 4:00am on the following day. There would be no mining activity between 4:00am and 7:00am on any day.

CHPP Monday – Saturday 7:00am – 10:00pm Hours and days worked to match production

Coal Product Despatch (overland conveyor / train loading

Monday – Sunday Any time As required to satisfy ARTC product despatch schedule.

Maintenance Monday – Saturday 7:00am – 10:00pm

Sunday 8:00am – 10:00pm

Monday – Sunday All other hours If activities are not audible at privately-owned receptors.

* Public Holidays excluded

Operations within the Mine Area

Operations within the Mine Area and related activities would initially be undertaken between

7:00am and 10:00pm Monday to Saturday, public holidays excluded with preparatory activities

including pre-start checks and administration activities (limited personnel) to be undertaken

between 6:00am to 7:00am. Limited drilling and other activities would be undertaken between

10:00pm and 4:00am, Monday to Saturday once the open cut pits have reached a depth below

either the natural ground surface and/or behind constructed barriers at which the noise

modelling and real-time monitoring confirm night-time and sleep disturbance criteria would be

satisfied.

Operations within the Mine Area would be undertaken adopting a range of shifts throughout the

week. Most shifts would be either 8 hours or 10.5 hours depending on the year of operation and

the likely opportunity(ies) to operate equipment during the evening and night-time periods. The

8 hour shifts would typically occur between 7:00am to 3:00pm and 2:00pm to 10:00pm. The

10.5 hour shifts would typically occur between 7:00am to 5:30pm and 5:30pm to 4:00am.



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During the early years of operation, the CHPP would likely operate on day shift only, with the

number of days and duration of operations increasing with the increase in ROM coal

production. In order to process the ROM coal at maximum production, the CHPP would

ultimately operate on two shifts from 7:00am to 10:00pm, Monday to Saturday.

It is proposed that equipment maintenance is undertaken, when required, 24 hours per day,

7 days per week provided maintenance activities “during the night-time period” are not audible

at any privately-owned receptor.

Operation of the Overland Conveyor

The overland conveyor would operate for a period of approximately 2.5 hours at a time to

deliver the coal from the product stockpile adjacent to the CHPP to the surge bin and TLO bin

within the Rail Load-out Facility. The use of the overland conveyor would be scheduled

whenever possible to occur between 7:00am and 6:00pm, or if required between 6:00pm and

10:00pm. Only in the event that train loading is undertaken between 10:00pm and 7:00am and

another train is scheduled for arrival prior to 10:00am on the following day would operation of

the overland conveyor and loading of the bins occur during the night-time period.

In the event that the overland conveyor is operated between 4:00am and 7:00am, the only

mobile equipment operating within the Mine Area would be a rubber-tyred bulldozer or front-

end loader within the product coal stockpile area, and the conveyors.

Operation of the Rail Load-out Facility

The hours of operation for product despatch from the Rail Load-out Facility would be dictated

by the timetable nominated by the coal carrier on advice from ARTC (in conjunction with the

HVCCC) regarding the available train paths to the Port of Newcastle to satisfy shipping

schedules.

Loading of the TLO bin during train loading operations would be controlled by the TLO

operator.

2.12.2 Life of the Proposal

With the recoverable coal resource of up to 25Mt, the projected ramp-up in production to

2.0Mtpa and continuing favourable economic conditions, coal production would continue for a

period of approximately 14 years, i.e. from the commencement of the site establishment and

construction phase. A further 2 years would be required at the completion of coal production to

backfill the Main Pit and establish/revegetate the final landform in that area. However, as noted

in Section 2.1.4, a 21 year development consent is being sought to accommodate any

circumstance(s) that may slow down the mining of coal and to allow for both the site

establishment and construction phase and completion of all rehabilitation activities.



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2.13 EMPLOYMENT

2.13.1 Site Establishment and Construction

The workforce would peak at approximately 100 persons during the site establishment and

construction phase.

The Applicant anticipates that the site establishment and construction workforce would be

drawn from both local and regional centres with some specialist tradespersons drawn from

elsewhere in NSW or interstate. The Applicant has committed to employing local people

preferentially, wherever possible.

The contractors from outside the local area would reside in hotels, motels, caravan parks or

rental accommodation in the local area for the duration of their activities. There is no intention

to establish camp accommodation for the construction workforce.

2.13.2 Operations

At full production, the Proposal would employ up to 150 persons in operational and

management roles.

The operational workforce would be preferentially sourced from the local district. The

Applicant has already received considerable interest from persons in the Gloucester area and

the local region from Taree to Maitland for employment should the Proposal be approved.

However, it is likely that some contractors/employees would be based or reside in Newcastle or

elsewhere in the Hunter Valley and either commute to and from the Site daily or reside in

hotels, motels, caravan parks or rental accommodation in the local area for the duration of their

activities. It is envisaged that the majority of operational employees sourced from the outside

the Gloucester area would ultimately move to the local area permanently. The Applicant has

committed to employing local people preferentially, wherever possible and has set a target for

local employment of 75% by the end of the third year of operations.

2.13.3 Final Rehabilitation Activities

The Applicant expects to employ approximately 50 persons during the 2 year period following

the cessation of coal extraction and product coal despatch to complete the final rehabilitation of

the Mine Area and decommission the on-site infrastructure.

2.14 SAFETY/SECURITY MANAGEMENT

The Applicant proposes to prepare a Health and Safety Management System (H&SMS) for the

Proposal incorporating a Health, Safety & Environmental (HS&E) Plan. The system would

include identification of roles and responsibilities, procedures for investigation of near misses

and safety incidents, and requirement for a regular and trigger-related review and audit of the

system.



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The HS&E Plan would incorporate the following to maintain a level of safety and security

appropriate for the proposed activities.

i) Establishment and maintenance of fencing around the perimeter of the Site and

other fencing as required to isolate grazing stock and unauthorised individuals

from site activities.

ii) Use of locked gates to exclude access when site personnel are not working in

component areas.

iii) Installation of and maintenance of safety signage around the Site and perimeter

fencing, where necessary.

iv) Security when there are no authorised personnel on site.

v) A requirement that all visitors entering and departing the Site report to the offices

and amenities area or other nominated locations for registration including time of

arrival and departure, and an induction, if required.

vi) Appropriate controls to ensure that the stability of the highwalls within the open

cut pits and other landforms is maintained.

2.15 REHABILITATION, FINAL LANDFORM AND LAND USES

2.15.1 Introduction

Rehabilitation of all areas to be disturbed throughout the life of the Proposal would be an

integral part of the Proposal. Emphasis would be placed upon progressively creating the final

landform and re-establishing soil profiles and vegetation essential to achieving the preferred

land use(s) during or following site closure.

Rehabilitation activities would be planned and undertaken in accordance with the Mining

Operations Plan (MOP) to be submitted to the DRE and approved following the issue of

development consent and prior to the commencement of on-site activities. The MOP would also

address any rehabilitation-related requirements nominated in the development consent for the

Proposal.

In addition to the rehabilitation commitments in the EIS, rehabilitation would be planned and

undertaken with reference to the following documentation.

Mine Rehabilitation – Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the

Mining Industry (Commonwealth Government, 2006).

Mine Closure and Completion – Leading Practice Sustainable Development

Program for the Mining Industry (Commonwealth Government, 2006).

Strategic Framework for Mine Closure (ANZMEC, 2000).



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2.15.2 Rehabilitation Objectives

In the short to medium term, the Applicant’s objectives would be to stabilise all earthworks,

visibility barriers, drainage lines, and disturbed areas no longer required for Proposal-related

activities in order to minimise visibility, dust generation and erosion/sedimentation over the

period prior to the establishment of the final landform and its vegetation, and during which the

land is not used for agricultural purposes.

The Applicant’s longer term rehabilitation objectives are as follows.

Rehabilitation is undertaken in an economically sustainable manner.

The rehabilitated landform is safe, stable and sustainable, and suitable for long

term agricultural pursuits in the nominated areas.

Components of the final landform are re-instated with native vegetation to

specifically provide fauna habitat and corridors.

The rehabilitated landform requires low levels of maintenance.

The mining lease(s) over the rehabilitated landform can be relinquished and the

security returned within a reasonable time after the completion of all mining and

rehabilitation activities.

The Applicant would identify rehabilitation objectives for each of the rehabilitation domains on

site (see Section 2.15.4).

2.15.3 Rehabilitation Completion Criteria

The individual rehabilitated areas would be monitored against the following broad criteria

throughout the life of the Proposal, i.e. both during and following the period of mining

operations, with the performance against each considered by the DRE when assessing any

subsequent application for the relinquishment of the mining lease(s) applicable to the Site.

The rehabilitated landform is clean and tidy, and free of rubbish, metal and

derelict equipment/structures.

Nominated areas of the rehabilitated landform are progressively returned to

agricultural production (principally grazing) as soon as practicable.

The rehabilitated landform is suitable for the proposed subsequent agricultural

land use(s) and is compatible (as far as possible) with the surrounding land fabric

and land use requirements.

The uses of the rehabilitated landform are consistent with the capability of that

landform.

The rehabilitated landform is sustainable in terms of the intended land use(s) i.e. is

stable and the maintenance needs are no greater than those of similar surrounding

lands unaffected by mining activities.

Site specific criteria would be outlined in the Mining Operations Plan.



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The rehabilitated landform integrates areas of re-established native vegetation and

undisturbed native vegetation specifically to maintain or improve wildlife

corridors.

The rehabilitated landform provides for fauna habitat in nominated areas.

The rehabilitated landform does not cause unacceptable air and water pollution, or

other environmental effects.

2.15.4 Rehabilitation Domains

Figure 2.22 illustrates the conceptual rehabilitation domains based on the proposed Site layout.

The domains and the general approach to rehabilitation in each domain are as follows.

Domain 1 – Open Cut Pits and Permanent Out-of-Pit Emplacement

It is proposed that the landform above the open cut pits and the permanent out-of-

pit emplacement would be formed as a single, generally elevated landform

reflecting the form/fabric of the existing landform.

Domain 2 – Interim Out-of-Pit Emplacement

It is proposed that the overburden emplaced to the east of the retained section of

McKinleys Lane would be removed and placed into the completed Main Pit

following the completion of coal extraction. This area would be returned to a

landform generally comparable to the pre-mining landform in that area.

Domain 3 – Western and Northern Visibility Barrier and CHPP

The area comprising the footprint of the western and northern visibility barrier

and CHPP would be returned to a landform comparable to the existing landform

in that area, i.e. following the removal of the bulk of the barrier to backfill the

Main Pit.

Domain 4 – Mine Area Infrastructure

The key infrastructure within the Mine Area would be removed and rehabilitated

including transportable offices and amenities area and specific drainage structures.

The existing structures and associated buildings within the offices and amenities

area would be retained. Part or all of the 11kV power line installed for the

Proposal would be removed after power is no longer required, with the extent of

removal of the line based on an assessment at that time as to whether there would

be any benefit in its retention.

Domain 5 – Overland Conveyor

The overland conveyor would be removed in its entirety and the disturbed areas of

land fully re-instated, i.e. except for the Fairbairns Road underpass which would

be retained for stock access. The access road adjacent to the overland conveyor

may be retained.

Domain 6 – Rail Load-out Facility

The key components of the Rail Load-out Facility would be dismantled and

removed while the rail loop would remain.



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Figure 2.22 Rehabilitation Domains

A4/Colour

Inserted 22/2/13



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2.15.5 Final Landform

Figure 2.23 displays the indicative final landform within the Mine Area at the end of coal

extraction and Figure 2.24 displays the indicative final landform within the Mine Area at the

end of the life of the Proposal, i.e. after the completion of the nominated rehabilitation

activities. The specific details of the final landform would be determined on the basis of

operational experience to reflect, for example, actual as opposed to expected overburden

volumes and bulking effects, but would be consistent with the concepts presented in

Figures 2.23 and 2.24.

The completed landforms within each of the rehabilitation domains areas are as follows.

Domain 1 – Open Cut Pits and Permanent Out-of-Pit Emplacement

The final landform within this domain would be comparable in form and drainage

patterns to the existing landform, albeit approximately up to 45m higher within

the footprint of the permanent out-of-pit emplacement. Figure 2.25 displays a

comparison of the existing and proposed landforms within the Mine Area at the

end of mining, noting the extent of elevation change.

The final landform displayed on Figure 2.24 would retain the internal topographic

ridges and drainage lines directing runoff towards adjacent creeks. A series of

farm dams would also be constructed on these drainage lines to initially serve as

sediment control structures and subsequently as long term water supply structures

for the ongoing grazing activities.

Elevations across Domain 1 would vary from 115m AHD near Waukivory Creek

to 200m AHD on the eastern uphill side of the domain. Slopes on the final

landform would typically vary from <2° to 14°. The changes in elevation arising

from the creation of the final landform displayed on Figure 2.24 would result in

marginally shallower slopes on the eastern side of the domain and marginally

steeper slopes on the western side of domain adjacent to the backfilled Main Pit.

The final landform displayed on Figure 2.24 reflects the proposed landform at the

end of the life of the Proposal. It is likely some settlement would occur

particularly above the Main Pit that would result in the long term landform being

marginally lower than that shown on Figure 2.24. However, the final landform as

displayed in Figure 2.24 has been designed to remain self-draining even after

some settlement.

Domain 2 – Interim Out-of-Pit Emplacement

The materials within the out-of-pit emplacement positioned on the eastern side of

the retained section of McKinleys Lane would be recovered on completion of

mining and used to partly backfill the Main Pit and in the creation of the final

landform in that section of the Mine Area.

The landform created following the removal of this material would be comparable

to the existing landform i.e. with comparable elevations, slopes and drainage lines.

As with Domain 1, a series of farm dams would be constructed to initially control

sediment on the rehabilitated landform and, subsequently, for use by for grazing

stock.



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Figure 2.23 Indicative Landform at End of Mining

A4/colour

Inserted 22/2/13



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Figure 2.24 Indicative Final Landform

A4/colour

Inserted 22/2/13



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Figure 2.25 Landform Elevation Comparison

A4/colour

Inserted 12/08/13



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Domain 3 – Western and Northern Visibility Barrier and CHPP

Following the removal of the materials in Domain 2, the materials within the

western and northern visibility barrier would be recovered and also used to re-

profile the CHPP pad area and backfill the Main Pit to create the final landform in

that area. The landform created following the removal of this material would be

comparable to the existing landform with gentle slopes towards Waukivory Creek

and the Avon River. The dams adjacent to the footprint of the former visibility

barrier would be retained to control any sediment-laden runoff during the final

rehabilitation phase and to provide a source of stock water following the return of

the land to a grazing land use.

Domain 4 – Mine Area Infrastructure

The Mine Area access road would be retained to provide long term access to the

buildings within the former offices and amenities area. Accordingly, the final

landform in the area of the Mine Area access road would be slightly modified

from the existing landform, albeit comparable with and married into the landform

in the area of the former interim overburden emplacement area to the east of

McKinleys Lane.

The internal road network around the margins of the operational areas would be

retained generally at the same elevation and with comparable drainage, albeit

reduced in width from that used throughout the life of the Proposal. A number of

the water management structures remaining at the completion of mining would be

retained within the final landform (see Figure 2.24) although selected dams may

be backfilled once their role to control sediment-laden water is redundant.

The eastern clean water diversion channels would be decommissioned although

most dams along the channels would be retained to support ongoing grazing

activities. The decommissioning would involve the installation of barriers across

the channel to isolate catchments and re-instate natural flows, and/or the

installation of spillways on or adjacent to the various dams to allow water to

overflow into the drainage lines below the dams. The stabilised entries of the

clean water diversion channels to Waukivory and Oaky Creeks constructed for the

Proposal would remain. Figure 2.24 displays the indicative drainage

configuration on the final landform and the proposed dams to be retained.

Domain 5 – Overland Conveyor

The final landform at the end of the life of the Proposal following the

decommissioning of the conveyor would be comparable to the existing landform.

The areas overlying the former footings would be returned to the original levels

using subsoil and topsoil reclaimed from stockpiles within the Mine Area and/or

Rail Load-out Facility, and any local elevation changes created during the

construction of the conveyor would be re-instated to pre-disturbance levels. The

landform adjacent to and within the alignment of Fairbairns Road, including the

box culvert sections, would be retained.



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Domain 6 – Rail Load-out Facility

It is proposed that the landform constructed within the Rail Load-out Facility

would be retained beyond the end of the life of the Proposal i.e. both the rail loop

and cutting and central knoll would remain. The retention of the rail loop would

provide an excellent asset for any subsequent land use/industry that could benefit

from the access to the North Coast Railway Line.

2.15.6 Rehabilitation Procedures

2.15.6.1 Introduction

A range of rehabilitation procedures would be adopted throughout the life of the Proposal to

achieve the objectives set out in Section 2.15.2. These procedures relate to:

short-term stabilisation/temporary rehabilitation of interim landforms,

e.g. visibility barriers and the interim out-of-pit emplacement;

long-term stabilisation of final landforms to be returned to grazing or passive

nature conservation; and

re-establishment of native vegetation for habitat and corridor purposes.

2.15.6.2 Short-term Stabilisation

Short-term stabilisation/temporary rehabilitation is proposed for those components within the

Mine Area that would not form part of the final vegetated landform, i.e. the external faces of

western and northern, central and eastern visibility barriers and the interim out-of-pit

emplacement, where the emphasis would be upon the rehabilitation of these structures so as to

provide stable vegetated external slopes to limit the visibility of those structures. The

stabilisation would also serve to control sediment-laden runoff and dust generation from the

outer surfaces of those structures.

The rehabilitation procedures for each structure would differ marginally, the details of which

are outlined as follows.

Western and Northern Visibility Barrier

The outer western slope of the barrier would be progressively shaped, typically to

approximately 1:5 (V:H) or 10° to 1:4 (V:H) or 14°, but with the upper 20m of the barrier south

of the CHPP constructed with slopes of 1:2(V:H). The outer northern slope would be

constructed with slopes of 1:4 (V:H) or 14° to 1:3 (V:H) or 18°. Shaping of the outer slopes of

the barriers would typically be completed in sections approximately 200m in length,

progressing from south to north (western section) and west to east (northern section). To the

south of the CHPP, where the barrier would be constructed to its final height from the outset,

the rehabilitation would be undertaken in a single pass, whereas to the north of the CHPP the

barrier would be completed and rehabilitated in two lifts.



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Once shaping of the overburden material is completed in each 200m section, approximately

0.25m of subsoil and 0.15m of topsoil would be spread on the outer surface. Once in place, the

surface would be harrowed and/or ripped parallel to the contour immediately prior to seeding

with a pasture mix and fertilizer. Seeds and/or seedlings of selected shrubs and small trees

would also be spread and/or planted across the outer slopes of the barrier and the areas mulched

with hay and/or slashed grass. The pasture sown would be drawn from the seed mix listed in

Table 2.11.

Table 2.11

Pasture Species for Short-term Stabilisation

Species Rate (kg/ha) Fertiliser

Solander Setaria 2

Starter 15 or Grower 11 (or equivalent) - 400kg/ha

Paspalum 2

Fescue 8

K.V. Rye 9

S.S. Haifa Clover 2

S.S. Osa Red Clover 2

Note: Legumes would be inoculated with their appropriate rhizobia immediately prior to sowing.

Source: Wrightson Seeds Australia Pty Ltd.

The fertiliser that would be used is also listed in Table 2.11. Where safety considerations

permit, both the seed and fertiliser would be applied with conventional farming equipment.

The key shrubs and small trees to be planted on the western slope of the western and northern

visibility barrier would include all / or a selection of the following species.

Blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa).

Green Wattle (Acacia irrorata).

Mock Olive (Notelaea longifolia).

Falcate Wattle (Acacia falcata).

Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia).

Narrow-leaved Geebung (Persoonia linearis).

Common Hop Bush (Dodonaea triquetra).

Sticky Hop Bush (Dodonaea viscosa susbsp. angustifolia).

Blue Flax Lily (Dianella caerulea).

Spreading Flax Lily (Dianella revoluta).

All trees and shrubs planted across the Site using tubestock would be planted with a water-

saving product to encourage the rapid growth as has been achieved to date with the road-side

planting program (see Plates 2.2 and 2.3).



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Plate 2.2 Tree Screen Plantings adjacent to The Bucketts Way (12 month growth) (Ref: E806P_001)

Plate 2.3 Tree Screen Plantings adjacent to Fairbairns Road (12 month growth) (Ref: E806P_002)



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Central and Eastern Visibility Barriers

Both the central visibility barrier and the southern component of the eastern visibility barrier,

i.e. south of the offices and amenities area, are intended to be short-term structures designed to

visually shield the overburden placement activities to the east of each barrier from areas to the

west. As they would subsequently be incorporated into the long-term final landform (see

Figure 2.24), the emphasis in the revegetation of the outer western slopes of these barriers

would be upon the establishment of a quick growing pasture grass cover.

In order to maximise the retention of topsoil for the long-term revegetation of the final

landform, the Applicant proposes to construct the central visibility barrier and southern

component of the eastern visibility barrier in a manner that positions weathered materials and

suitable subsoil on the outer slopes to provide the substrate for the vegetation. The outer slopes

of these barriers would approximate 18° or 1:3(V:H). In these areas, the Applicant proposes to

use a pasture mix similar to that listed in Table 2.11 but apply it with higher rates of fertiliser

and a soil ameliorant such as lime, as recommended by GCNRC (2013a), together with a hay

mulch or slashed grass sourced elsewhere from the Applicant’s property which would be placed

or sprayed onto the surface.

The northern section of the eastern visibility barrier, though serving the same function with

respect to visibility, would be in place for a period of in excess of 10 years. Accordingly,

rehabilitation methods and vegetation would be similar to those employed on the western and

northern visibility barrier.

As with the western and northern visibility barrier, the construction and revegetation of the

central and eastern visibility barriers would be undertaken progressively with approximately

200m long sections of the barriers completed and revegetated one section at a time. Where

safety considerations permit, conventional farm equipment would be used for the application of

seed and fertiliser.

Interim Out-of-Pit Emplacement

The interim out-of-pit emplacement would be progressively constructed to the elevations

reflected by the contours displayed on Figure 2.23. As an area of the emplacement is shaped, it

would be completed in a similar manner to the central visibility barrier and southern component

of the eastern visibility barrier whereby only subsoil would be placed on the final surface.

After ripping and/or scarifying, the pasture seed mix (and a substantial rate of fertiliser and

lime) would be applied using conventional farm equipment, along with hay mulch.

Rail Loop Spoil

The excess spoil from the excavation of the cuttings for the rail loop would be positioned on the

inside and southern side of the loop as displayed on Figure 2.11. Once shaped, the emplaced

spoil would be covered with the available subsoil and topsoil stripped from the footprint of the

rail loop cutting and central knoll prior to being sown with the pasture mix listed in Table 2.11.

Seedlings of locally occurring tree and shrub species would be planted to create an open

woodland. Given that approximately 60% of the area underlying the central knoll would be

unlikely to yield any topsoil and subsoil, the applied topsoil and subsoil would approximate

0.1m and 0.4m thick respectively.



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2.15.6.3 Long-term Pasture Establishment

The establishment of pasture on the nominated sections of the Mine Area would be undertaken

progressively following the shaping of the final landform as displayed on Figure 2.24 and the

respreading of the subsoil and topsoil. The pasture mix (Table 2.11) would be applied with a

fertiliser using conventional farm equipment.

2.15.6.4 Native Vegetation Establishment

Native vegetation would be established with three areas on the final landform (Figure 2.24), i.e.

within:

i) the areas nominated as open woodland;

ii) fenced tree lots scattered across the pasture areas on the final landform, typically

on the lower slopes within the Mine Area; and

iii) fenced fauna corridors.

Table 2.12 lists the range of native trees and shrub species, a selection of which would be used

in each of these areas. The native vegetation would be grown by direct seeding and/or using

tubestock. Seed used in direct seeding programs or for seedling propagation would preferably

be collected within the Site or nearby. A sterile cover crop would be sown within the corridor

areas to be re-established with native vegetation to stabilise the surface while the native

seedlings/seed mix propagates and flourishes, but generally without the application of fertiliser.

Table 2.12

Native Species for Revegetation of the Final Landform

Tree Species Shrub Species

Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name

Northern Grey Ironbark Eucalyptus siderophloia Blackthorn Bursaria spinosa

Red Ironbark Eucalyptus fibrosa Prickly Moses Acacia ulicifolia

Grey Gum Eucalyptus punctata Green wattle Acacia irrorata

White Mahogany Eucalyptus acmenoides Prickly shaggy pea Podolobium ilicifolium

Grey Box Eucalyptus moluccana Mock olive Notelaea longifolia

Cabbage Gum Eucalyptus amplifolia Narrow-leaved orange bark Maytenus silvestris

White stringybark Eucalyptus globoidea Prickly beard heath Leucopogon juniperinus

Broad-leaved Apple Angophora subvelutina Falcate Wattle Acacia falcata

Spotted Gum Corymbia maculata Hairy Clerodendrum Clerodendrum tomentosum

Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon Coffee Bush Breynia oblongifolia

Turpentine Syncarpia glomulifera Narrow-leaved geebung Persoonia linearis

Forest Oak Allocasuarina torulosa Common hop bush Dodonaea triquetra

Sticky hop bush Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustifolia

Blue flax lily Dianella caerulea

Spreading flax lily Dianella revoluta

Source: Ecotone – Pers Comm.



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The tree lots and open woodland vegetation would ultimately provide shade for grazing stock,

i.e. similar to the existing landscape within the Mine Area. The principal shade trees would be

as follows.

Northern Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus siderophloia).

Grey Gum (Eucalyptus punctata).

White Mahogany (Eucalyptus acmenoides).

White Stringybark (Eucalyptus globoidea).

Broad-leaved Apple (Angophora subvelutina).

The corridors would be permanently fenced and tree lots temporarily fenced to limit/prevent

grazing by native animals and stock. In the longer term, i.e. once the trees are greater than

approximately 3m in height, the tree lots could be grazed. The areas of open woodland would

be grazed for short duration programs during their growth to promote growth of the grasses

until the trees are sufficiently advanced for sustained longer term grazing.

2.15.6.5 Conveyor Corridor

Following the decommissioning of the overland conveyor, all metal components would be

removed and the concrete footings broken up and removed. The voids remaining following the

removal of the concrete footings would be filled using subsoil and topsoil sourced from

stockpiles within the Mine Area and/or Rail Load-out Facility. The service road adjacent to the

overland conveyor may be retained for much of its length to provide ongoing access through

the respective properties.

2.15.6.6 Rail Load-out Facility

The rehabilitation of the Rail Load-out Facility would principally involve the decommissioning

and removal of the on-site conveyors and the dismantling and removal of the surge bin and train

load-out bin. With the exception of backfilling or covering any footings and other similar

activities, no specific earthworks would be required for the final rehabilitation of the Rail Load-

out Facility.

2.15.6.7 On-site Infrastructure

The bulk of the internal roads around the operational areas would be removed or narrowed

substantially to leave single lane width tracks across the final landform for property

management purposes. All unwanted roads or parts thereof would be deep-ripped to break up

the compacted surface and materials used in the formation of the trafficable surface would be

removed and used in the reprofiling and rehabilitation of the Main Pit. The sections of the

roads to be rehabilitated would then be covered with topsoil recovered from retained stockpiles.

All other site infrastructure including buildings and structures not required for the post-mining

land uses would be removed from the Site.



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2.15.7 Rehabilitation Monitoring and Maintenance

Rehabilitation monitoring and, if necessary, related research, would be conducted in accordance

with the relevant section of the MOP relating to monitoring. Monitoring would focus on the

presence and magnitude of erosion, vegetation cover, weed propagation, strike rate and plant

growth (for native vegetation). The performance indicators to be monitored and the frequency

of monitoring would be specified in the MOP and Visibility Management Plan.

The Applicant’s commitment to effective rehabilitation would involve an ongoing maintenance

program arising from the results of the monitoring program. This would include, for example,

re-seeding and re-topsoiling and/or the application of mulch if monitoring identifies

deficiencies in rehabilitated areas. Drainage controls would also be maintained. Appropriate

weed eradication methods and programs would be undertaken, as required.

2.15.8 Interim and Final Uses

The Applicant intends to maximise the use of the land within its ownership for agricultural

purposes throughout the life of the Proposal and after the Site is rehabilitated. This would be

achieved through the following practices.

1. All land owned by the Applicant and its related companies beyond the boundary

of the Site would continue to be used for agricultural activities. The Applicant has

negotiated a range of agreements with the former landowners and others to allow

cattle grazing, fodder production and, in the case of the adjacent Speldon

Partnership dairy, an extension of dairying operations etc. to continue throughout

the life of the Proposal.

2. All manageable parcels of land within the Site beyond the proposed areas of

disturbance during the first 2 years of operations would continue to be used for

grazing purposes. Beyond the end of the first 2 years, the land used for grazing

would be progressively reduced until about the end of the fourth year. The extent

of the land within the Site used for grazing throughout the life of the Proposal is

discussed in Section 4.17.

3. The rehabilitated land within the Mine Area would be allowed to regenerate for a

period of at least 3 years before cattle would be re-introduced onto that land. The

re-introduction of cattle would invariably be limited in the first instance to high

intensity, short duration programs which would avoid selective grazing which

may affect the botanical composition of the sward, prevent the formation of rank,

stemmy growth and assist in the maintenance of a diverse and extensive ground

cover.

The native tree areas to be established would serve both as habitat and corridors for native

fauna while the scattered individual or groups of trees across the final landform would provide

habitat for native fauna, shade for stock and enhance the aesthetics of the area through the

expansion of the open woodland formation.



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2.15.9 Biodiversity Offset Strategy

2.15.9.1 Introduction

The DGRs issued on 24 April 2012 require that the Applicant provide:

“a comprehensive offset strategy to ensure the development maintains or improves the

terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity values of the region in the medium to long term.”

Ecotone (2013) determined there would be some residual impacts on native vegetation as a

result of the Proposal and, consequently, adopted the BioBanking Assessment Methodology

(BBAM) and BioBanking Credit Calculator (Version 2) to calculate the credits required and the

credits available within a proposed Biodiversity Offset Area located to the east of the proposed

area of disturbance within the Mine Area (see Section 2.15.9.3).

The following subsections provide a summary of:

residual impacts on native vegetation as a result of the Proposal and the credits

required to offset the impact;

the proposed Biodiversity Offset Area and credits available within that area;

credit calculation results; and

proposed strategies.

The biodiversity offset for the Proposal is drawn solely from Ecotone (2013) as the terrestrial

biodiversity assessment addresses the River Oak Riparian Woodland vegetation adjacent to

both Waukivory Creek and the Avon River and within the Rail Load-out Facility. No further

consideration of biodiversity offsets are required for aquatic ecological communities.

Following receipt of development consent, the Applicant would prepare a detailed Biodiversity

Management Plan in consultation with OEH, DP&I, Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment

Management Authority and other relevant government agencies that would provide further

details on the implementation of the Plan. It is proposed that the Plan would be prepared within

12 months of receipt of development consent.

2.15.9.2 Residual Impacts on Native Vegetation

As is discussed in Section 4.12.3, three communities that comprise native vegetation have been

identified within the area to be disturbed. The BBAM was applied to these communities to

objectively quantify the ecosystem credits required due to the Proposal.

Table 2.13 provides a summary of the communities and the BBAM results.



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Table 2.13

Summary Table - Existing Vegetation Ecosystem Credits

Vegetation Community Equivalent Biometric Vegetation

Type and Map Unit Number Impacted Area (ha)

Ecosystem Credits

Required

Minimum Offset Area

Required (ha)

2. Dry sclerophyll forest Spotted Gum – Grey Ironbark dry open forest (HU630)

35.7 1 245 141

3. Riparian River Oak Riparian Woodland (HU598)

1.1 28 2.6

4. Rainforest Fig – Whalebone Tree – Stinging Tree dry rainforest of the southern North Coast (HU541)

4.3 291 35

Total 41.1 1 564 178.6

Source: Ecotone (2013) – Modified after Table 26

Both the Grey-crowned babbler and the Squirrel glider were recorded near the proposed

disturbance area during the fauna surveys and anecdotal sightings of the Brush-tailed

phascogale were reported by a local resident. However, these records were not entered into the

credit calculator since the potential impacts on these species were assessed and accounted for

separately. Species credits are not being sought for particular threatened species occurring

within the proposed Biodiversity Offset Area.

2.15.9.3 Proposed Biodiversity Offset Area

During the development of the Proposal and following the initial flora field survey to ascertain

the nature of the vegetation communities likely to be disturbed by the Proposal, an area within

and extending beyond the eastern side of the Mine Area was identified as a possible

Biodiversity Offset Area. The Study Area was subsequently expanded to include this area and,

in March 2011, more intensive investigations commenced to define the suitability of the area

for use as an offset. The investigations were undertaken in accordance with the BBAM.

Figure 2.26 shows the location of the proposed Biodiversity Offset Area. The entire area is

located on land owned by the Applicant with the eastern boundary of the area coinciding with

the eastern boundary of the Applicant’s land and the western boundary generally coinciding

with the eastern boundary of the proposed 132kV Power Line diversion corridor. This

boundary has been positioned such that the corridor is confined primarily to areas of grassland

with occasional paddock trees and small areas of rainforest within gullies that would require

limited, if any, clearing for the overhead power line. Waukivory Road and Waukivory Creek

mark the northern and southern boundaries respectively of the Biodiversity Offset Area.

The proposed Biodiversity Offset Area is underlain by a suite of volcanics and sedimentary

rocks belonging to the Carboniferous Booral Formation (see Figure 4.33). These rocks form

the eastern margin of the Gloucester Valley within the Mograni Range. As such, no coal

resources are located beneath the Biodiversity Offset Area. The absence of coal beneath the

Biodiversity Offset Area was a factor in the Minister for Minerals and Energy allowing the

Applicant to apply for a mining lease for mining purposes within the eastern side of the Mine

Area (see Figure 1.3). The topography of the Biodiversity Offset Area is comparatively steep

and with the bulk of the area assigned a soil and land capability class of 7, i.e. a land class with

extremely severe limitations. It is noted that one of the land uses recommended for this class of

land is biodiversity habitat.



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Figure 2.26 Biodiversity Offset Area

A4/Colour

Inserted 22/2/13



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The proposed Biodiversity Offset Area covers a total of 267ha, of which approximately 195ha

would consist of managed native vegetation. Approximately 45ha of this vegetation currently

consists of low condition Dry sclerophyll forest which the Applicant would actively revegetate.

Once the investigations were undertaken (and a management strategy developed as described in

Section 2.15.9.4), the BBAM was applied to the communities within the proposed Biodiversity

Offset Area to objectively quantify the ecosystem credits acquired. Table 2.14 provides a

summary of the communities and the BBAM results.

Table 2.14

Summary Table - Biodiversity Offset Area Ecosystem Credits

Vegetation Community Equivalent Biometric Vegetation Type and Map Unit Number

Maximum Available Area (ha)

Ecosystem Credits

Generated

2. Dry sclerophyll forest Spotted Gum – Grey Ironbark dry open forest (HU630)

141.9 1 251

3. Riparian River Oak Riparian Woodland (HU598) 2.9 31

4. Dry Rainforest Fig – Whalebone tree – Stinging Tree dry rainforest of the southern North Coast (HU541)

50.6 418

Total 195.4 1 700

Source: Ecotone (2013) – Modified after Table 26

2.15.9.4 Proposed Strategy

For the defined Biodiversity Offset Area, a Biodiversity Management Plan would be prepared

and address, as a minimum, the standard and additional management actions specified by the

BBAM (DECC 2009a; DECC 2009b) for each vegetation community. The standard

management actions would be as follows.

Management of grazing for conservation.

Weed control.

Management of fire for conservation.

Management of human disturbance.

Retention of regrowth and remnant native vegetation.

Replanting or supplementary planting where natural regeneration would not be

sufficient.

Retention of dead timber, particularly hollow logs.

Erosion control.

Retention of rocks.

Additional management actions specific to particular vegetation types as specified in the

BioBanking Credit Report are as follows.

Cat and/or fox control (all vegetation types).

Exclusion of miscellaneous feral species (all vegetation types).

Feral pigs control (Riparian community only).



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Feral and/or native herbivore control/exclusion (e.g. rabbits, goats, deer etc.) (all

vegetation types).

Maintenance or re-introduction of flow regimes (aquatic flora) (all vegetation

types). It is not proposed to modify the existing natural drainage within

Biodiversity Offset Area. However, if required, maintenance would be

undertaken.

Additional management actions to obtain extra credits in the more degraded parts of the

Biodiversity Offset Area would also be incorporated into the Plan depending on the

management zone, as follows.

Strategic replanting of a diverse range of species to boost species richness.

Site preparation and planting of local provenance species in all of the overstorey,

mid-storey, shrub and ground layers.

Preparation of an integrated weed management strategy.

Introduction of hollow logs from the adjoining disturbance areas.

One of the key components of the proposed strategy to manage biodiversity within the

Biodiversity Offset Area would be the progressive rehabilitation of the 45ha of low condition

Dry sclerophyll forest (see Figure 2.26).

The assessment has also not considered the extensive corridor plantings undertaken by the

Applicant within its properties adjacent to the public road network. A total of in excess of

9 000 seedlings of locally occurring native species have been planted in the roadside corridors

totalling more than 6km. Though primarily to reduce visibility towards the proposed

operational areas from public roads, these corridors would also contribute to local biodiversity

improvements through the redevelopment of corridors or the establishment of linkages between

isolated patches of remnant native vegetation.

2.15.9.5 Credit Calculation Results

A summary of results from the BioBanking Assessment Methodology for both the proposed

disturbance area within the Site and the Biodiversity Offset Area is presented in Table 2.15.

Table 2.15

Summary Table – Balance of Ecosystem Credits

Vegetation Community

Equivalent Biometric Vegetation Type and Map Unit Number

Ecosystem Credits

Required

Ecosystem Credits Generated by Offset Area

2. Dry sclerophyll forest

Spotted Gum – Grey Ironbark dry open forest (HU630)

1 245 1 251 (100.5%)

3. Riparian River Oak Riparian Woodland (HU598) 28 31 (110.7%)

4. Dry Rainforest Fig – Whalebone tree – Stinging Tree dry rainforest of the southern North Coast (HU541)

291 418 (143.6%)

Total 1 564 1 700

Source: Ecotone (2013) – Modified after Table 26.

The Biodiversity Offset Area provides all of the credits required for each of the vegetation

communities to be disturbed within the Site.



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2.15.9.6 Long Term Security

The Applicant proposes to secure the Biodiversity Offset Area through a Voluntary

Conservation Agreement prepared under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. The

agreement would be prepared following the receipt of development consent in consultation with

the Office of Environment and Heritage and DP&I. The agreement would outline the proposed

management regime for the Biodiversity Offset Area and the funding mechanisms to ensure the

management is undertaken in perpetuity.

2.16 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

During the design of the Proposal, the Applicant examined a range of alternatives before

deciding upon the proposed components as presented within this document. This subsection

outlines the alternatives considered and the reasons for proceeding with the preferred options.

For many components, the Applicant firstly assembled all relevant information so as to enable a

design which avoided or minimised environmental impacts. For such components, e.g. the

Mine Area entrance, CHPP design and rail loop, no alternatives were considered.

Mine Area

The area in which the extraction of coal is proposed has been defined following an extensive

evaluation of the geological, geotechnical, environmental and mine safety considerations. As a

consequence, there were no feasible alternatives to its location. Although the development of a

fifth, more easterly open cut pit targeting the Clareval Seam was initially proposed, the

geological evaluation established that the recovery of coal from the Clareval Seam was not

economical – see Section 2.3 for further details. Further, seams identified intersecting or

underlying alluvials and river systems were also precluded on environmental grounds.

Mining Methods

Given the steeply dipping nature and multiple coal seams within the Mine Area, open cut

methods were determined to be the only feasible means of extracting the identified resource.

Underground mining of multiple steeply dipping seams is not currently, nor is likely to be,

technically or safety practicable in the foreseeable future.

Overburden Disposal

In terms of areas potentially available for overburden disposal, the Mine Area is physically

constrained by:

the presence of Waukivory Creek and the Avon River and their associated

floodplains to the west;

the steep nature of the landform to the east;

the existence of multiple seams which subcrop across the Mine Area;

the potential to sterilise coal resources;

the visual sensitivities of the area; and

a desire to minimise impacts on existing surrounding land uses and the local

environment.



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As a result, the conceptual configuration of the out-of-pit overburden emplacement and the final

landform was the result of numerous iterations which progressed from the conventional plateau

type landform to that presented in Figure 2.24. In terms of the visual exposure of the Proposal

from the west and southwest in particular, the visual constraints assessment undertaken for the

Proposal identified the desirability of a strategy which would use the out-of-pit overburden

emplacement as a beneficial resource and one which would differ from the more traditional

approach i.e. one where the residual landform was generally flat and featureless, had little

relationship with its former character and permanently conflicted with the line, form, colour and

texture of the surrounds. As a consequence, the traditional approach to the out-of-pit

overburden emplacement design was discounted in favour of one which incorporated valleys,

ridges and slopes similar in location and form to those naturally occurring in the same area prior

to mining. The interim out-of-pit emplacement has been designed to minimise short term visual

impacts whilst the permanent overburden emplacement has been designed to ensure the re-

constructed long-term landform is indiscernible from those areas unaffected by the Proposal.

Final Void

The Applicant identified a range of approaches to manage the final void in the Main Pit

following the cessation of coal extraction. Most of the alternatives focussed upon the retention

of the void with various side slopes and depths of water. The Applicant ultimately decided to

backfill the void to a level above the projected final groundwater level so as to establish a final

landform which would reflect the landscape’s intrinsic quality and enable it to be returned to its

former grazing land use, as well as avoiding any adverse impacts arising from the long-term

exposure of groundwater to the atmosphere, i.e. evaporation and concentration of salts.

CHPP Location

During the early stages of planning for the Proposal, a number of potential locations for the

CHPP were examined to the southwest and west of the Mine Area, with each subsequently

discounted because the results of the drilling program showed a CHPP constructed in those

locations would sterilise a proportion of the open cut resource. The coal underlying the

proposed CHPP site is at a depth of greater than 300m and as such is not amenable to mining by

open cut methods.

Disposal of Fine Rejects

The potential development of one or more tailing dams to contain the fine rejects from the coal

preparation process was considered but discounted due to the physical and environmental

constraints of the Mine Area and its surrounds and the time required to achieve the

consolidation necessary for successful rehabilitation. Direct disposal to the mine voids as a

slurry, though practically feasible due to the development of multiple pits, was similarly

discounted due to the problems associated with consolidation, and the associated delays to the

rehabilitation process and the use of the area for the proposed post mining land uses.

The Applicant has selected a method of co-disposal of the fine and coarse CHPP rejects and

overburden into the active waste rock emplacement and/or exhausted open cut pits in order to

avoid the problems involved with the separate disposal of fine rejects.



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Product Despatch to the Rail Load-out Facility

Use of trucks as a means of transporting product coal to the train loader in lieu of a conveyor

was considered but discounted for the following reasons.

Use of a local road network which currently primarily services rural-residential

areas and agricultural enterprises, or is a “tourist route”, by several hundred trucks

per day would represent a major and unacceptable change in the nature of the

traffic and be contrary to the State Government’s objective to minimise or

eliminate coal transportation on the public road network, where possible.

Construction of a dedicated haul road on private property would necessitate the

crossing of Waukivory Creek and/or the Avon River and their associated

floodplains. Such a route, if constructed at natural ground level, would result in

periods when transportation of coal to the Rail Load-out Facility was not feasible

due to elevated flows (thereby potentially necessitating the maintenance of

substantial coal stockpiles at the load-out facility or interference to train loading

schedules) or, if constructed on an elevated formation, interference to flood flows

and increased flooding impacts in upstream areas. A dedicated haul road to the

Rail Load-out Facility was also assessed to be more visually intrusive than the

selected method, i.e. an overland conveyor and not consistent with the character of

the area and across the Avon River floodplain.

Overland Conveyor Design and Location

The Applicant considered a range of designs and locations for the overland conveyor. The

variables considered in the design of the conveyor related principally to its alignment,

i.e. curved or straight with variable heights and profiles. The Applicant ultimately selected a

low profiled curved conveyor that would limit its visibility and avoid the need for transfer

points between straight sections of the conveyor, thereby avoiding a range of noise, dust and

power issues.

The overland conveyor was ultimately located in an area that minimises the extent of riparian

vegetation trimming adjacent to Waukivory Creek and the Avon River, is positioned on land

owned by the Applicant or other resource companies and is set back from surrounding

residences as much as practicable.

The Applicant also considered the alternatives of placing the overland conveyor either over or

under Fairbairns Road. The use of an underpass beneath Fairbairns Road was selected as it

would be visually less intrusive than a structure positioned 5m to 7m above the road and with

elevated sections on both sides of the road.

Power Supply

The Applicant considered a range of options for the source of power to operate the range of

components on site. These options included mains power from a range of sources and the

proposed AGL gas generation facility.

The Applicant, in conjunction with Essential Energy, has decided to obtain its power

requirements from a new substation to be connected to the TransGrid 132kV power line at a

location nominally placed approximately 0.8km north of the Mine Area.

The Applicant has chosen not to proceed with the AGL option due to project timetables and

issues relating to reliability of supply.



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No Development Option

The alternative not to develop the Rocky Hill Coal Project was an alternative for the Applicant

until early 2012 at which time it was assessed that the Proposal was both economically and

environmentally feasible. In the event the Proposal does not proceed in the manner proposed,

the following consequences would occur.

i) The employment opportunities for the numerous Gloucester and district residents

who have registered their interest in employment with the Applicant would not

eventuate with the consequence of reduced spending in Gloucester and anxiety

issues related to lost employment opportunities. Similarly, an opportunity for

inward migration of mine and support workers and their families, new businesses

and a diversity in the local employment base and associated flow-ons would be

foregone.

ii) Direct expenditure in the local economy totalling more than $250 million and for

the NSW economy totalling more than $1 250 million would not eventuate.

Similarly, the multiplier effects of those expenditures of more than $485 million

in the local areas and $2.7 billion in the NSW economy would not eventuate nor

would the total value to the Australian economy of more than $3.58 billion.

iii) The additional rates revenue to Council of more than $3 million over the life of

the Proposal associated with mining land would not eventuate, nor would the

direct injection of an additional $7-8 million to the community though the

production-related grant (at an average of approximately $500 000 annually); the

education scholarships, employment and skills training and development

opportunities nor the enhancement of local medical services.

iv) The additional beneficial environmental and related outcomes from the Proposal

would not eventuate, i.e. with respect to the Biodiversity Offset Area and the

replacement of the Jacks Road bridge across the Avon River and local road

upgrades at no further cost to the rate payer.

v) The various impacts predicted to occur as a result of the Proposal would not

eventuate albeit at levels considered acceptable, i.e. with respect to noise, air

quality, visibility, groundwater and surface water.

Other likely outcomes from the no development option, based on the demographic projections

for Gloucester would include:

a small and decreasing population growth;

low levels of population growth-generated employment;

a continued exodus of people in primary working years;

an increase in the percentage of the population over 55 years of age and the ratio

of people not working relying on those that are working;

inadequate jobs ratio growth to meet demand;

outmigration to neighbouring employment centres; and

a real reduction in rates earnings by Council.

Documents

2.6 MINING OPERATIONS