EIS 21379 ABO1 8615 Planning focus document ... - Amazon S3

EIS 21379

ABO1 8615

Planning focus document overland conveyor from Glendell Mine

to Mount Owen Mine and modifications to coal preparation plant

MSW DEPT PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

AB018615

FIS 217

-

PLANNING FOCUS DOCUMENT Overland Conveyor from Glendell Mine to

Mount Owen Mine and Modifications to CO21 Pren2ration Plant

Prepared by:

Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited Environmental and catch ment Management Consultants

October 2001

1496/RO1/V3

Report No. 14961R011V3

Prepared for:

HUNTER VALLEY COAL CORPORATION

PLANNING FOCUS DOCUMENT Overland Conveyor from Glendell Mine to

Mount Owen Mine and Modifications to Coal Preparation Plant

Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited En vironinenla! and catch meiit Management Consultants

P0 Box 838 Toronto NSW 2283

Ph. (02) 4950 5322

Fax (02) 4950 5737

Hunter Valley Coal Corporation Planning Focus Document

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................I

1.1 BACKGROUND TO CURRENT PROPOSAL ............................................I

1.1.1 GlendelI Mine Development Consent History ................................... I 1.1.2 Mount Owen Mine Development Consent History............................ 2

1.2 THE APPLICANT....................................................................................... 2

1.3 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ................................................................... 2

1.4 APPROVAL PROCESS ............................................................................. 2

1.5 PURPOSE OF THE DOCUMENT .............................................................. 3

2.0 APPROVED OPERATIONS .....................................................3

2.1 GLENDELL OPEN CUT MINE................................................................... 3

2.2 COAL HANDLING AND PREPARATION PLANT - MOUNT OWEN......... 4

2.3 REJECTS AND TAtLINGS DISPOSAL - MOUNT OWEN......................... 4

2.4 WORKFORCE AND HOURS OF OPERATION ......................................... 4

2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT..........................................................4 2.5.1 Environmental Monitoring ................................................................5

3.0 PROPOSED CONVEYOR AND COAL FACILITIES ................5

3.1 THE CONVEYOR....................................................................................... 5

3.2 COAL HANDLING FACILITIES ................................................................. 6

3.2.1 Coal Preparation and Handling........................................................6 3.2.2 Raw and Product Coal Stockpiling...................................................6 3.2.3 Tailings and Reject Disposal............................................................7 3.2.4 Rail Loading ....................................................................................7

3.3 WORKFORCE AND HOURS OF OPERATION ......................................... 7

4.0 COMMUNITY AND AUTHORITY CONSULTATION.................7

4.1 AUTHORITY CONSULTATION ................................................................. 7

4.2 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION ................................................................8

5.0 PLANNING CONTEXT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT .........................................................................9

5.1 PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS................................................................ 9

5.2 KEY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ..............................................................9

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5.3 LAND DESCRIPTION AND SURROUNDS.............................................. 10 5.3.1 Land use and land ownership........................................................ 10 5.3.2 Topography and Soils.................................................................... 10

5.4 ROAD AND RAIL TRAFFIC..................................................................... 10 5.5 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY ................................................... 11 5.6 FLORA AND FAUNA............................................................................... 11 5.7 ARCHAEOLOGY..................................................................................... 12 5.8 NOISE IMPACT........................................................................................ 13 5.9 AIRQUALITY .......................................................................................... 13 5.10 VISUAL IMPACTS ................................................................................... 13 5.11 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT........................................................ 14 5.12 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS......................................................................... 14

6.0 SCHEDULE FOR DA LODGEMENT......................................14

7.0 REFERENCES .......................................................................15

FIGURES

1 .1 Locality Map .............................................................................................. I

1.2 Aerial view of surrounding mines ...........................................................I

2.1 Existing facilities at Mount Owen ...........................................................4

2.2 Environmental Monitoring Locations .....................................................5

3.1 The overland conveyor.............................................................................5

3.2 Modifications at Mount Owen CHPP.......................................................6

5.1 Landownership ......................................................................................10

5.2 Archaeological sites previously recorded............................................12

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Hunter Valley Coal Corporation seeks Development Approval to construct and operate an overland conveyor to transport coal from the Glendell Mine to the existing Mount Owen coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP) and to upgrade the Mount Owen CHPP stockpiling capacity to cater for the increased throughput. The project site is located approximately 15 kilolnetres north-west of Singleton and four kilornetres north of Camberwell (Figures 1.1 and 1.2). The site is located

within the Singleton Shire Council.

The proposal is a State Significant Development as it involves capital investment greater than $20 million. Consequently, the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning will be the Consent

Authority.

1.1 BACKGROUND TO CURRENT PROPOSAL

1 1.1.1 Glendell Mine Development Consent History

Glendell Development Consent is in place for the open cut coal mine located 15 kilometres north

1 west of Singleton. An environmental impact statement (EIS) [Croft and Associates Pty Limited (1982)] was submitted to the then Department of Environment and Planning in 1983. During this period, the project was managed by a joint venture of Renison Goldfields Consolidated Limited

I and Dalgety Australia Limited. Following a Commission of Inquiry, Development Consent was granted in 1983.

I The EIS proposed a dragline operation in addition to surface facilities, coal handling and washery facility as well as a rail load out facility. The maximum production rate approved was some

I 3.6 million tonnes of run of mine (ROM) coal per annum working seven days per week, 24 hours per day. Following Development Consent, some initial surface works were undertaken on site including diversions on Swamp Creek and access roads. Glendell Coal Limited sold the Project to Savage Resources Limited in 1993.

In 1995, Savage Resources Limited undertook a further mine feasibility study. This study resulted

I in a change of mine plan essentially as a result of a change in overburden dumping strategy, further coal resource identification and change in mining methods. This resulted in a change from dragline/washery on site to a truck and shovel operation with coal haulage to Liddell Coal washery

I for coal preparation and rail loading for the first three years of operation. Further modifications were also proposed to accommodate and improve both the practicality and viability of such changes. A Section 102 Modification of Consent Application was lodged with the Department of

I Urban Affairs and Planning in 1996 and approved in February 1997.

By April 1997, Swamp Creek Mine was acquired by Peabody Resources this meant that the

I approved coal haul route along the fornier Swamp Creek Haul Road was no longer viable in the long term. Further, Glendell Joint Venture recently purchased another property allowing for a

I more direct and viable route from Glendell Mine to the Liddell washery. Consequently, a further Section 102 variation to the Glendell Development Consent was sought in July 1997. This Modification of Consent Application was not determined at the time and effectively placed on

I hold. Considering that this Modification Application refers to the hauling of coal it is no longer applicable to the current development, as it is superseded by the current proposal to transport coal by overland conveyor to Mount Owen Mine.

lUmwelt (Australia) Pty Limited

14961R01/V3 October 2001 1

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- - Shire Boundary Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited Source: Hunter Valley Coalfields 1:100 000 Map (DMR 2000) A4 Scale: 1:100 000 Ret No.: R01_V1/1496_007.dgn

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Proposed Glendell to Mt Owen Overland Conveyor Aerial View of Surrounding Mines

Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 0 5km

Source: AAM Surveys (Photo dated 5 May 99) I FA4 Scale 1:100 000 Ref No. :R01_v2/1496_005.dgn


I In 1999, Glencore Coal Australia Pty Limited acquired the Savage Resources share of the

I Glendell Coal Project and the Glendell Joint Venture was set up between Glencore (67.5%) and Mitsui Matsushima Australia Pty Limited (32.5%). In 2001, Glencore Coal Australia Pty Limited had a name change to Enex Coal Pty Limited. Management of the Glendell project is vested in

I Enex Coal Pty Limited which also operates a number of other coal mines in the Hunter, Newcastle and Western coal fields.

1 1.1.2 Mount Owen Mine Development Consent History

Hunter Valley Coal Corporation originally obtained Development Consent for the Mount Owen

I Open Cut Mine in November 1991. Mount Owen Mine commenced operations in 1993. A further Development Application (DA) and EIS [Resource Planning Pty Limited (1992)] was lodged for the Mount Owen Mine Extension in 1993. This proposal was subject to a Commission of Inquiry and Development Consent No. 6/93 was issued in June 1994. A Development Application and EIS [ERM Mitchell McCotter (1995)] were lodged in 1995 for the construction and operation of the Mount Owen Mine rail loop and loading facility. Development Consent No. 184/95 was granted

I and the rail loading facility currently operates under this Development Consent.

I 1.2 THE APPLICANT

I Hunter Valley Coal Corporation is the applicant for this project as the overland conveyor and Mount Owen CHPP and rail loading facility will be constructed and used by Hunter Valley Coal Corporation to transport and process Glendell coal on a toll washing basis. Hunter Valley Coal

I Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Enex Coal Pty Limited (formerly known as Glencore Coal Australia Pty Limited).

1.3 PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

I The proposal to develop the Glendell to Mount Owen overland conveyor requires:

Approval for the construction and operation of 6.5 kilometres of overland conveyor from the

I Glendell RUM dump station to the product stockpile at Mount Owen Mine; and

1 . Modifications to the Mount Owen Coal handling and preparation plant allowing for increased

throughput and establishment of additional product coal stockpile capacity.

I 1.4 APPROVAL PROCESS

I Hunter Valley Coal Corporation proposes to submit a Development Application for the proposed development as described in Section 1.3. A comprehensive environmental assessment will be submitted with the Development Application in the form of an Environmental Impact Statement, as

I the project is Designated Development. The development will be Integrated Development, with approval bodies as outlined in Table 1.1. Under State Environmental Planning Policy 34 the

I project is State Significant Development as it involves capital investment of greater than $20 million and consequently the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning will determine the Development Application.

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Table 1.1 - Approval Bodies

Approval Body Subsequent Approval Environment Protection Authority Requirement of an environment protection licence under (EPA) Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (for

modifications to Mount Owen CHPP and conveyor) Department of Land and Water Permit to undertake works within 40 metres of water body Conservation (DLWC) under the Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act 1948, Water

Management Act 2000 for overland conveyor construction over Swamp Creek. Licence agreement to occupy crown roads where applicable

National Parks and Wildlife Service Consent to destroy items of Aboriginal heritage under the (NPWS) National Parks and Wildl?fe Act 1974 (should any artefacts

need to be destroyed) Mine Subsidence Board Approval to erect structures within a mine subsidence district

under the Mine Subsidence Compensation Act 1961

1.5 PURPOSE OF THE DOCUMENT

This Planning Focus Document has been prepared to brief the relevant Government agencies regarding the proposed development and the environmental assessment conducted to date.

This document has been provided to all the relevant departments and agencies prior to a Planning Focus Meeting to be held on 25 October 2001. The relevant agency and Director General's requirements for preparation of the EIS will be sought following the Planning Focus Meeting.

2.0 APPROVED OPERATIONS

2.1 GLENDELL OPEN CUT MINE

I As discussed in Section 1.1.1, the Glendell Open Cut Coal Mine was granted Development Consent in 1983 to mine 3.6 million tonnes ROM coal per annum. The original consent allowed extraction of coal using dragline methods and use of an on site coal preparation plant and rail load out facilities. The consent was later modified changing extraction method to allow the use of truck and shovel. Coal was still to be transported by road haulage to the Liddell Washery. The Development Consent is valid until 2013.

The Glendell Joint Venture is currently preparing to mine coal from the site by the end of 2002. All relevant Development Consent conditions will be met prior to commencement of coal extraction. In addition relevant post DA approvals will need to be in place. The relevant mining leases and the consent to carry out open cut mining operations are in place. Further approvals required prior to commencement of mining include EPA licences, NPWS Consent to Destroy and DLWC licenses.

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IThe objective is to gain Development Consent for the overland conveyor before mid-2002 in order to enable construction of the conveyor and Mount Owen CHPP modifications prior to coal extraction at the end of 2002.

2.2 COAL HANDLING AND PREPARATION PLANT - MOUNT OWEN

The Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (Figure 2.1) currently has approval for a throughput of eight million tonnes of ROM coal at a rate of 1000 tonnes per hour. The nominal capacity of the run of mine stockpile is 100,000 tonnes. Coal production is generally scheduled to coincide with washery operation as far as possible. The majority of the ROM coal is fed directly into the feed hopper. The product stockpile has a nominal capacity of 300,000 tonnes. The plant operates seven days per week, 24 hours per day.

The Mount Owen rail loop operates under a separate Development Consent, DA 184/95. This consent has approved a 700 tonne loading bin operating seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The average number of trains loaded at this facility is in the order of 12 per week.

I

2.3 REJECTS AND TAILINGS DISPOSAL - MOUNT OWEN

Coarse reject from the Mount Owen CHPP is currently disposed in-pit in conjunction with

I

overburden emplacement. Tailings are currently pumped into the south void of the former Swamp Creek Mine on CL 1415 under a Deed of Agreement with the owners, Coal and Allied. This is known as the Stage 2 tailings emplacement facility as Stage 1 is already complete (Figure 3.1 in

I

Section 3.1). This reject disposal activity is covered by the modification to DA 6/93, a Section 126 (1) approval obtained in 1996, Pollution Control Approval 002377 and it is part of the premises covered by Environment Protection Licence 004460. The tailings disposal capacity of this area

Iwith the increased CHPP throughput is still subject to investigation but is expected that there will be sufficient capacity for the next six years.

I 2.4 WORKFORCE AND HOURS OF OPERATION

Mount Owen currently employs multi skilled workers who alternate between activities at the open cut operation and the coal preparation plant and rail loading facilities.

I The CHPP and rail loading facility operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Train loading is also conducted 24 hours a day.

I

I

2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

The Mount Owen CHPP currently operates within an Environmental Management System and an

I

Environmental Management Plan. This system includes water, noise, air quality and fauna management and revegetation plans.

I A comprehensive environmental management system will be put in place in conjunction with further development of the Glendell Coal project.

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Mt Owen Rail Loop

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Existing Facilities at Mount Owen ECD Environmental Control Dam

Contour (2m Interval)

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2.5.1 Environmental Monitoring

Both Mount Owen and Glendell conduct continuous monitoring of wind speed, wind direction, dry bulb teniperature and rainfall. The meteorological station at Mount Owen also continuously monitors humidity and solar radiation. This meteorological station is located approximately 100 metres north of the rail loop and the Glendell meteorological station is located at the "Hillview" property (Figure 2.2). The Glendell weather station is downloaded monthly and the Mt Owen weather station is real time. Data from these stations are reported in the annual environmental management report (AEMR).

Environmental monitoring is one of the key components of the Environmental Management Plan at Mount Owen. The monitoring program includes 13 dust deposition gauges, two high volume air samples, six ground water sites, eight surface water sites, noise monitoring at two sites on three separate occasions throughout the year and one blast monitoring site. Monitoring points are identified on Figure 2.2.

l Glendell currently monitors 31 dust gauges and has done so since 1985. Glendell has also undertaken regular surface water monitoring, directional dust monitoring, dust concentration

' monitoring, occasional noise monitoring and periodic ground water monitoring.

Further discussion of environmental management associated with the proposed conveyor and CHPP upgrade development are provided in Section 5.0.

I 3.0 PROPOSED CONVEYOR AND COAL FACILITIES

I 3.1 THE CONVEYOR

A conceptual design for the Glendell overland conveyor and dumping station is outlined in this section. The proposal includes the construction and operation of a 6.5 kilometre conveyor from the

I Glendell ROM dump station to the product coal stockpile located at Mount Owen CHPP.

I It is proposed that a 400 tonne capacity run of mine dump hopper be located in close proximity to the Glendell pit. Coal will be delivered to this point by rear dump trucks and will act as the initial receival point for the raw coal. A feeder breaker will then be used to extract the run of mine coal

I from the hopper and reduce it to a nominal top size of 250 mm. Coal will then be transferred to a sizing station where the coal will undergo two stages of sizing. A secondary sizer will reduce coal size to 150 mm before the coal is again crushed by a tertiary sizer to 50 mm. The crushed material

I will then be collected by the overland conveyor. The conceptual location of the dumping station is shown in Figure 3.1.

The conceptual design for the overland conveyor describes it as operating in two flights with one transfer point. The first flight is approximately 2.7 kilometres long running west-east within the northern portion of the Glendell mining lease until it reaches the Mount Owen Rail Spur Line. At this point, a transfer will allow the second flight to run adjacent to the Mount Owen Rail Spur some 3.8 kilometres until it reaches the Mount Owen CHPP. Both conveyors will be designed for 750 tonnes per hour capacity and will have 800 mm wide belts. Operating and maintenance access

I I I I L I

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Ravensworth West

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Legend Glendell Coal Lease Boundary

- Other Mining Leases

Blast Monitor S Glendell Groundwater X Mt Owen Surface Water FIGURE 2.2 - Proposed Glendell to Mt Owen Overland Conveyor HVAS High Volume l Glendell Dust Gauge Mt Owen Dust Gauge Environ mental

Air Sampler S Glendell Surface Water

Mon Ito ring Locations

Creek Cadastral Boundary 0 Glendell Noise Monitor

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FIGURE 3.1

The Proposed Overland Conveyor

Legend Proposed Glendell to Mt Owen Overland Conveyor (Approx. Position)

---Glendell Coal Lease Boundary

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I to the conveyor will be provided by a 3 metre wide road located adjacent to the conveyor structure. The general location of the conveyor is shown in Figure 3.1.

I

I 3.2 COAL HANDLING FACILITIES

3.2.1 Coal Preparation and Handling

1 The conveyor will terminate at the Mount Owen CHPP with the ROM coal being processed within the upgraded CHPP and product coal being stockpiled in a new 125,000 tonne product coal

I

stockpile. A number of options are currently being considered by Hunter Valley Coal Corporation for the coal preparation plant upgrade, with the currently preferred option being a combined processing concept as shown on Figure 3.2. It is proposed that coal from both the Mount Owen

I mine and the Glendell mine will be processed as a single product through the existing but upgraded Mount Owen CHPP.

I Under this concept, the Glendell raw coal stream will be discharged into the existing 2000 tonne capacity surge bin and combined with the Mount Owen raw coal. The existing coal handling and preparation plant, product and reject handling systems will be upgraded and/or modified to

I potentially accommodate the required 11.6 million tonnes per annum throughput capacity. The CHPP would be upgraded and/or modified to process some 1800 tonnes per hour.

I The combined processing concept requires the upgrade of the product belting sizes to be increased from 1000 mm to 1200 mm belting.

I Key features of the proposed concept include:

I. The upgrade of the two existing 500 tonnes per hour CHPP modules and plant feed system to

process 900 tonnes per hour per module allowing for a total throughput of 1800 tonnes per

I

hour;

. Addition of a new 18 metre diameter tailings thickener to supplement existing thickening

Icapacity;

Upgrade of existing reject conveyors and product stacker; and

I • Use of the existing coal rail loading facility.

I 3.2.2 Raw and Product Coal Stockpiling

I

Three different stockpiling options have been considered. A conceptual description of the preferred option is outlined below. This option has been chosen as it requires the least modifications to the Mount Owen CHPP and is practical considering the physical restrictions. The proposed upgrade is shown on Figure 3.2.

The proposal includes a new stockpile to be located on the eastern side of the existing product stacking conveyor. The stockpile would have a capacity of 125,000 tonnes. Product coal would be

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1496/R01N3 October2001 6

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0250m

Legend

Proposed Glendell to Mt Owen Overland Conveyor -i--i—i- Underground Conveyor FIGURE 3.2

Surface Conveyor Modifications at Mount Owen CHPP ECD Environmental Control Dam

Contour (2rn Interval)

Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited A4 Scale 1:7 500 Ref No.:R01_V1/1496_009.dgn Source: Sedgman


I directly transported to the new stockpile or transported via a new slewing type product stacker in place of the existing machine.

1 Product coal would be reclaimed from the new stockpile via five coal valves located in a reclaim

tunnel underneath the pile. The reclaimed coal would then be collected by a reclaim conveyor in

I the tunnel and conveyed to the existing Mount Owen rail loading facility. Product coal stockpiled

to the existing Mount Owen pad would be reclaimed by the existing reclaim system.

I 3.2.3 Tailings and Reject Disposal

I Coarse rejects from the Mount Owen CHPP are currently re worked into the overburden dumps. With the beneficiation of Glendell Coal it is proposed that this practice continue into the future.

Section 2.3 outlines the current management of the Mount Owen tailings. The location of the

current tailings emplacement area is shown in Figure 3.1.

Alternatives for the tailings production from the two mines, existing tailings emplacement capacity

I and future emplacement options will be addressed prior to the finalisation of the EIS. These

alternatives will be presented in the EIS and will assist in determining the future management of from both the processing of Glendell Coal and Mount Owen Coal.

I

tailings

3.2.4 Rail Loading

I Rail loading infrastructure would not need to be upgraded as the existing facilities have sufficient

capacity for the increased product coal capacity.

I 3.3 WORKFORCE AND HOURS OF OPERATION

It is expected that the workforce in relation to operation and maintenance of the overland conveyor and modified CHPP would be based on the current Mount Owen practice of utilising contract

Imaintenance labour and multi-skilled plant operators.

Operation of the facilities will be seven days per week, 24 hours per day.

I 4.0 COMMUNITY AND AUTHORITY CONSULTATION

I

4.1 AUTHORITY CONSULTATION

This document will be provided to the relevant government authorities as outlined below prior to

I

the Planning Focus Meeting. Relevant agencies are listed below:

Department of Urban Affairs and Planning;

Singleton Shire Council;

I• Department of Mineral Resources;

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1496/R01N3 October 2001 7


0 Environment Protection Authority;

Department of Land and Water Conservation;

. National Parks and Wildlife Service;

NSW Agriculture;

Energy Australia;

. Roads and Traffic Authority;

. Mine Subsidence Board;

. Rail Access Corporation;

. New South Wales Fisheries;

. Rural Lands Protection Board; and

Freight Corp.

The Upper Hunter Wonnarua Council Inc have been consulted regarding the proposal and are assisting in the assessment of the project with regards to Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. This document and an invitation to the Planning Focus Meeting will also be issued to both the Upper Hunter Wonnarua Council Inc. and the Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council.

IIt is envisaged that there will be ongoing and further consultation with the above mentioned

authorities and groups throughout the environmental assessment process.

I 4.2 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

Community consultation will be conducted throughout the assessment process to ascertain

community concerns and potential environmental impacts. From these discussions, practical and

Itenable environmental management procedures will be developed and worked into the project.

A newsletter was posted to residents in the vicinity of the area in mid-September outlining the

Istatus of the Glendell Project and introducing the conveyor project. These newsletters included

response forms whereby residents had the opportunity to be placed on a mailing list for receipt of

I further information regarding the project. These newsletters were also sent to government

departments and other interest groups.

IA Community Information Day was held at the Camberwell Community Hall on 25 September

2001. Details of both the Glendell Coal project and the Glendell to Mount Owen conveyor were

discussed with individuals who attended during the day. Approximately 41 people attended the

I Information Day, with the majority of these being residents of Camberwell village and nearby rural properties. The majority of people indicated that they considered that from a community and

H I I I I I I I I I



environment impact perspective, the current proposal was a better option than the previously proposed road haulage to Liddell Colliery. There were no specific concerns raised regarding environmental impacts from this overland conveyor/CHPP upgrade proposal.

I 5.0 PLANNING CONTEXT AND ENVIRONMENTAL

ASSESSMENT

I 5.1 PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

I The proposed development is wholly within the Singleton local government area. All of the land

within the proposed development area is zoned Rural 1(a). The objectives of this zoning as stated

Iin the Singleton Local Environmental Plan (1996) are outlined below:

to protect and conserve agricultural land and to encourage continuing viable and

Isustainable land use;

to promote the protection and preservation of natural ecological systems and processes; to allow mining where environmental impacts do not exceed acceptable limits and the

I land is satisfactorily rehabilitated after mining; to maintain scenic amenity and landscape quality of the area; to provide for the proper and co-ordinated use of rivers and water catchment areas; and

I f. to promote provision of roads that are compatible with the nature and intensity of development and character of the area.

I The proposed project is permissible within this zoning and does not conflict with the objectives as outlined above.

IAs discussed in Section 1.4, the proposed development is Designated Development under Schedule 3 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 as it is a "Coal works" handling

I more than 500 tonnes per day of coal or carbonaceous material (including any coal loader,

conveyor, washery or reject dump) at an existing coal mine or on a separate coal industry site. The project is also state significant as the project requires more than $20 million investment/capital

I expenditure as stated under the State Environmental Planning Policy 34 - State Significant Development.

I A number of subsequent approvals are required and therefore the development is Integrated

Development under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1997. The relevant approval bodies are identified in Table 1.1.

I

I5.2 KEY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Key environmental issues identified for this project are based on previous environmental

I assessments and studies undertaken in the area, consultation undertaken to date and locality in terms of surrounding land use. These key issues include:

Archaeology and flora and fauna impacts associated with the conveyor route apart from that located within existing disturbed areas (Mount Owen rail loop corridor and CHPP area);

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1 Water managenient with regards to the water supply for the Mount Owen CHPP; and

Potential noise and air quality impacts in conjunction with the surrounding existing and

approved mines.

Further issues may arise throughout the Planning Focus process, subsequent environmental investigations and the consultative process. The ensuing sections provide an outline of the

I environmental issues to date from report reviews and various preliminary environmental

investigations. This will allow Planning Focus participants to gain a greater understanding of the

environmental context and assist the organisations to scope issues that they consider relevant to this

1 project.

1 5.3 LAND DESCRIPTION AND SURROUNDS

I 5.3.1 Land use and land ownership

The majority of land traversed by the overland conveyor is owned by either Glendell Joint Venture

I or Hunter Valley Coal Corporation. In addition, an approximate length of 250 metres of the northern section of the conveyor traverses land owned by Coal and Allied prior to entering the

I Mount Owen CHPP site. There are large tracts of land surrounding and including the conveyor

alignment that are either reserved or used for open cut mining and are owned by mining companies (Figure 5.1). The overland conveyor does not conflict with any of these land uses. The nearest

I private residences are located on rural land to the southeast and a minimum of one kilometre from

the conveyor alignment. Ravensworth village is located approximately I .5 kilometres west of the

ROM coal stockpile location.

5.3.2 Topography and Soils

I The proposed conveyor alignment is characterised by low undulating hills ranging in elevation from around 90 metres AHD to around 120 metres AHD.

I Soil surveys were carried out in the area by Croft and Associates, 1983 and Resource Planning Pty

Ltd in 1995. Soil types identified by Croft and Associates along the conveyor flight within the

I Glendell project area included a small pocket of uniform alluvium along the creek flats located

around the proposed dump station, large areas of yellow duplex and a few pockets of red duplex.

Resource Planning reported that the soils in the area of the proposed conveyor adjacent to the Mt

I Owen Rail loop are grouped into the Bayswater soil landscape unit. The main soils are yellow

solodic soils on the slopes with alluvial soils in the drainage,lines.

5.4 ROAD AND RAIL TRAFFIC

One of the beneficial impacts of this project is that there will be no haulage of coal along public roads. There will therefore be no long-term impact on the road system.

The increase in train movements along the Main Northern Railway will be consistent with the

approved rail traffic for the Glendell project, that has been most recently approved to be railed from

I I I LI Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited

1496/RO1N3 October2001 10

\ \

Ravensworth

No.2

Ravensworth Vi1 lage

Nardell

Liddell

r Ravensworth

East b—'WO— Rl Loop

Glendell

Ravensworth

Sout Legend

Hunter Valley

h

Nominees Pty Limited /

Liddell Coal

Coal &AlHed

Glendell Joint Venture

Pacific Power / Macquarie Generation

Camberwell Coal Ashton

Hunter Valley Coal Corporation (Mt Owen)

LIII Private Owner

Other Enex Mines te,.

LIII Ravensworth State Forest

— Glendell Coal Lease Boundary

— Proposed Glendell to Mt Owen Overland Conveyor

Cadastral Boundary

- Road

-'--+ Rail

Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 0 2.5km

Source: Liddell Coal

Villa

Ne

ies

fl-

FIGURE 5.1

Land Ownership

A4 Scale 1:60 000 IRef No. :R01_V1/1496_004.dgn


Ithe Liddell Colliery site. This previously approved transportation route would involve increased rail traffic on an additional section of the Main Northern Railway than the current proposal. The EIS will further document the rail traffic implications of this proposal.

I5.5 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY

The proposed conveyor alignment is situated within the catchments of Bettys Creek and Swamp

ICreek which drain in a generally southerly direction into Bowmans Creek which eventually drains into the Hunter River. The conceptual design of the conveyor crosses Swamp Creek within the

Glendell mining lease area.

The main features of the surface water management at Mount Owen include the 280 ML

I Environmental Control Dam 2, the 108 ML northern environmental control dam 3, the 110 ML

Plant Supply Dam and the tailings emplacement area. These dams catch and contain all runoff from the disturbed areas and also act as a water supply to the preparation plant. Environmental

I

Control Dam 2 is managed so that there is a minimum of 100 ML free capacity in case of storm runoff. The tailings emplacement area is the primary water storage facility. Water collected onsite

I

is principally consumed for coal washing, tailings disposal and dust suppression.

The water supply and treatment requirements for the increased capacity at the Mount Owen CHPP

I will be addressed in the EIS. An updated water budget will be developed and will include water demand and water use. The dominant water use is expected to continue to include water for

washing coal and dust suppression. It is anticipated that a portion of the water surplus from Glendell mine may be able to be utilised at Mount Owen CHPP in the future.

The water management plan will also require the design, in conceptual form, of erosion and

I sediment controls during both the construction and the operational phases of the conveyor. These

controls extend to the increased throughput of the Mount Owen CHPP.

5.6 FLORA AND FAUNA

ITwo flora and fauna surveys have been undertaken in the past over the Project area. An initial

flora and fauna survey was undertaken for the original Glendell Development Application in 1982

I and a flora and fauna survey was undertaken for the Mount Owen Rail Project in 1995 covering the

area adjacent to and including the Mount Owen Rail spur. These surveys did not record any

threatened or endangered species. Further flora and fauna assessment will be undertaken within the proposed disturbance corridor during October/November 2001.

The proposed survey will target the identification of flora and fauna species present in the study

I area specifically targeting the 9 threatened fauna species and one threatened flora species known to occur within a 20 kilometre radius of the proposed conveyor alignment. The assessment will

consider potential impacts upon the threatened species and will consider and work to the

Irequirements of the relevant legislative framework. This includes the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995, specifically Section 5A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment

I Act, 1979, National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974, and the State Environmental Planning Policy 44 (SEPP-44) - koala habitat and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999.



The flora and fauna survey will include:

. Five vegetation walking transects;

Approximately five vegetation quadrants;

. Two anabat transect to detect microchiropteran bats;

. Five diurnal reptile and frog search sites;

. Two nocturnal frog search sites;

. Two diurnal bird survey sites;

Spotlighting; and

. A search of the National Parks and Wildlife Service Atlas database.

The need or otherwise for a Species Impact Statement will be determined by these investigations but at this stage it is considered unlikely that a Species Impact Statement will be required. It is also important to note that the proposed conveyor will not in any way encroach or affect the Mt Owen

Plan of Management for Revegetation and Wildlife Management nor will it affect in any way the established wildlife corridors.

57 ARCHAEOLOGY

An archaeological survey of the Glendell area was carried out by Brayshaw in 1981. Five

archaeological sites (including two isolated finds) were found at that time, none of which are located within the area proposed to be disturbed by this proposal. Figure 5.2 shows known

archaeological sites within the area as recorded on the NPWS register.

The second flight of the conveyor runs north-south adjacent to the Mount Owen Rail spur. A survey was carried out along this alignment by Resource Planning Pty Ltd (1991) and Resource

Planning Pty Ltd (1992). Two archaeological sites were found and one site was destroyed. The

other site is located on land owned by Coal and Allied and is currently fenced off as a protected

cultural heritage site on the western side of the rail ioop.

There is potential for Aboriginal archaeological sites to occur within the alignment of the conveyor.

However, there is limited surface visibility across most of the study area with a dense cover of

grass. Surface visibility will be limited to exposed sites such as the exposed creek banks of Bettys

and Swamp Creeks, eroded exposures and existing tracks. A detailed survey will be carried out

across the alignment of the conveyor route some 25 metres wide. The survey will be carried out by archaeologists and representatives of the Wonnarua Tribal Council.

[1 I I I I 1 I I I I I I

Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 1496/RO1N3 October2001 12

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mt Owen

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x , -

/x x W-__ .*.)-_E

x

S

X S x Y

xx

S r

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'5 0 0 0

Transfer Station

ROM Dump

Ravensworth Station

Village

/

S Northern Main

S (

Camberwell 0),

Village

Legend - Road Proposed Glendell to Mt Owen FIG URE 5.2 Overland Conveyor Rail

Archaeological Sites Previously Recorded -- - - - - Glendell Coal Lease Boundary -' Creek

Archaeological Sites Previously Recorded Cadestrai Boundary 0 lk,r 2km

Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited A4 Scale 1:50 000 Ref No.:R01_V1/1496_010.dgn

Hunter Valley Coal

Planning Focus Document

I 5.8 NOISE IMPACT

I Advitech will undertake a noise assessment of the proposed development in accordance with the NSW Industrial Noise Policy. This will involve determining the relevant background noise levels and appropriate intrusive and amenity criteria. Following this, the project-specific noise levels can

I be assigned reflecting the most stringent noise level. This will ensure that the intrusive noise level is limited and amenity is protected. Noise impacts will be quantified at all potentially affected

I

receivers.

Work involved in the detailed noise impact assessment will include the following components:

I . Existing compliance and equipment noise levels Noise levels from the CHPP will be determined based on previous noise level measurements

I

conducted by Advitech. Data will then be extrapolated to simulate the proposed production noise levels. Conveyor noise levels will be sourced from file data of similar plant;

I . Quantitative assessment of washery and conveyor operation

An environmental Noise Model will be developed with the following design requirements: Predict the contributing noise levels from the operation of the modified washery during neutral

I and adverse weather conditions;

. Detennine the noise corridor associated with the operation of the overland conveyor and assess

I its impact; and

I. Qualitative assessment of construction phases

A statement of noise effects in relation to the construction phases for both the washery and the conveyor installations will be provided. Further, a qualitative discussion of noise effects with

Iregards to the stockpiling will also be provided.

Should it be found that project specific noise levels under certain meteorological conditions be

Iexceeded, appropriate noise mitigation measures will be developed.

1 5.9 AIR QUALITY

I

The air quality assessment will consider the potential impact the proposed project will have on the surrounding environment within the context of the surrounding land uses which are dominated by mining activities. The impact assessment will also consider the specific impact on surrounding

1 residences which will be linked to prevailing meteorological conditions and proposed activities.

1 5.10 VISUAL IMPACTS

I

The Mount Owen Coal Handling and Preparation Plant is not in the immediate catchment of any major public area. It is expected that there will be no major visual impact as a result of the upgrading of the Mount Owen CHPP and stockpile facilities. Visual impact at the Mount Owen

I CI-IPP is significantly reduced through landscaping. The site is clean and surface disturbance is rehabilitated quickly. These practices will continue into the future.

I Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 1496/RO1N3 October2001 13

Hunter VaUey Coal Corporation Planning Focus Document

A landscape plan has been developed at Glendell and minor tree plantings have been undertaken on

I site. It is planned to update the landscape plan and complete further tree plantings prior to

commencement of operations to improve visual amenity and reduce potential visual impacts.

I The general scenic quality of the area and potential views from surrounding residences and public

viewing areas will be addressed in the EIS. Views to the proposed conveyor and modified CHPP

will be assessed and presented through visual transects and photography. It is unlikely that there

I will be a significant visual impact considering the surrounding land uses which includes mining

infrastructure and broad scale farming and the protected situation of the Mount Owen coal handling

and preparation plant. Potential impact from the development of the project can be reduced

I through the use of low profile conveyor design using colours similar to the existing background.

I 5.11 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT

I A social and economic impact assessment will be completed as part of the EIS. This assessment will include community views of the project as well as any social impact from the project. The assessment will focus on the economic and social benefits associated with the use of existing

I facilities and the use of an overland conveyor to transport coal.

1 5.12 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

I Cumulative impact will be an integral component of all specialist environmental studies and will be

clearly identified in the EIS. The cumulative impact will be assessed in terms of the surrounding land uses and operational mining activity.

Cumulative impact assessment will be carried out on:

. Air quality;

Noise;

Visual impact;

Hydrology and water budget;

Archaeology, flora and fauna; and

Rail traffic.

6.0 SCHEDULE FOR DA LODGEMENT

Hunter Valley Coal Corporation plans to lodge the Development Application with the accompanying EIS by the end of January 2002. Development Consent is sought before June 2002

I I I I I I I

Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited 14961R01N3 October2001 14

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Hunter Valley Coal Corporation

Planninq Focus Document

in order to enable infrastructure to be constructed in time for Glendell coal mining to commence in late 2002.

7.0 REFERENCES

ERM Mitchell McCotter, Mount Owen Rail Project, Statement of Environmental Effects, 1995.

Sedgrnan, review of Glendell/Mount Owen Development Strategies.

Singleton Shire Council, Singleton Local Environmental Plan.

Croft and Associates, Glendell Coal Limited, EIS.

Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited, Preliminary Environmental Investigations - Summary Report, 2001.

MPE Pty Ltd, Feasibility Study Update for Glendell Open Cut Mine, 2000.

Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, Coal Mines and associated infrastructure - EIS guideline, 2000.

Glendell Coal Joint Venture, Annual Environmental Report, 1998-1999.

Mount Owen Mine Annual Environmental Report (Period 01 August 1999 to 31 July 2000).

1496/ROIN3 Umwelt (Australia) Pty Limited

October 2001

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Documents

EIS 21379 ABO1 8615 Planning focus document ... - Amazon S3