Metro Mining Appendix F - Air Quality and Metro Mining ......Rivers and five kilometres from the existing port at Skardon River, as shown in Figure 2-1. The Project is a proposed open-cut

Metro MiningBauxite Hills Project

Environmental Impact Statement

Metro MiningChapter 21 - References

Environmental Impact Statement

Metro MiningAppendix F - Air Quality andGreenhouse Gas Technical Report

Melbourne • Sydney • Adelaide • Perth • Brisbane • Hunter Valley • Tasmania • Singapore • Hong Kong • Dubai

Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd.

Level 2, 146 Leichhardt Street, Spring Hill, QLD 4000, Australia

PO Box 47, Spring Hill, Qld, 4000 Australia

t. +61 7 3377 0400 | f. +61 7 3377 0499 | e. [email protected]

w. www.vipac.com.au | A.B.N. 33 005 453 627 | A.C.N. 005 453 627

Vipac Engineers & Scientists

CDM Smith

Bauxite Hills

Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Assessment

70Q-14-0405-TRP-519673-0

5 April 2016

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NOTE: This is a controlled document within the document control system. If revised, it must be marked SUPERSEDED and returned to the Vipac QA Representative. This document contains commercial, conceptual and engineering information that is proprietary to Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd. We specifically state that inclusion of this information does not grant the Client any license to use the information without Vipac’s written permission. We further require that the information not be divulged to a third party without our written consent

Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Assessment Bauxite Hills

DOCUMENT NO: 70Q-14-0405-TRP-519673-0 REPORT CODE: TRP

PREPARED FOR: PREPARED BY: CDM Smith Vipac Engineers & Scientists Ltd.

Level 4, 51 Alfred Street Level 2, 146 Leichhardt Street,

Fortitude Valley, Queensland, 4006, Australia Spring Hill, QLD 4000,

Australia

CONTACT: Craig Streatfeild

Tel: 0432 949 073 Tel: +61 7 3377 0400

Fax: +61 7 3828 6999 Fax: +61 7 3377 0499

PREPARED BY:

Author: Date: 5 April 2016

Michelle Clifton

Consulting Scientist

REVIEWED BY:

Reviewer: Date: 5 April 2016

Darren Van Twest

Senior Engineer

AUTHORISED BY:

Date: 5 April 2016

Virginia Short

Senior Office Administrator

REVISION HISTORY Revision No. Date Issued Reason/Comments

0 5 April 2016 Initial Issue 5MPTA

1

2

3

DISTRIBUTION Copy No. 2 Location

1 Project

2 Client (PDF Format) Uncontrolled Copy

KEYWORDS: Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas, Mining

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Vipac Engineers and Scientists Ltd (Vipac) was commissioned by CDM Smith Australia Pty Ltd (CDM Smith) to prepare an air quality assessment for the Bauxite Hills Project, located 95 km north of Weipa, Queensland. Aldoga Minerals Pty Ltd (Aldoga), a 100% owned subsidiary of Metro Mining Limited (Metro Mining),proposes to develop the Bauxite Hills Project (the ‘Project’) within Exploration Permit for Minerals (EPM) 15376 and 16899, located approximately 95 km north of Weipa on the Western Cape York, Queensland.

The assessment predicts concentrations of air pollutants based on computational modelling and determines controls where needed. The modelling is based on activity information provided by Metro Mining. The emission rates for individual mining activities were calculated in accordance with the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) - Emissions Estimation Technique (EET) Manual for Mining.

Construction activities were not modelled because the modelled operational phase has a higher impact than construction. The main air emissions from the Project operation will be particulate matter during mining operations; the dust generating activities include movement on haul roads, handling and transfer of materials and stockpiles. Additionally, wind-borne dust from exposed earth will be a contributing factor to the dust generation and has been considered in accordance with the NPI Manual for Mining. Pollutant emissions from vehicle exhausts, felled vegetation burn-off, generators and ship movements have not been modelled. The pollutant emissions from these activities are expected to be small in comparison to the dust generating activities. Due to the distances between the source locations and the sensitive receptors located approximately 16 km away, the impacts are expected to be negligible.

In order to assess the impact of a proposed Project on the airshed of the sensitive receptors, the incremental impact is quantified and added to existing background pollutant concentrations. In lieu of monitoring data Vipac carried out a detailed review of recent air quality assessments to determine the existing background concentrations for dust deposition, TSP, PM10 and PM2.5.

Only one scenario was assessed to reflect the maximum production rate of 5 Mtpa. The results show:

• The highest annual TSP concentrations are below the 90 µg/m³ criterion at all receptors, with the results just above the background concentration of 40 µg/m³.

• The highest predicted 24-hour average ground-level PM10 concentration of 37.5 µg/m³ will occur at village accommodation (R46), which is below the 50 µg/m³ criterion. At the sensitive receptors located in Mapoon, the highest concentration will be 30.9 µg/m³, with an incremental increase of 4.9 µg/m³ with the Project in operation;

• The highest predicted 24-hour average ground-level PM2.5 concentration of 8.4 µg/m³ will occur at village accommodation (R46), which is below the 25 µg/m³ criterion. At the sensitive receptors located in Mapoon, the highest concentration will be 6.6 µg/m³, with an incremental increase of 1.2 µg/m³ with the Project in operation; and

• The highest daily dust deposition results show that an incremental increase of 6.2 mg/m2/day will occur at the village accommodation (R46), with a total deposition of 56.2 mg/m2/day which is less than half of the 120 mg/m2/day criterion.

A greenhouse gas assessment has been undertaken for the Project. This assessment determines the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) emissions from the Project according to international and Federal guidelines. The greenhouse gas emissions relating to electricity generation, ship movements and vehicle exhausts have been assessed. The greenhouse gas emissions from the construction and operation of the Project estimated to be 293 kilotonnes CO2-e.

Overall, air quality should not be considered a constraint to the approval of this Project.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................6

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...............................................................................................................6

2.1 Location and Resources ...................................................................................................................6

2.2 Proposed Operations ........................................................................................................................7

2.3 Production ScHedule ........................................................................................................................7

2.4 Topography .......................................................................................................................................9

2.5 Sensitive Receptors ..........................................................................................................................9

3 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK .............................. ...................................................................... 12

3.1 National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality ............................................... 12

3.2 Model Mining Conditions ............................................................................................................... 12

3.3 Project Criteria ............................................................................................................................... 13

4 METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................... 14

4.1 Emission Estimation ....................................................................................................................... 14

4.2 Greenhouse Gas Calculations ....................................................................................................... 14

4.3 Air Dispersion Modelling ................................................................................................................ 15

4.3.1 TAPM ............................................................................................................................................. 15

4.3.2 CALMET ........................................................................................................................................ 15

4.3.3 CALPUFF ...................................................................................................................................... 15

5 EXISTING CONDITIONS .............................................................................................................. 16

5.1 Existing Sources of Air Pollutants .................................................................................................. 16

5.2 Existing Levels of Pollutants .......................................................................................................... 16

5.3 Assigned Background Concentrations........................................................................................... 17

6 METEOROLOGY .......................................................................................................................... 18

6.1 Local Long-Term Data ................................................................................................................... 18

6.2 Wind Roses .................................................................................................................................... 19

6.3 Atmospheric Stability ..................................................................................................................... 22

6.4 Mixing Height ................................................................................................................................. 22

7 EMISSIONS DETERMINATION .................................................................................................... 23

7.1 Equipment ...................................................................................................................................... 23

7.2 Location of Sources ....................................................................................................................... 24

7.3 Construction Phase ........................................................................................................................ 24

7.4 Operational Phase ......................................................................................................................... 25

8 IMPACT ASSESSMENT ................................. .............................................................................. 27

8.1 Bauxite Hills Project ....................................................................................................................... 27

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8.2 Cumulative Impacts ....................................................................................................................... 29

9 MITIGATION .................................................................................................................................. 30

9.1 Construction Phase ........................................................................................................................ 30

9.2 Operational Phase ......................................................................................................................... 30

10 GREENHOUSE GAS .................................................................................................................... 32

10.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 32

10.2 Background .................................................................................................................................... 32

10.3 Legislation Overview ...................................................................................................................... 32

10.4 Methodology .................................................................................................................................. 32

10.5 Quantification of Emissions – Construction Phase ........................................................................ 34

10.6 Quantification of Emissions – Operational Phase ......................................................................... 35

10.7 Summary and Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 37

11 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................... 38

12 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...................................... ..................................................................................... 39

Glossary ......................................................................................................................... 41 Appendix A

Yearly Mining Schedule .................................................................................................. 43 Appendix B

Emission Estimation Equations ...................................................................................... 44 Appendix C

Pollution Prediction Contours ......................................................................................... 46 Appendix D

Air Quality Management Plan ......................................................................................... 50 Appendix E

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1 INTRODUCTION

Vipac Engineers and Scientists Ltd (Vipac) was commissioned by CDM Smith Australia Pty Ltd (CDM Smith) to prepare an air quality assessment for the Bauxite Hills Project, approximately 95 km north of Weipa, Queensland.

The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the potential impacts of air pollutants generated from the construction and operational stages of the Project and to provide recommendations to mitigate any potential impacts that might have an effect on nearby sensitive receptors.

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Aldoga Minerals Pty Ltd (Aldoga), a 100% owned subsidiary of Metro Mining Limited (Metro Mining), proposes to develop the Bauxite Hills Project (the Project) located on the western coastline of Cape York, Queensland, approximately 35 kilometres (km) northeast of Mapoon. The Project will include an open cut operation, haul roads, barge loading facility, transhipping and will produce and transport up to 5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of ore over approximately 12 years. The mine will not be operational during the wet season.

The Project is characterised by several shallow open cut pits that will be connected via internal haul roads. The internal haul roads will be connected to a main north-south haul road that will link with the Mine Infrastructure Area (MIA) and barge loading facility located to the north of the pits on the Skardon River. Bauxite will be screened in-pit and then hauled to the product stockpile using road train trucks.

Bauxite from the Project is suitable as a Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) product (i.e. ore is extracted and loaded directly to ships with no washing or tailings dams required). Bauxite will be transported by barge via the Skardon River to the transhipment site, approximately 12 km offshore, and loaded into ocean going vessels (OGVs) and shipped to customers. No dredging or bed-levelling for transhipping is proposed as part of this Project

OGVs of between 50,000 to 120,000 tonne (t) each will be loaded at the transhipment anchorage site. Vessels will be loaded and bauxite will be transported to OGVs 24 hours per day with barges having an initial capacity of approximately 3,000 t to meet early production volumes, increasing up to 7,000 t as the Project reaches a maximum production volume of 5 Mtpa.

The construction of the mine is due to commence late in 2016 and is expected to take seven months to complete. The first shipment of bauxite is planned for Q4 2017. The Project will operate over two 12 hour shifts per day for approximately eight months of the year and is expected to employ up to 254 employees during peak operations. In addition to the workforce, it is expected that the Project will result in the employment of additional workers through local and regional businesses servicing the accommodation camp and the construction and operation of the mine.

2.1 LOCATION AND RESOURCES

The bauxite resource lies in two main plateaus (referred to as BH1 and BH6) between Skardon and Ducie Rivers and five kilometres from the existing port at Skardon River, as shown in Figure 2-1.

The Project is a proposed open-cut bauxite mine, wholly located within three Mining Lease (ML) areas MLA 20676, MLA 20688 and MLA 20689. The Project will involve the planned extraction of 5 Million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of wet ore.

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2.2 PROPOSED OPERATIONS

The resources will be extracted by open cut mining utilising front-end loaders for loading and trucks for hauling. The material does not need any drilling and blasting. The bauxite will be hauled to the product stockpile using road train trucks. Waste will initially be stored Ex-Pit with the In-Pit waste dumping expected to commence within six months of production. The surface haul roads will be dual lane with a width of 40 m to accommodate the proposed Power Trans T1250 Road Train.

Other on-site infrastructure will include the accommodation camp, power and communications equipment, waste management facilities, water management facilities, and the Mine Industrial Area (MIA) where all the mine support facilities are located including the barge loading facility, stockpiles, conveyors, workshops, stores, administration buildings, fuel storage and ancillary facilities. The power supply for the Project will be provided by diesel generators. At peak production it is anticipated that up to 80 ships per eight month year will transport the product.

2.3 PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

The proposed mining schedule is shown in Table 2-1. Operations will be 24 hours per day; no operations will occur during the wet season.

Table 2-1: Mining Schedule [Metro Mining, March 2016]

Year Ore (tonnes) Waste (Volume)

BH1 BH6 Total Ore BH1 BH6 Volume

2017 - 1,072,922 1,072,922 - 180,666 180,666

2018 2,730,351 1,303,658 4,034,009 211,977 139,719 351,696

2019 4,950,002 - 4,950,002 308,774 - 308,774

2020 4,950,005 - 4,950,005 393,386 - 393,386

2021 4,950,003 - 4,950,003 478,723 - 478,723

2022 4,950,000 - 4,950,000 473,829 - 473,829

2023 4,895,777 - 4,895,777 779,134 - 779,134

2024 140,017 4,787,351 4,927,367 15,993 554,114 570,107

2025 - 4,950,005 4,950,005 - 531,376 531,376

2026 - 4,950,008 4,950,008 - 673,673 673,673

2027 - 4,498,720 4,498,720 - 795,858 795,858

This assessment will be based on the schedule for 2024 when the mining activities are at near full capacity but also located closest to the sensitive receptors. Appendix B presents the yearly mining schedule.

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Figure 2-1: Bauxite Hills Project Location [CDM Smith, June 2015]

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2.4 TOPOGRAPHY

The topography of the area is relatively flat with elevations varying from sea level to 27 m above the sea level. Further inland the terrain increases to 90 m east of the Project site, as shown in Figure 2-2.

Figure 2-2: Local Topography of the Project Site and Surrounds [Web GIS, 2015]

2.5 SENSITIVE RECEPTORS

A thorough review of the area has identified 47 sensitive receptors within the locality of the proposed Project. The potential sensitive receptors are presented in Table 2-2 and Figure 2-3. The closest residential receptor (R44) is located approximately 16 km SW of the MLA.

Gulf Alumina, a neighbouring tenement holder, have an existing airstrip and mine camp facilities. Metro Mining would seek to utilise shared infrastructure wherever possible to minimise both economic and environmental impacts, however at present an agreement for Metro Mining to use the existing infrastructure does not exist. As such the airport and mine village are considered to be receptors. They will be assessed as external receptors for this report; however the barge area, which will be used solely by Metro Mining will not be assessed as it is not considered to be a sensitive receptor.

Additionally, the Gulf Alumina’s barge loading area and MIA are not considered to be receptors. The equipment at the existing barge loading area and MIA will be similar to the equipment for this project. The equipment at the Gulf Alumina’s barge loading area and MIA will be higher dust impact on its own personnel than the equipment from this project. Any personnel in this area are protected by occupational workplace legislation.

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Figure 2-3: Sensitive Receptor Locations [CDM Smith, June 2015]

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Table 2-2: Potential Sensitive Receptors [CDM Smith, 2015]

Receptor

ID Use

Location (UTM) Receptor

ID Use

Location (UTM)

Easting Northing Easting Northing

R1 Residential 599831 8668095 R25 Residential 596378 8674328




















R21 Residential 597195 8672488 R45 Airport 609931 8688034

R22 Residential 597145 8672605 R46 Mine Village 612967 8689835

R23 Residential 596798 8673017 R47 Barge Area 616653 8699937

R24 Residential 596513 8673761

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3 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

This section outlines the regulatory requirements the Project will be assessed against.

3.1 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION MEASURE FOR AMB IENT AIR QUALITY

Australia's first national ambient air quality standards were outlined in 1998 as part of the National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality (National Environment Protection Council, 1998).

The Ambient Air Measure sets national standards for the key air pollutants; carbon monoxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead and particles (PM10 and PM2.5). The Air NEPM requires the state governments to monitor air quality and to identify potential air quality problems.

3.2 MODEL MINING CONDITIONS

The Queensland Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) provides for the granting of environmental authorities for resource activities – mining activities. In giving approval under the EP Act, the administering authority must address the regulatory requirements set out in the Environmental Protection Regulation 2008 and the standard criteria contained in the EP Act.

In December 2014, the ‘Guideline Mining - Model Mining Conditions (MMC)’ published by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. The purpose of this guideline is to provide a set of model conditions to form general environmental protection commitments for the mining activities and the environmental authority conditions pursuant to the EP Act.

The Guideline states that the ‘model conditions should be applied to all new mining project applications lodged after the guideline is approved’, therefore the Project is subject to the air criteria outlined in the guidelines. The methodology to derive the project specific air criteria is presented in Table 3-1.

Table 3-1: Air Criteria as Proposed by Model Mining Conditions [DEHP, 2014]

The Proponent shall ensure that all reasonable and feasible avoidance and mitigation measures are employed so that the dust and particulate matter emissions generated by the mining activities do not cause exceedances of the following levels when measured at any sensitive or commercial place:

a) Dust deposition of 120 milligrams per square metre per day, averaged over one month;

b) A concentration of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 micrometres (PM10)

suspended in the atmosphere of 50 micrograms per cubic metre over a 24-hour averaging time, for no more than five exceedances recorded each year;

c) A concentration of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres (PM

2.5) suspended in the atmosphere of 25 micrograms per cubic metre over a 24-hour averaging time;

and

d) A concentration of particulate matter suspended in the atmosphere of 90 micrograms per cubic metre over a 1 year averaging time.

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The MMC states that:

“The five exceedances for the PM10

standard outlined in (b) were introduced to account for the impact

of bushfires, dust storms and fuel reduction burning for fire management purposes. The five exceedances are in essence arbitrary in that the number was chosen as it is difficult to determine exactly the number of times these events may happen in any one year. More than five exceedances as a result of one or more of these events would not be considered to be a breach of condition”.

3.3 PROJECT CRITERIA

From all of the regulations the strictest applicable criteria have been selected for this assessment and are presented in Table 3-2.

The Project will include a sewage treatment plant and waste composting facilities on site, however odour impacts associated with these facilities will not be assessed as the minimum required buffer distance of 300 m from source to receptor is achieved by a factor of 50 (Victorian EPA, 1990 as referenced in Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, 2014).

Table 3-2: Project Air Quality Goals

Pollutant Basis Criteria Source Averaging Time Exceedences*

TSP Human Health 90 µg/m3 MMC 1-year -

PM10 Human Health 50 µg/m3 MMC 24-hour Five days per year

PM2.5 Human Health 25 µg/m

3 MMC 24-hour -

Human Health 8 µg/m3 NEPC (advisory) Annual -

Dust deposition Amenity 120 mg/m2/day MMC 1-Month -

* Allowance intended for natural events such as dust storms or bushfires

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4 METHODOLOGY

Computational modelling of air dispersion is used to predict the maximum levels of air pollutants based on the local topography, weather conditions and emission rates for the various sources of pollutants. The maximum levels are compared with criteria provided in Table 3-2. Air quality controls are applied to reduce emission rates when non-compliance is predicted.

4.1 EMISSION ESTIMATION

The emission rates for individual mining activities were obtained from National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) - Emissions Estimation Technique (EET) Manual for Mining (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, 2012) and the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) - Emissions Estimation Technique (EET) Manual for Aggregated Emission from Paved and Unpaved Roads (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, 1999). The NPI emission factors are derived from the USEPA AP-42 (see Appendix B).

Emission factors can be used to estimate emissions of TSP and PM10 to the air from various sources. Emission factors relate the quantity of a substance emitted from a source to some measure of activity associated with the source. Common measures of activity include distance travelled, quantity of material handled, or the duration of the activity (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, 2012).

Emission factors are used to estimate a facility’s emissions by the general equation:

[ ]

−×××=100CE

1EFOPAE i)t/kg(Ii)yr/h()h/t()yr/kg(i

Where:

)yr/kg(iE = Emission rate of pollutant

)h/t(A = Activity rate

)yr/h(OP = operating hours

)t/kg(IiEF = uncontrolled emission factor of pollutant

iCE = overall control efficiency for pollutant

The equations and activity rates are presented in Appendix B.

4.2 GREENHOUSE GAS CALCULATIONS

The Department of the Environment (DotE) monitors and compiles databases on anthropogenic activities that produce greenhouse gases in Australia. The DotE has published greenhouse gas emission factors for a range of anthropogenic activities. The DotE methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions is published in the National Greenhouse Accounts (NGA) Factors workbook (DotE, 2015).

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4.3 AIR DISPERSION MODELLING

4.3.1 TAPM

A 3-dimensional dispersion wind field model, CALPUFF, has been used to simulate the impacts from the Project. CALPUFF is an advanced non-steady-state meteorological and air quality modelling system developed and distributed by Earth Tech, Inc. The model has been approved for use in the ‘Guideline on Air Quality Models’ (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2005) as a preferred model for assessing applications involving complex meteorological conditions such as calm conditions.

To generate the broad scale meteorological inputs to run CALPUFF, this study has used the model The Air Pollution Model (TAPM), which is a 3-dimensional prognostic model developed and verified for air pollution studies by the CSIRO.

TAPM was configured as follows:

• Centre coordinates – 11˚ 51.0 S, 142˚ 2.0 E;

• Dates modelled – 1st January 2014 to 31st December 2014;

• Four nested grid domains of 30 km, 10 km, 3 km and 1 km;

• 70 x 70 grid points for all modelling domains;

• 25 vertical levels from 10 m to an altitude of 8000 m above sea level; and

• The default TAPM databases for terrain, land use and meteorology were used in the model.

Wind speed and direction data from BOM weather station at Weipa were assimilated into the TAPM model.

4.3.2 CALMET

CALMET is an advanced non-steady-state diagnostic three-dimensional meteorological model with micro-meteorological modules for overwater and overland boundary layers. The model is the meteorological pre-processor for the CALPUFF modelling system.

The TAPM generated meteorological data is utilised in this model. The CALMET simulation was set up in accordance with the best practice guidelines for NSW (Barclay, Jennifer and Scire, Joe, 2011). The CALMET simulation was run as No-Obs simulation with the gridded TAPM three-dimensional wind field data from the innermost grid. CALMET then adjusts the prognostic data for the kinematic effects of terrain, slope flows, blocking effects and three-dimensional divergence minimisation.

4.3.3 CALPUFF

CALPUFF is a non-steady-state Lagrangian Gaussian puff model. CALPUFF employs the three-dimensional meteorological fields generated from the CALMET model by simulating the effects of time and space varying meteorological conditions on pollutant transport, transformation and removal.

Emission sources can be characterised as arbitrarily-varying point, area, volume and lines or any combination of those sources within the modelling domain.

Due to the limited change in topography as discussed in Section 2.6, the radius of influence of terrain features was set at 3 km while the minimum radius of influence was set as 0.1 km. The terrain data incorporated into the model had a resolution of 3 arc-seconds (approximately 90 m) in accordance with the Generic Guidance and Optimum Model Settings for the CALPUFF Modelling System for Inclusion into the ‘Approved Methods for the Modelling and Assessments of Air Pollutants in NSW, Australia’ (Barclay, Jennifer and Scire, Joe, 2011).

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5 EXISTING CONDITIONS

5.1 EXISTING SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTANTS

The area surrounding the proposed Project comprises predominately Darwin Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetradonta) open forests, with some areas of wetlands, rivers and mangroves (Metro Mining, 2015). A review of the NPI emissions has determined there are no existing air emissions or pollutants near to the Project, however, there is an isolated 1.3 MW power station for the production of electricity (NPI facility number Q019ERG016) operated by Ergon Energy in Main Street, Mapoon.

The reported emissions are presented in Table 5-1 and show that the emissions are a result of burning fuels for electricity generation. These emissions do not affect the background concentrations that are assessed as part of this assessment.

Table 5-1: Ergon Energy Reported NPI Emissions in Mapoon [NPI, 2013-2014]

Substance Air Fugitive

Emissions (kg)

Air Point

Emissions (kg)

Total

Emissions (kg)

Acetaldehyde - 4.22 4.22

Benzene - 5.12 5.12

1,3-Butadiene (vinyl ethylene) - 0.22 0.22

Formaldehyde (methyl aldehyde) - 6.5 6.5

Toluene (methylbenzene) - 2.25 2.25

Total Volatile Organic Compounds 11.797 1774.72 1786.517

Xylenes (individual or mixed isomers) - 1.57 1.57

5.2 EXISTING LEVELS OF POLLUTANTS

In line with common practice, to quantify and qualify the impact of a proposed mine on environmental values, the incremental impact is quantified and added to existing background pollutant concentrations. The background concentrations for pollutants associated with fuel combustion (i.e. carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen) will be very low. The only expected emissions of particulates will be from bushfires or localised emission from vehicles travelling on unpaved roads.

There are currently no EHP monitoring stations operating in the locality of the Project. The existing air quality for dust deposition, TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 has been estimated by considering the monitoring data reported in recent air quality assessments for other mines in Queensland, including the assessment for South of Embley Project located south of Weipa, and the Pisolite Hills Project located approximately 50 km south east of the Project site.

Gulf Alumina are proposing the Skardon River Project at present which will be close to this project, however the mining pits extend further south than this Project and the expected peak production rate is 5 Mtpa. There are no publicly available air quality reports for this Project, however the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) contains a brief control strategy and action program to minimise dust from the haul roads and stockpiles as well as requirements to monitor particulate matter and dust in response to a complaint.

The following air quality assessments have been reviewed:

• South of Embley Project (Rio Tinto Alcan, No Date). Ambient PM10 concentrations were monitored in 2004 in Weipa and were used to derive the PM2.5 concentrations. TSP concentrations and dust deposition values were estimates;

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• Pisolite Hills (ASK Consulting Engineers, 2010). Estimated background concentrations of TSP, PM10, PM2.5 and dust deposition based on typical ratios. PM10 24-hour and annual was estimated based on urban monitoring data in Queensland. Ratios were applied to the PM10 values to derive the PM2.5 and TSP values, whilst dust deposition rates have been assumed for the area;

• Taroborah Coal Project (Katestone Environmental Pty Ltd, 2014). On-site monitoring for dust deposition was undertaken for five months at five locations in 2012. PM10 and PM2.5 monitoring studies undertaken by Katestone for nearby mines have been reported;

• Teresa Coal Mine (GHD, 2013). The background concentrations assigned to this assessment were based on a full literature review of air quality assessment for nearby mines and EHP monitoring stations in Townsville; and

• Rolleston Coal Expansion Project (AECOM Australia Pty Ltd , 2013). A dust monitoring program was conducted by AECOM to quantify existing ambient PM10 concentrations at the Project site using Beta Attenuation Monitors (BAMs). PM10 monitoring was conducted at a homestead approximately 10 km north east of the existing Rolleston Mine between October 2011 and March 2012. The PM10 concentrations were used to derive the TSP concentrations (200% of PM10) and PM2.5 concentrations (36% of PM10). Dust deposition concentrations were measured at the Mine in 2009.

Table 5-2 presents the assigned background concentrations for each assessment identified above.

Table 5-2: Assigned Background Levels for Recent EIS Assessments

Project

Assigned Background Levels

TSP

(µg/m3)

Dust

Deposition

(mg/m2/day)

PM10 (µg/m3)

PM2.5

(µg/m3)

Annual 30 days 24 Hour 24 Hour Annual

South of Embley 23.0 50.0 22.0 7.0 -

Pisolite Hills 25.0 32.9* 20.0 5.0 3.0

Teresa Coal 31.2 53.0 18.8 5.6 5.6

Taroborah Coal 28.0 40.7 21.0 5.4 2.8

Rolleston Coal 36.6 50.0 20.0 7.2 6.6

*Reported as 1 g/m2/month

5.3 ASSIGNED BACKGROUND CONCENTRATIONS

A summary of the assigned background concentrations used in this study are presented in Table 5-3. These background concentrations will be added to the predicted incremental emissions from the Project to derive total potential concentrations.

Table 5-3: Assigned Background Concentrations

Parameter Air Quality

Objective Regulation Period

Applied

Background Comments

TSP 90 µg/m3 EPP (Air) Annual 40 µg/m

3 Conservative assumption

PM10 50 µg/m3 EPP (Air) 24 Hour 26 µg/m

3 Conservative assumption

PM2.5 25 µg/m

3 EPP (Air) 24 Hour 5.4 µg/m

3 Monitoring by Katestone

at other mines 8 µg/m3 EPP (Air) Annual 2.8 µg/m

3

Dust Deposition 120 mg/m2/day EPP (Air) 24 Hour

50

mg/m2/day

Conservative assumption

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6 METEOROLOGY 6.1 LOCAL LONG-TERM DATA

A Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) station previously existed at Old Mapoon (Site number 027012) which closed in 1998. Very few meteorological parameters were recorded at this station; however one of the parameters recorded at the Old Mapoon station was rainfall. A comparison of the number of days per year at Old Mapoon and Weipa where rainfall is ≥ 1 mm is presented in Figure 6-1. As the data from the Old Mapoon station is limited, almost 20 years old and the number of days of rainfall is ≥ 1 mm are very similar to Weipa Station, the Old Mapoon dataset has not been used for this assessment.

Figure 6-1: Comparison of Rainfall Days ≥ 1 mm at Old Mapoon and Weipa Weather Stations

Long term weather data for the local area has been obtained from the BOM weather station located at Weipa Aerodrome (Site number 027045). The long term mean temperature range is between 21.9o and 32.7o with the coldest month being August and the hottest months being October and November. The rainfall in the region is variable, with most rainfall in the warmer months. On average, most of the annual rainfall is received between December and March. Rainfall is lowest between June and September, with a mean annual rainfall of 2,009 mm. Rainfall reduces the dispersion of air emissions and therefore the potential impact on visual amenity and health.

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Table 6-1: Mean Long-term Weather Data for Weipa [BOM]

Month

Temperature Rainfall 9 am Conditions 3 pm Conditions

Max

(°C)

Min

(°C)

Total

Rainfall

(mm)

No. of

Days ≥

1 mm

Temp

(°C) RH (%)

Wind

Speed

(km/h)

Temp

(°C)

Mean

RH (%)

Wind

Speed

(km/h)

Jan 31.9 24.2 481.9 14.7 27.9 83.0 11.4 29.8 73.0 15.8

Feb 31.4 24.1 535.8 14.7 27.5 86.0 9.7 29.2 76.0 13.9

Mar 31.8 23.8 409.0 13.8 27.3 83.0 11.4 29.9 70.0 13.7

Apr 32.2 22.8 99.4 6.4 26.8 77.0 15.6 30.8 59.0 16.2

May 31.8 21.3 17.7 1.8 25.7 75.0 15.9 30.6 52.0 16.9

Jun 31.1 19.9 3.9 0.4 24.2 74.0 15.5 29.9 49.0 18.5

Jul 31.0 18.9 1.5 0.3 23.4 72.0 15.6 29.7 44.0 18.8

Aug 32.0 18.7 5.8 0.5 24.1 69.0 17.0 30.5 41.0 18.8

Sep 34.4 19.7 1.3 0.3 26.2 65.0 18.7 32.8 37.0 19.2

Oct 35.6 21.8 22.7 1.5 27.9 61.0 19.2 33.7 39.0 19.2

Nov 35.6 23.4 109.2 5.1 29.0 64.0 16.5 33.6 46.0 18.1

Dec 33.9 24.2 270.8 10.5 28.7 75.0 12.7 31.8 60.0 15.4

Annual 32.7 21.9 2008.9 70.0 26.6 74.0 14.9 31.0 54.0 17.0

6.2 WIND ROSES

The wind roses are presented in Figure 6-2 and Figure 6-3 for the Project site. Figure 6-2 shows that the dominant wind direction is from east and ESE during spring, autumn and winter, whilst in summer the wind is strongest from the NW. It is noted that the Project does not propose to operate over the summer (wet season) period, when winds are from the NW. The nearest receptors, as shown in Figure 2-3 identify that the winds will transport the pollutants away from the receptors of concern.

A comparison of the wind roses at 09:00 and 15:00 hours was undertaken with the BOM long-term wind roses at Weipa Aerodrome, approximately 90 km from the Project site. The 09:00 hours wind roses from BOM and TAPM are very similar with slight differences in the percentage of time the wind blows from the East; the BOM wind rose, based on 6491 observations, identifies easterly winds accounting for 45% of the time whereas TAPM identifies the easterlies accounting for 53%. The 15:00 hours wind roses are similar; the BOM wind rose shows a higher frequency of south easterly winds (18%) to TAPM (10%) as well as westerly winds. These slight differences in wind are not considered to be of concern for this Project as the winds do not blow the pollutants towards the sensitive receptors. Overall, the meteorological data generated by TAPM is considered to be representative of the site.

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Annual (Calm – 0.38%)

Spring (Calm – 0.14%)

Summer (Calm – 0.83%)

Autumn (Calm – 0.46%)

Winter (Calm – 0.10%)

Figure 6-2: Site-Specific Wind Roses by Season for 2014

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00:00-06:00 (Calm – 0.35%)

06:00-12:00 (Calm – 0.27%)

12:00-18:00 (Calm – 0.35%)

18:00-00:00 (Calm – 0.55%)

Figure 6-3: Site-Specific Wind Roses by Time of Day for 2014

Figure 6-3 shows the wind roses for the time of day during the year for 2014. It can clearly be seen that there is not much variation in wind direction throughout the day however the winds are lightest between midnight and 06:00 hours.

A review of the annual wind speeds has determined that for:

• The winds were calm for 0.38% of the year;

• The winds were 0.5 - 3 m/s for 53% of the year;

• The winds were 3 - 5 m/s for 36% of the year; and

• The winds were greater than 5 m/s for 11% of the year.

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6.3 ATMOSPHERIC STABILITY

Atmospheric stability refers to the tendency of the atmosphere to resist or enhance vertical motion of pollutants. The Pasquill-Turner assignment scheme identifies six Stability Classes (Stability Classes A to F) to categorise the degree of atmospheric stability. These classes indicate the characteristics of the prevailing meteorological conditions and are used in various air dispersion models. The frequency of occurrence for each stability class for 2014 is detailed in Table 6-2.

Table 6-2: Annual Stability Class Distribution Predicted [TAPM, 2014]

Stability

Class Description

Frequency of

Occurrence (%)

Average Wind

Speed (m/s)

A Very unstable low wind, clear skies, hot daytime conditions 0.43% 2.7

B Unstable clear skies, daytime conditions 10.98% 3.5

C Moderately unstable moderate wind, slightly overcast daytime 20.66% 4.3

D Neutral high winds or cloudy days and nights 26.53% 2.8

E Stable moderate wind, slightly overcast night-time conditions 9.61% 2.6

F Very stable low winds, clear skies, cold night-time conditions 31.78% 2.8

6.4 MIXING HEIGHT

Mixing height refers to the height above ground within which particulates or other pollutants released at or near ground can mix with ambient air. During stable atmospheric conditions, the mixing height is often quite low and particulate dispersion is limited to within this layer.

Diurnal variations in mixing depths are illustrated in Figure 6-4. As would be expected, an increase in the mixing depth during the morning is apparent, arising due to the onset of vertical mixing following sunrise. Maximum mixing heights occur in the mid to late afternoon, due to the dissipation of ground-based temperature inversions and the growth of convective mixing layer.

Figure 6-4: Mixing Height [TAPM, 2014]

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7 EMISSIONS DETERMINATION

This section provides information upon which the emission rates were derived using the equations and parameters provided in Appendix B.

7.1 EQUIPMENT

Metro Mining provided the equipment list schedules for the life of the Project as presented in Table 7-1.

Table 7-1: Equipment Quantity by Year

Location and

Equipment

Quantity of Equipment by Year

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

MINING 5 7 8 8 8 8 8 7 8 8 8

Cat 992 Pit 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2

Cat 992 Ore - - - - - - - - - - -

Cat 992 Waste - - - - - - - - - - -

Cat 992 Rom 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Rom Screen 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Rom Stacker 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Cat 992 Portloader1 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Cat 992 Port Loader 2 - - - - - - - - - - -

TRUCKS 3 5 7 7 8 8 8 5 5 4 4

Ore Trucks 2 4 6 6 7 7 7 4 4 3 3

Scrapers 637 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

ANCILLARY 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 5 5 6 5

Grade16m 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1

D10 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 1

Water Truck 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Service Truck 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Fuel Truck 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

SUPPORT MACHINES 10 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14

WA380 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Lighting Towers 4 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Roller 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Crane 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Dewatering Pumps 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Power requirements will be sourced from onsite diesel generators located within the MIA and the accommodation camp. The proposed generator configuration is:

• Two 500 kW CAT generators to provide a combined 1 Megawatt for the operation of the conveyors, ship loader and MIA which will operate at 75% load; and

• Two 250 kW CAT generators to provide 500 kW for the operation of the accommodation camp, which will operate at 50% load.

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The generation of 1.5 MW of electricity to operate the mine is just above the existing 1.3 MW power station located in Mapoon. The project will not use electricity from the grid and therefore no additional emissions will be generated at the Mapoon Power Station. Due to the distance of the Project generators to the sensitive receptors (approximately 16 km), the air quality impacts from the generators are considered very low as the pollutants have a large distance over which they can be dispersed and therefore the generators have not been assessed.

7.2 LOCATION OF SOURCES

Figure 7-1 presents the proposed Project operations including the location of pits, mining infrastructure and proposed barge loading area.

Figure 7-1: Location of Sources and Infrastructure [CDM Smith, February 2016]

7.3 CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Preparation of the site for construction of infrastructure involves clearing and burning of vegetation. These activities have the potential to cause high levels of dust if not appropriately managed, however the dust emissions will be localised and relatively short in duration.

During the construction phase less equipment will be utilised, therefore the air quality impacts during construction are likely to be less than the predicted operational levels. As such the construction phase is not considered significant and has not been assessed. This approach is common place where sensitive receptors are far away from the development and the temporary nature of the construction phase.

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7.4 OPERATIONAL PHASE

The operational activities that will generate dust emissions and have been assessed are:

• Clearing of overburden ahead of mining;

• Extraction, transport and dumping of material;

• Material transfers, and associated activities including stockpiling at the barge loading area; and

• Wind erosion of stockpiles and pits.

Total emissions of dust from mining operations are largely dependent on the site layout, extraction methods, transportation methods, and vehicle fleet. Other factors that also affect emissions include the material characteristics such as moisture and silt content, and any incidental rainfall. One scenario for an annual production of 5 Mtpa has been assessed, as this is the expected maximum throughput.

The modelled scenario is based on the operational aspects of the Project as eight months per year (to avoid the wet season), 24 hours per day and an annual planned production of 5 Mtpa.

The proposed operation of the Project includes a number of generators. The generators will be located approximately 16 km from the receptors, due to this distance between the sources and receptors, the generator was not assessed for air quality purposes as previous assessments completed by Vipac such as Comet Ridge Coal Mine and Springsure Creek Coal Mine have shown that 1 MW generators do not have an impact beyond 5 km.

Ergon Energy have an isolated power station located on Main Street, Mapoon, which is located near to the sensitive receptors. The Project will generate slightly more electricity than the Ergon Energy power station at Mapoon; however the proposed generators for this project will be located approximately 16 km away, whereas the Ergon Energy power station is located at the edge of the town. Due to the distance between the proposed generators and the receptors, the associated air emissions will be greater from the power station. As the Ergon Energy power station is located closer to the receptors, the Project generators will have little impact on local air quality when compared to the power station operated by Ergon Energy as detailed in Section 5.1.

During the operational phase felled vegetation will be burned off from time to time; these events will be infrequent and due to the distance from the receptors have not been modelled.

The basic parameters for the emission estimation calculations are presented in Table 7-2. All information relating to the operations of the Project were provided by Metro Mining with supplementary information from Power Trans.

Table 7-2: Operations Data and Modelling Parameters

Parameter Value Modelled Data Source

Ore Production Mtpa 5 Metro Mining

Ore silt / moisture content % 5 / 10 Borehole data for site

Haul road silt / moisture content % 7.0 / 5 Typical values

Topsoil silt / moisture content % 3.4 / 5 Typical values

Number of days where rainfall >0.25 mm* No. 34 BOM

Mean wind speed m/s 3.1 BOM

Amount of time wind speed is >5.4 m/s** % 4.9 TAPM

Bauxite density kg/m3 1,800 Pre-feasibility study

Haul truck weight (laden/unladen) t 170/300 B-triples road train

Haul Road width (in pit ramps / surface) m 30 / 40 Metro Mining

*Based on all rain days recorded at Weipa BOM Station with the wet season (December, January, February and March) removed

*Based on Weipa BOM Station with the wet season (December, January, February and March) removed

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As discussed in Section 2, the Project will only operate eight months of the year to avoid the wet season. The long-term weather observations from BOM indicate that the wet season is typically December to March each year. This has been taken into consideration in the modelling set-up by:

• Calculating the 5 MTPA emission rates based on eight months activity;

• The full 2014 year is modelled in CALPUFF (with no emissions for January, February, March or December). During the wet season, wind erosion dust emissions are not expected due to high rainfall supressing the dust; and

• CALPOST is modelled with January, February, March or December removed.

The calculated emission rates for the extraction of 5 Mtpa have been grouped into activities and the tonnes per annum quantities are presented in Table 7-3 where it can be seen that the main emissions are from haul truck movements, accounting for 55% of the total PM10 emissions each year.

Table 7-3: Summary of Annual Emissions

Activity Total Emissions (Tonnes per Annum)

TSP PM10 PM2.5

Mining 190.6 91.3 20.0

Overburden / Waste Handling 44.7 11.2 4.5

Wind Erosion (pits) 143.4 71.7 11.4

Haul Truck Movements 2,416.4 620.9 62.1

Material Handling 98.2 33.7 5.1

Stockpiles 631.2 260.7 66.5

Ship Loading 90.1 32.3 9.5

Total 3,614.5 1,121.8 179.1

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8 IMPACT ASSESSMENT

This section presents the results of the air quality impact assessment for predicted ground level concentrations of TSP, PM10, PM2.5 and dust deposition at sensitive receptors.

8.1 BAUXITE HILLS PROJECT

The results of the dispersion modelling for the Bauxite Hills Project in isolation include individual sensitive receptor and contour plots that are indicative of ground-level concentrations. The contour plots are created from the predicted ground-level concentrations at the network of gridded receptors within the modelling domain at frequent intervals. These gridded values are converted into contours using triangulation interpolation in the CALPOST post-processing software within the CALPUFF View software (Version 8.1 - December 2015).

The predicted maximum ground-level concentrations of TSP, PM10, PM2.5 and dust deposition at the nearest sensitive receptors are presented in Table 8-1. Contour plots of the predicted maximum ground-level concentrations are presented in Appendix C.

The 100th percentile results show:





Overall, it can clearly be seen that with the Project operating at 5 Mtpa the predicted pollutant concentrations are below the relevant criteria due to the distance between the Project and the sensitive receptors.

The concentrations at the Metro Mining barge terminal indicate an exceedence of the PM10 criteria; as there are no personnel who reside at this location therefore the terminal area is subject to occupational exposure, which will be controlled through regular watering and wearing PPE.

The Gulf Alumina’s barge loading area and MIA are not considered to be receptors. The existing barge loading area and MIA will use similar equipment and have comparable production rates as this project. The equipment at the Gulf Alumina’s barge loading area and MIA will have a higher dust impact on its own personnel than the dust generated by the Metro Mining equipment. Any personnel in this area are protected by occupational workplace legislation.

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Table 8-1: Modelling Results for Bauxite Hills Project

Receptor

100th

Percentile Predicted Pollutant Concentrations

Annual TSP

(µg/m3)

24 Hour PM10

(µg/m3)

24 Hour PM2.5

(µg/m3)

Annual PM2.5

(µg/m3)

Daily Dust

Deposition

(mg/m3)

R1 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R2 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R3 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R4 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R5 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R6 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R7 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R8 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R9 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R10 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R11 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R12 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R13 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R14 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R15 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R16 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R17 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R18 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R19 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R20 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R21 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R22 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R23 40.0 26.1 5.4 2.8 50.0

R24 40.0 26.1 5.5 2.8 50.0

R25 40.0 26.1 5.5 2.8 50.0

R26 40.0 26.1 5.5 2.8 50.1

R27 40.0 26.2 5.5 2.8 50.1

R28 40.0 26.2 5.5 2.8 50.1

R29 40.0 26.2 5.5 2.8 50.1

R30 40.0 26.2 5.5 2.8 50.1

R31 40.0 26.2 5.5 2.8 50.1

R32 40.0 26.2 5.5 2.8 50.1

R33 40.0 26.2 5.5 2.8 50.1

R34 40.0 26.3 5.5 2.8 50.1

R35 40.0 26.3 5.6 2.8 50.1

R36 40.0 26.3 5.6 2.8 50.1

R37 40.0 26.4 5.6 2.8 50.1

R38 40.0 26.4 5.6 2.8 50.1

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Receptor

100th

Percentile Predicted Pollutant Concentrations

Annual TSP

(µg/m3)

24 Hour PM10

(µg/m3)

24 Hour PM2.5

(µg/m3)

Annual PM2.5

(µg/m3)

Daily Dust

Deposition

(mg/m3)

R39 40.0 26.4 5.6 2.8 50.1

R40 40.0 26.5 5.6 2.8 50.2

R41 40.0 26.5 5.6 2.8 50.2

R42 40.0 26.5 5.6 2.8 50.2

R43 40.0 26.7 5.7 2.8 50.3

R44 40.0 26.8 5.7 2.8 50.3

R45 40.1 30.9 6.6 2.8 52.7

R46 40.4 37.5 8.4 2.8 56.2

Criteria 90 50 25 8 120

Criteria

Achieved ��

8.2 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

In order to assess cumulative impacts, the The Air Quality Assessment for Skardon River Bauxite Mine EIS (Katestone Environmental Pty Ltd, 2015) has been reviewed. The Skardon River Project is located adjacent to this Project, however the mining pits extend further south than this Project and the expected peak production rate is 5 Mtpa. The Air Quality Assessment (Katestone Environmental Pty Ltd, 2015) provides a review of existing air quality, details relating to the proposed operations and expected emission rates. The report does not provide any results at sensitive receptors nor contour plots; therefore it is not possible to present any definitive cumulative impacts, however the majority of the results from this Project are just above background concentrations, therefore impacts from another industry may not adversely affect the sensitive receptors.

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9 MITIGATION

A summary of the proposed mitigation measures is provided in this section for both construction and operational phases of the Project.

9.1 CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Measures for the management of dust emissions during the construction phase to be employed include, but not necessarily be limited to the following:

• Watering of roads and exposed areas to reduce wheel-generated dust as required;

• Allow vegetation to establish on stockpiled overburden to prevent wind erosion;

• Minimisation of haul trips and trip distances, where practicable;

• So far as practical, erecting physical barriers such as bunds and or wind breaks around stockpiles or areas where earth moving is required;

• Where possible, earth moving activities would be avoided during unfavourable meteorological conditions when strong winds (i.e. >5 m/s) are blowing from the north or north east towards the receptors;

• Minimising speed of on-site traffic, where applicable, to minimise wheel generated dust;

• Ensuring all vehicles are suitably fitted with exhaust systems that minimise gaseous and particulate emissions to meet vehicle design standards; and

• Where practicable limit vegetation and soil clearing to approved areas to minimise the area of exposed soil that may generate dust.

9.2 OPERATIONAL PHASE

The following operational controls to reduce dust emissions are recommended:

• It is recommended that the selected generator has low emissions of nitrogen oxides to reduce the potential exposure to pollutants in relation to Work Health and Safety requirements;

• Regular watering of active mining areas, stockpiles areas and haul roads that are subject to frequent vehicle movements;

• All equipment utilised on site will be maintained in an efficient and effective manner;

• Where practicable limit vegetation and soil clearing to reflect the operational requirements;

• Where practicable reuse cleared vegetation during the rehabilitation phase of the Project to minimise burning; and

• Progressive site rehabilitation and revegetation, where possible.

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Unsealed Roads

In addition to the general operational controls preventative measures will be applied, where practicable, to prevent material being deposited on haul roads, such as:

• Avoid overloading which could result in spillage;

• General speed on unsealed haul roads will be limited;

• In the event that road dust is visible above haul truck wheel height, truck operators are to call for additional wet suppression;

• Visual dust monitoring will be undertaken by supervisory staff to ensure effective dust control; and

• Conduct regular maintenance of haul roads including scheduled grading.

Stockpiles

The following controls are recommended to reduce dust emissions from stockpiles:

• Visual monitoring of stockpiles for dust emissions will be conducted by personnel; and

• Apply water suppression around all active stockpile areas, when required.

Overburden Areas

The following controls are recommended to reduce dust emissions from overburden emplacement areas based on the assessment of risk and the potential for generation of dust:

• After initial extraction, all overburden material will be placed back within the mined area;

• Overburden will be revegetated progressively. and

• Restrict vehicle movements to defined routes on overburden emplacement areas, with wet suppression applied to such routes as required.

General Material Extraction and Dumping

The following controls are recommended to reduce dust emissions from material extraction and dumping:

• Minimise double handling of material;

• Identify material types that contain fine and/or friable material, and implement a risk based approach for effective dust mitigation, e.g. minimisation of topsoil stripping during adverse weather conditions; and

• Preparation of work areas prior to commencement of mining activities to minimise dust generation potential, e.g. watering of extraction areas.

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10 GREENHOUSE GAS 10.1 INTRODUCTION

Vipac Engineers and Scientists Ltd (Vipac) was commissioned by CDM Smith to prepare a greenhouse gas assessment for the Bauxite Hills Project, located 95 km north of Weipa, Queensland.

This assessment determines the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) emissions from the Project according to international and Federal guidelines.

10.2 BACKGROUND

Greenhouse gases (GHG’s) are a natural part of the atmosphere; they absorb and re-radiate the sun's warmth, and maintain the Earth's surface temperature at a level necessary to support life. Human actions, particularly burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), agriculture and land clearing, are increasing the concentrations of the greenhouse gases. This is the enhanced greenhouse effect, which is contributing to warming of the Earth.

Greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide and some artificial chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas. These gases vary in effect and longevity in the atmosphere, but scientists have developed a system called Global Warming Potential to allow them to be described in equivalent terms to CO2 (the most prevalent greenhouse gas) called equivalent carbon dioxide emissions (CO2-e). A unit of one tonne of CO2-e (t CO2-e) is the basic unit used in carbon accounting. An emissions inventory, or ‘carbon footprint’, is calculated as the sum of the emission rate of each greenhouse gas multiplied by the global warming potential.

10.3 LEGISLATION OVERVIEW

The Commonwealth National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (NGER Act) established a national framework for corporations to report greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The NGER Act requires corporations to submit an annual report in energy consumption, energy production and greenhouse gas emissions, if any of the following thresholds are met:

• The facility consumes more than 100 terajoules of energy in a financial year or emits greenhouse gases above 25,000 tonnes CO2-e (facility threshold); and

• All Australian facilities collectively consume more than 200 terajoules of energy in a financial year or emit greenhouse gases above 50,000 tonnes CO2-e (corporate threshold).

A facility is defined as an activity, or a series of activities (including ancillary activities), if it involves the production of greenhouse gas emissions, the production of energy or the consumption of energy; and forms a single undertaking or enterprise and meets the requirements of the regulations.

Metro Mining will not be required to report under the NGER Act as the Project is not expected to emit more than 25,000 tonnes of CO2-e per year.

10.4 METHODOLOGY

The DotE monitors and compiles databases on anthropogenic activities that produce greenhouse gases in Australia. The DotE has published greenhouse gas emission factors for a range of anthropogenic activities. The DotE methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions is published in the National Greenhouse Accounts (NGA) Factors workbook (DotE, 2015). This workbook is updated regularly to reflect current compositions in fuel mixes and evolving information on emission sources.

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The scope that emissions are reported, as defined by the NGA Factors Workbook is determined by whether the activity is within the organisation’s boundary (Scope 1 – Direct Emissions) or outside the organisation’s boundary (Scopes 2 and 3 – Indirect Emissions). The scopes are described below:

• Scope 1 Emissions: Direct (or point-source) emission factors give the kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) emitted per unit of activity at the point of emission release (i.e. fuel use, energy use, manufacturing process activity, mining activity, on-site waste disposal, etc.);

• Scope 2 Emissions: Indirect emissions from the generation of the electricity purchased and consumed by an organisation as kilograms of CO2-e per unit of electricity consumed; and

• Scope 3 Emissions: Indirect emissions for organisations that:

a. Burn fossil fuels: to estimate their indirect emissions attributable to the extraction, production and transport of those fuels; or

b. Consume purchased electricity: to estimate their indirect emissions from the extraction, production and transport of fuel burned at generation and the indirect emissions attributable to the electricity lost in delivery in the transmission and distribution network.

Scope 1 emissions include those from fuel use by vehicles, coal burnt in boilers and methane from wastewater systems. Scope 2 emissions are from any purchased electricity. Scope 3 emissions are from the emissions resulting from the energy required to manufacture products such as diesel and equipment.

Emission factors used in this assessment have been derived from either the Department of Environment, site-specific information or from operational details obtained from similar emission sources.

The majority of the emission factors used in this report has been sourced from the NGA Factors Workbook (DotE, 2015) as indicated in

Table E1. The carbon emissions for the embodied energy of materials have been derived from the Inventory of Carbon and Energy (Hammond, Professor Geoff and Jones, Craig, 2008).

Table E1: Emission Factors

Scope Emission Source Emission Factor Source

1

Combustion emissions from ULP (stationary) 2.38 t CO2-e / kL NGA Factors Workbook, 2014

Combustion emissions from diesel (stationary) 2.68 t CO2-e / kL NGA Factors Workbook, 2014

Combustion for transport (general) 2.69 t CO2-e / kL NGA Factors Workbook, 2014

3

Diesel consumption 0.2046 t CO2-e / kL NGA Factors Workbook, 2014

Embodied energy for concrete 0.13 kg CO2-e/kg Hammond and Jones, 2008

Embodied energy for bitumen 0.48 kg CO2-e/kg Hammond and Jones, 2008

Embodied energy for steel (general) 1.77 kg CO2-e/kg Hammond and Jones, 2008

For this assessment Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions have been calculated in accordance with the NGA Factors Workbook methodology.

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10.5 QUANTIFICATION OF EMISSIONS – CONSTRUCTION PHASE

This section will quantify the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions associated with the construction phase of the proposed Project.

Equipment Fuel

A typical construction equipment list has been derived based on previous assessments and the operational equipment list provided by Metro Mining.

Fuel consumption for each mobile plant has been determined from a database provided by Caterpillar in 2011. The database defines the fuel consumption of the entire Caterpillar fleet for low, medium and high engine load. The calculations in Table E2 are based on medium load as defined by Caterpillar’s definition of equipment usage and environmental surroundings. The equipment will be used 12 hours per day at 50-70% utilisation for the construction duration of seven months.

Table E2: Construction Equipment Fuel Emissions (CO2-e tonnes) Emission Source Scope Amount of Material (kL) Emissions (t CO2-e)

Excavator (CAT329) 1 (Direct) 25 66

3 (Embodied) 25 5

Dozer – (CAT D10) 1 (Direct) 125 335

3 (Embodied) 125 26

Grader(CAT 16H) 1 (Direct) 43 115

3 (Embodied) 43 9

Water Cart - (CAT 773) 1 (Direct) 63 170

3 (Embodied) 63 13

Wheeled Compactor (CAT 834) 1 (Direct) 30 80

3 (Embodied) 30 6

Truck (10t) 1 (Direct) 1 3

3 (Embodied) 1 Negligible

Total CO 2-e Emissions (tonnes) 824

Transport Fuel Emissions – Staff Movements and Deli veries

The transport fuel emissions have been calculated for deliveries and staff transport to work during the seven month construction phase. The following assumptions have been made for this assessment:

• 75 construction staff will travel from the mine village 10 km round-trip in 10 vehicles per day; and

• It is anticipated that approximately 30 barge movements, including both to and from the site, will be required during the construction period for equipment and infrastructure.

Table E3: Construction Transport Fuel Emissions (CO2-e tonnes)

Emission Source Scope Annual Usage (kL) Annual Emission s (t CO2-e)

Staff Movements 1 (direct) 2.1 4.89

3 (embodied) 2.1 0.40

Material Deliveries 1 (direct) 15 46.35

3 (embodied) 15 4.64

Total CO 2-e Emissions (tonnes) 56.28

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Embodied Energy of Construction Materials

The upstream emissions have been identified the embodied energy associated with the production of construction materials. The quantities of materials were assumed from previous assessments and from plans provided by CDM Smith in March 2015. The GHG emission estimations are shown in Table E4.

Table E4: Construction Embodied Energy Emissions (CO2-e tonnes)

Emission Source Scope Amount of Material Emissions (t CO 2-e)

Embodied energy of construction materials (concrete) 3 (Embodied) 15,000 m3 4,680

Embodied energy of construction materials (steel) 3 (Embodied) 1,000 m3 13,806

Embodied energy of construction materials (bitumen) 3 (Embodied) 100,000 m3 115,200

Total CO 2-e Emissions (tonnes) 133,686

The total emissions during the construction phase are 134,566 tonnes CO2-e during the construction phase, with the majority of the emissions from the embodied energy of the construction materials.

10.6 QUANTIFICATION OF EMISSIONS – OPERATIONAL PHAS E

During the operational phase of the Project, the GHG emissions will be from power generation, staff transport, and delivery transport fuel emissions. The annual CO2-e emissions and Life of the Project CO2-e emissions over 12 years are presented for the operational phase.

Purchased Power

The proposed development will not purchase any power from the grid.

Generator Fuel

Power requirements will be sourced from onsite diesel generators located within the MIA and the accommodation camp. The proposed generator configuration is:

• Two 500 kW CAT generators to provide a combined 1 Megawatt for the operation of the conveyors, ship loader and MIA which will operate at 75% load; and

• Two 250 kW CAT generators to provide 500 kW for the operation of the accommodation camp, which will operate at 50% load.

Table E5: Operational Generator Emissions (CO2-e tonnes)


Generator – Mine (2 x 500 kW at 75% load)

1 (direct) 1314 3526

3 (embodied) 1314 269

Generator – Village (2 x 250 kW at 50% load)

1 (direct) 248 667

3 (embodied) 248 51

Annual CO 2-e Emissions (tonnes) 4,513

Life of the Project CO 2-e Emissions (tonnes) 54,156

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Equipment Fuel

The operational equipment list is presented in Table E6. Fuel consumption for each plant has been determined from a database provided by Caterpillar in 2011. The database defines the fuel consumption of the entire Caterpillar fleet for low, medium and high engine load. The calculations in Table E6 are based on medium load as defined by Caterpillar’s definition.

It has been assumed that the operational equipment is used 5,840 hours per annum.

Table E6: Operational Equipment Fuel Emissions (CO2-e tonnes)


Front End Loader (CAT992) 1 (direct) 422 1132

3 (embodied) 422 87

Front End Loader (CAT 992) 1 (direct) 541 1452

3 (embodied) 541 111

Excavator (CAT329) 1 (direct) 112 301


Dozer – (CAT D10) 1 (direct) 407 1093

3 (embodied) 407 84

Grader(CAT 16H) 1 (direct) 195 524


Water Cart - (CAT 773) 1 (direct) 289 776


Wheeled Compactor (CAT 834) 1 (direct) 26 70

3 (embodied) 26 5

Truck (10t) 1 (direct) 1 3

3 (embodied) 1 Negligible



Haulage Fuel (from Pit to Barge Area)

Haul trucks with a payload of 130 tonnes will transport the ore from the Project to the product stockpile. It has been assumed that the hourly fuel consumption of the haul trucks is 40 L/h.

Table E7: Operational Haul Truck Emissions (CO2-e tonnes)


Haul Trucks 1 (direct) 438 1175

3 (embodied) 438 90



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Transport Fuel Emissions – Staff Movements

The transport fuel emissions have been calculated for direct emissions and from the upstream emissions of deliveries and staff transport to work. The following assumptions have been made for this assessment:

• 254 staff will be employed at the mine at peak operations. Approximately 100 personnel will be at the mine site at any one time (note: the personnel associated with the barge unloading and ore loading will not come ashore). Operational staff will travel from the mine village 10 km round-trip in 10 vehicles per day;

Table E9: Operational Transport Fuel Emissions (CO2-e tonnes)


Staff Movements 1 (direct) 6 14.2

3 (embodied) 6 1.1

Annual CO 2-e Emissions (tonnes) 15.3

Life of the Project CO 2-e Emissions (tonnes) 183.6

Barge Fuel

Barges will transport the ore from the Project site; the barges will also be used to transport supplies to the mine. Approximately 25,000 Litres of fuel will be used per day to transport the ore.

Table E10: Operational Barge Fuel Emissions (CO2-e tonnes)


Barge Fuel 1 (direct) 61 188

3 (embodied) 61 19

Annual CO 2-e Emissions (tonnes) 207


10.7 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The purpose of this report is to evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions from the construction and operation of the facility.

Table E10: Summary of Annual Emissions

Activity Annual Emission (t CO2-e)

Generator Fuel 4513

Equipment Fuel 7239

Transport Fuel (inc Staff movements) 1280

Barge Fuel 207

Annual Total 13,239

• The total emissions during the construction phase are 134,566 tonnes CO2-e during the construction phase, with the majority of the emissions from the embodied energy of the construction materials;

• During the operational phase the annual emissions are projected to be 13,239 tonnes CO2-e, which is below the threshold of reporting which is 25,000 tonnes CO2-e;

• The Life of Project emissions (operational phase only) are estimated to be 158,868 tonnes CO2-e; and

• Overall the emissions during the Project have been estimated to be 293 kilotonnes CO2-e.

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11 CONCLUSION

The assessment predicts concentrations of air pollutants based on computational modelling and determines controls where needed. The modelling is based on activity information provided by Metro Mining. The emission rates for individual mining activities were calculated in accordance with the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) - Emissions Estimation Technique (EET) Manual for Mining.

Construction activities were not modelled because the modelled operational phase has a higher impact than construction. The main air emissions from the Project operation will be particulate matter during mining operations; the dust generating activities include movement on haul roads, handling and transfer of materials and stockpiles. Additionally, wind-borne dust from exposed earth will be a contributing factor to the dust generation and has been considered in accordance with the NPI Manual for Mining. Emissions from vehicle exhausts, generators and ship movements have not been modelled as the emissions are small in comparison to the dust generating activities and will be located approximately 16 km from the sensitive receptors.

In order to assess the impact of a proposed Project on the airshed of the sensitive receptors, the incremental impact is quantified and added to existing background pollutant concentrations. In lieu of monitoring data Vipac carried out a detailed review of recent air quality assessments including the assessment for South of Embley Project located south of Weipa, and the Pisolite Hills Project to determine the existing background concentrations for dust deposition, TSP, PM10 and PM2.5.

Only one scenario was assessed to reflect the maximum production rate of 5 Mtpa. The results show:





A greenhouse gas assessment has been undertaken for the Project. This assessment determines the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) emissions from the Project according to international and Federal guidelines. The greenhouse gas emissions from the entire proposed 12 year construction and operation of the Project is estimated to be 293 kilotonnes CO2-e. Annual greenhouse gas rates are not expected to exceed 25,000 t CO2-e and therefore this Project does not trigger NGER requirements.

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12 BIBLIOGRAPHY

AECOM Australia Pty Ltd . (2013). Air Quality impact Assessment. Brisbane: AECOM Australia Pty Ltd .

ASK Consulting Engineers. (2010, May 17th). Pisolite Hill Bauxite Project - Draft Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Assessment. Brisbane, Queensland.

Barclay, Jennifer and Scire, Joe. (2011). Generic Guidance and Optimum Model Settings for the CALPUFF Modelling System for Inclusion into the 'Approved Methods for the Modelling and Assessments of Air Pollutants in NSW, Australia'. Sydney: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.

Department of Environment. (2015). National Greenhouse Accounts (NGA) Factors Workbook. Canberra: Department of Environment.

Department of Environment and Conservation. (2005). Approved Methods for the Modelling and Assessment of Air Pollutants in New South Wales. Sydney: Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW).

Department of Environment and Conservation. (2007). Approved Methods for the Sampling and Analysis of Air Pollutants in New South Wales. Sydney: Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW).

Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. (2014). Guideline - Application Requirements for Activities with Impacts to Air. Brisbane: Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.

Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. (2014, November 21). Guideline - Model Mining Conditions (EM944). Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Queensland Government.

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. (1999). National Pollution Inventory - Emissions Estimation Technique Manual for Aggregated Emissions from Paved and Unpaved Roads. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. (2012). National Pollution Inventory - Emission Estimation Technique Manual for Mining Version 3.1. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia.

GHD. (2013). Teresa Coal Project - Climate and Air Quality Baseline Report. Australia: GHD.

Hammond, Professor Geoff and Jones, Craig. (2008). Inventory of Carbon and Energy (ICE). Bath: University of Bath.

Katestone Environmental Pty Ltd. (2014). Air Quality Impact Assessment for the Taroborah Coal Project. Brisbane: Katestone Environmental Pty Ltd.

Katestone Environmental Pty Ltd. (2015, July 6). Air Quality Assessment for the Skardon River Bauxite Mine EIS. Milton, Queensland, Australia: Katestone Environmental Pty Ltd.

Metro Mining. (2015, February 26). Bauxite Hills Pre-Feasibility Study Report.

National Environment Protection Council. (1998). National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure. Canberra: NEPC.

Queensland Government. (1994). Environmental Protection Act . Brisbane: Queensland Government.

Queensland Government. (2008). Environmental Protection Regulation. Brisbane, Queensland: Queensland Government.

Rio Tinto Alcan. (No Date). Environmental Impact Statement - South of Embley - Section 9: Air Quality. Queensland, Australia: Rio Tinto Alcan.

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Standards Australia. (1990). Australian Standard AS 3580.9.6 - Methods for Sampling and Analysis of Ambient Air—Determination of Suspended Particulate Matter—PM10 High Volume Sampler with Size-Selective Inlet. ACT, Canberra: Standards Australia.

Standards Australia. (2001). AS/NZS 3580.9.10 - Methods for Sampling and Analysis of Ambient Air—Determination of Suspended Particulate Matter—PM2.5 Low Volume Sampler. ACT, Canberra: Standards Australia.

Standards Australia. (2003). AS/NZS 3580.10.1:2003 Methods for Sampling and Analysis of Ambient Air - Method 10.1: Determination of Particulate Matter - Deposited Matter - Gravimetric Method. Sydney: Standards Australia.

Standards Australia. (2003). AS/NZS 3580.9.3:2003 - Methods for Sampling and Analysis of Ambient Air—Determination of Suspended Particulate Matter—Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSP)—High Volume Sampler. ACT, Canberra: Standards Australia.

Standards Australia. (2006). Australian Standard AS 3580.9.9 - Methods for Sampling and Analysis of Ambient Air—Determination of Suspended Particulate Matter—PM10 Low Volume Sampler. ACT, Canberra: Standards Australia.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2005). Revision to the Guidance on Air Quality Models: Adoption of a Preferred General Purpose Dispersion Model and Other Revisions; Final Rule. Washington: United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Victorian EPA. (1990, July). Recommended Buffer Distances from Industrial Residual Air Emissions (AQ 2/86). Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Victorian EPA.

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GLOSSARY Appendix A

Ambient Monitoring Ambient monitoring is the assessment of pollutant levels by measuring the quantity and types of certain pollutants in the surrounding, outdoor air.

Carbon Dioxide Equivalent A metric measure used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases based upon their global warming potential (expressed as CO2-e).

Conveyor Mechanical handling equipment (which may include a belt, chain or shaker) used to move ore or other materials from one location to another.

Deforestation Conversion of forested lands for non-forest uses.

Deposited Matter Any particulate matter that falls from suspension in the atmosphere

Dust Generic term used to describe fine particles that are suspended in the atmosphere. The term is nonspecific with respect to the size, shape and chemical composition of the particles.

EHP Department of Environment, Heritage and Protection (Queensland)

Embodied energy Energy consumed by all of the processes associated with the production of a building, from the mining and processing of natural resources to manufacturing, transport and product delivery.

Emissions Release of a substance (usually a gas) into the atmosphere.

Emissions Factor Unique value for scaling emissions to activity data in terms of a standard rate of emissions per unit of activity (e.g., grams emitted per litre of fossil fuel consumed)

Fluorinated Gases Powerful synthetic greenhouse gases such that are emitted from a variety of industrial processes.

Fluorocarbons Carbon-fluorine compounds that often contain other elements such as hydrogen, chlorine, or bromine. Common fluorocarbons include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs).

Fugitive Dust Dust derived from a mixture of not easily defined sources. Mine dust is commonly derived from such non-point sources such as vehicular traffic on unpaved roads, materials transport and handling

Global Warming Potential Measure of the total energy that a gas absorbs over a particular period of time (usually 100 years), compared to carbon dioxide.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Any gas that absorbs infrared radiation in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride.

Haul Roads Roads used to transport extracted materials by truck around a mine site

Hydrocarbons Substances containing only hydrogen and carbon. Fossil fuels are made up of hydrocarbons.

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Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Compounds containing hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, and carbon atoms. Although ozone depleting substances, they are less potent at destroying stratospheric ozone than chlorofluorocarbons.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Compounds containing only hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms. HFCs are emitted as by-products of industrial processes and are also used in manufacturing.

Methane (CH4) A hydrocarbon that is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential most recently estimated at 25 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2).

MIA Mining Industrial Area

MLA Mining Lease Area

mg Milligram (g × 10-3)

Micron Unit of measure µm (metre × 10−6)

Nuisance Dust Dust which reduces environmental amenity without necessarily resulting in material environmental harm. Nuisance dust generally comprises particles greater than 10 micrograms.

Open Cut Mining Mining carried out on, and by excavating, the Earth’s surface for the purpose of extracting ore/coal, but does not include underground mining

Overburden Material of any nature that overlies a deposit of useful materials, ores or coal - especially those deposits mined from the surface by open cuts

PM10 Particulate matter less than 10 microns in size

PM2.5 Particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in size

TSP Total Suspended Particles is particulate matter with a diameter up to 50 microns

µg/m3 Micrograms per cubic metre

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YEARLY MINING SCHEDULE Appendix B

This assessment is based on the mining year 2024 when the mining activity is located closest to the sensitive receptors.

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EMISSION ESTIMATION EQUATIONS Appendix C

The major air emission from surface mining is fugitive dust. Emission factors can be used to estimate emissions of TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 to the air from various sources. Emission factors relate the quantity of a substance emitted from a source to some measure of activity associated with the source. Common measures of activity include distance travelled, quantity of material handled, or the duration of the activity.

The National Pollutant Inventory Emission Estimation Technique Manual for Mining (January 2012) provides the equations and emission factors to determine the emissions of TSP and PM10 from mining activities. These emission factors incorporate emission factors published by the USEPA in their AP-42 documentation.

Excavation on Overburden and Scrapers (Removing Top soil)

The default emission rates in the NPI EET for Mining have been used for this emission factor.

Screening

The default emission rates in the AP42 11.19.2 have been used.

Graders

The dust emission rate from graders has been calculated using the following equation:

�� kg /VKT

Where:

k = 0.0034 for TSP and PM10. A scaling factor of 0.031 has been applied to the TSP emission to derive the PM2.5

a = 2.5 for TSP and 2.0 for PM10

Haul Roads

The dust emission rate from haul roads has been calculated using the following equation:

�� .��.�� %��

α �� 0.45 kg /VKT

Where:

k = 4.9 for TSP, 1.5 for PM10 and 0.15 for PM2.5.

s(%) = surface material silt content (5.0%)

W = mean vehicle weight

a = 0.7 for TSP, 0.9 for PM10 and PM2.5

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Conveyors

The dust emission rate from conveyor transfer points has been calculated using the following equation:

�� 0.0016 $% �.�& '1.3

$) �& '1.4 kg /transfer point

Where:

k = 0.74 for TSP, 0.35 for PM10 and 0.074 for PM2.5

U = mean wind speed (3.1m/s)

M = material moisture content (10% - borehole data)

Truck Unloading at Stockpiles

Data from the boreholes show the ore has high moisture content which differs to the NPI EET for bauxite. The default NPI EET data for high moisture ore has been used.

Ship Loading

Data from the boreholes show the ore has high moisture content which differs to the NPI EET for bauxite. The default NPI EET data for high moisture ore has been used.

Wind Erosion

The emission rate for dust from stockpile has been calculated using the following equation for TSP:

�� 1.9 ��%��.� � 365

��+,�� -�%�

�� kg /ha /yr

Where:

s(%) = silt content (% by weight). A soil moisture content of 5% has been used.

P = number of days per year when rainfall is greater than 0.25 mm. A review of the long term metrological data from Bureau of Meteorology has determined there are 122 rainfall days per year. With the wet season removed, this is reduced to 34 days per year.

f(%) = percentage of time that wind speed is greater than 5.4 m/s at the mean height of the stockpile. The frequency of wind speed >5.4 m/s has been determined to be 4.9%.

The fraction of PM10 and PM2.5 in TSP are 50% and 75% respectively. These fractions derive from AP42 chapter 13.2.5.

Controls Applied

The only emissions control applied to the equations was a 50% reduction for haul road watering, or 1 L/m2/hour. Typically, this amount of watering is required for general haul road maintenance.

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POLLUTION PREDICTION CONTOURS Appendix D

Contour plots illustrate the spatial distribution of ground-level concentrations across the modelling domain for each time period of interest. However, this process of interpolation causes a smoothing of the base data that can lead to minor differences between the contours and discrete model predictions.

Pollutant:

TSP

Averaging Period:

Annual

Percentile:

MAX

Criteria:

90 µg/m3

Comment:

5 Mtpa with 50% Controls on Haul Roads

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Pollutant:

PM10

Averaging Period:

24 hour

Percentile:

MAX

Criteria:

50 µg/m3

Comment:


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Pollutant:

PM2.5

Averaging Period:

24 hour

Percentile:

MAX

Criteria:

25 µg/m3

Comment:


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Pollutant:

Dust Deposition

Averaging Period:

24 hour

Percentile:

MAX

Criteria:

120 mg/m2/day

Comment:


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AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN Appendix E

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of the Plan is to:

• Comply with the expected conditions of the Approval;

• Provide a description of the measures to be implemented by Metro Mining to mitigate air quality impacts; and

• Provide employees and/or contractors with a clear and concise description of their responsibilities in relation to air quality management during the operation of the Project.

Objectives

The Air Quality Management objectives of the Plan are to ensure that appropriate procedures and programs of work are in place to:

• Maintain an air quality monitoring system which can assess the air quality impact on surrounding sensitive receivers and performance against the legislative air pollution requirements;

• Detail the controls to be implemented to minimise dust generation from the site recognising that cumulative air quality is a key issue for the local community;

• Manage air quality related community complaints in a timely and effective manner; and

• Provide management commitments and strategies for dealing with air quality related issues.

Air Quality Management Controls

In order to mitigate any potential air quality impacts from the Project, a number of air quality management controls will be implemented throughout the life of the operation.

Change Management

Any significant change to operations, facilities, plant equipment and/or production processes will be assessed for impacts in air quality. The following items shall be recorded:

• Identify the change;

• Assess the potential risks associated with the change and develop a risk management plan;

• Approve the change subject to the risk management plan;

• Communicate and implement the change and risk management actions;

• Monitor and evaluate the change and risk management plan; and

• Document the change management process.

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Training

General awareness training is provided to all new employees and contractors as part of the general induction program.

Air Quality Monitoring Program

Due to the distances involved, a monitoring programme is not considered necessary. However, in the event that a complaint is made, it is recommended that any monitoring is undertaken in accordance with the Model Mining Conditions:

• Dust deposition to be monitored in accordance with the most recent version of Australian Standard AS 3580.10.1 - Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air—Determination of particulate matter—Deposited matter – Gravimetric method;

• PM10 to be monitored in accordance with the most recent version of either: 1. Australian Standard AS 3580.9.6 - Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air—Determination of suspended particulate matter—PM

10 high volume sampler with size-selective

inlet – Gravimetric method, or 2. Australian Standard AS 3580.9.9 - Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air—Determination of suspended particulate matter—PM

10 low volume sampler—Gravimetric method;

• PM2.5 to be monitored in accordance with the most recent version of AS/NZS 3580.9.10 - Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air—Determination of suspended particulate matter—PM2.5 low volume sampler—Gravimetric method; and

• TSP to be monitored in accordance with the most recent version of AS/NZS 3580.9.3:2003 - Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air—Determination of suspended particulate matter—Total suspended particulate matter (TSP)—High volume sampler gravimetric method.

Community Complaints

Community complaints management includes receipt of complaints, investigation, implementation of appropriate remedial action, and feedback to the complainant as well as communication to site management or personnel and notification to external bodies, such as the EHP.

Accountabilities

A generic list of roles and accountabilities for employees and contractors in relation to the Air Quality Management Plan are outlined below and will be incorporated into the Project’s environmental licence conditions as required.

CDM Smith

Bauxite Hills


5 April 2016

Page 52 of 52


70Q-14-0405-TRP-519673-0

Person Responsible Responsibilities

Operations Manager

• Approve appropriate resources for the implementation of this Plan. • Ensure the effective implementation of strategies designed to reduce air quality

impacts from the operation. • Ensure air quality issues are reported in accordance with legal requirements. • Authorise internal reporting requirements of this plan.

Environment and Community

Manager/Officer

• Provide that sufficient resources are allocated for the implementation of this program.

• Identify air quality risks and impacts to the environment and assess resources required to mitigate identified risks and impacts within the site.

• Ensure that the air quality management controls are implemented in accordance with this Plan.

• Ensure that the results of monitoring are evaluated and reported to senior management and to relevant personnel for consideration as part of ongoing mine planning.

• Ensure any potential or actual air quality is reported in accordance with legal requirements and the corporate standard.

• Provide visible and proactive leadership in relation to the air quality management. • Ensure that operational changes consider the potential air quality impacts to

adjacent private landowners. • Coordinate progressive rehabilitation to minimise disturbed areas. • Ensure monitoring equipment is operated in accordance with relevant industry

standards and protocols.

Mine Managers, Supervisor, and

Task Coordinators

• Provide that sufficient resources are allocated for the implementation of this Plan, as required.

• Ensure adequate resources are budgeted for in relation to air quality. • Ensure that operational changes consider the potential impacts of dust emissions

from the Project on the surrounding environment. • Monitor that team members and contractors carry out work appropriate monitoring

and maintenance tasks. • Ensure any potential or actual air quality emissions are controlled. • Conduct daily inspections of the work area to monitor compliance with this plan. • Provide input to management on the adequacy and effectiveness of this plan. • Ensure the effective implementation of strategies designed to reduce air quality

impacts from the Project. • Provide visible and proactive leadership in relation to air quality management. • Ensure personnel working at the operation are aware of the air quality

management obligations whilst working with Metro Mining.

All employees and Contractors

• Ensure the effective implementation of this Plan with respect to their work area. • Ensure any potential or actual air quality management issues, including

environmental incidents, are reported to the Project Manager or Supervisor. • Ensure equipment (relevant to task/area of responsibility) is maintained and

operated in a proper and efficient manner. • Where practicable, prevent the tracking of material onto sealed roads by washing

material off vehicles prior to exiting site.

Documents

Metro Mining Appendix F - Air Quality and Metro Mining ......Rivers and five kilometres from the existing port at Skardon River, as shown in Figure 2-1. The Project is a proposed open-cut