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Palmer Civil Construction
Cranbrook Quarry WA
MINING PROPOSAL
Authorised By:
Michael Palmer – Director
Date: 19/10/2017
This Plan is the property of Palmer Civil Construction and may not be copied
distributed or used without the written consent.
REV CODE
DATE OF SUBMISSION
DESCRIPTION & SECTION/PAGE OF REVISIONS
MADE
PREPARED BY
REVIEWED BY
AUTHORISED BY
1 18/10/2017 Original C Barker M Palmer M Palmer
Distribution List
COPYHOLDER DETAILS COPY TYPE COPYHOLDER POSITION COPY TYPE
Chris Barker Original Mining Consultant Electronic
Daniel Palmer Copy Business Owner Electronic
Copy Cranbrook Shire CEO Hard Copy
Electronic
Copy Cranbrook Shire Planning Consultant Electronic
Proposal Quarry Location: Lot 8078, Climie Road, Cranbrook WA 6321 Document ID Number: HMP - 002
MINING PROPOSAL CHECKLIST
Mining Proposal checklist Y/N NA
Page No
Comments
Is there any information in this mining proposal that should not be publicly available?
Y Mining Proposal contains commercially sensitive material. Mining Proposal is not available for distribution or to be copied without written consent.
If “No” to Q1, do you have any problem with the information contained in this mining proposal being publicly available?
N/A
If “Yes” to Q2, has confidential information been submitted in a separate document/section?
N/A
Are you aware that the mining proposal will be advertised for public comment?
Y
Has the mining proposal been endorsed? See last page Checklist.
Y
Have you included the proposal address and date in the title page?
Y
Who authored the mining proposal? (Please include telephone number of author)
Chris Barker 0438 397 470
State who to contact enquiries about the mining proposal
Chris Barker
How many copies were submitted to Shire of Cranbrook
Hard copies = 1
Electronic = 1
Does this mining proposal support a lease application?
N
Has a geological resource statement been included
N/A Not required for basic raw material extraction
Will more than 10 million tonnes of ore and waste be extracted per year? State total tonnage:
N
Will more than two million tonnes of ore be processed be year? State total throughout.
N
Is the mining proposal located on pre-1899 Crown Grant lands? (not subject to the Mining Act)
N
Is the mining proposal located on reserve land? If “Yes” state reserve types
N
Will the mining proposal occur within or affect a declared occupied town site?
N
Is the mining proposal within two km of the coastline or a Private Conservation Reserve?
N
Is the mining proposal wholly or partially within a World Heritage Property, Biosphere Reserve, Heritage Site or Soil Reference Site.
N
Are all mining operations within alienated land boundaries?
Y
Are you the land holder of the proposed site?
N Land transfer contract subject to quarry approval
If “No”, do you have written contract from the land (s) holder to undertake approval activities
Y
Is “Yes” at 21, is a copy of the contract contained within the mining proposal?
Y Appendix 8
Have you checked for compliance against environmental conditions?
Y
Have you included location plans showing boundaries and mining operations?
Y Appendix 6
Have you included site layout plans showing all mining operations and infrastructure in relation to land boundaries?
Y Appendix 6
Have you included Area of Disturbance Tables for all tenements impacted by mining operations?
Y
Does the mining proposal require referral under part
N
four or the MOU? If ‘Yes’ describe why in space below:
Has the EPA set a level of assessment? If yes state:
N
Is a clearing permit required? If ‘No’ then explain why in space below?
Y
If ‘Yes’ at Q29 then has a permit been applied for?
Y Clearing Permit lodged with DWER
Is a works approval required by the DWER?
Y
Has a Works Approval been submitted to the DWER?
Y Works Approval application lodged with DWER
Stakeholder Consultation - Have the following stakeholders been consulted?
Shire? Y Received advice from Shire Consultant
Pastoralist? Y Local Landholder consulted
DWER? Y Lodged clearing and work permit approval
Main Roads? Y
DMP Y PMP submitted to DMP. Site meeting with Mines Inspectors
Others? (specify): N
Is the mining proposal wholly or partially within DWER managed areas?
N
If ‘yes’ at Q34 has DWER been consulted?
N/A
Is the mining proposal wholly or partially within a red book area or a bush forever site?
N
Will the mining proposal impact upon a water resource area, water reserve, declared or proposed catchment, groundwater protection area, significant lake or wetland?
N
Is a water or de-watering licence required?
N
If ‘Yes’ at Q39 then has the licence(s) been applied for?
N/A
Does the mining proposal include a new tailings storage or changes to existing tailings storage?
N
Has AMD assessment been undertaken?
N/A Rock Test Appendix 7
No Sulphides are present in the Granite. Disturbed laterite gravel areas have healthy native regrowing. Water in disturbed areas will be contained within the proposed mining lease.
Have flora and fauna checks been undertaken?
N DWER has completed a site assessment advised on the area applied for will not require a Flora assessment.
Are any rare species present?
N
Has preliminary closure plan been included?
Y
Do you acknowledge that the electronic contain identical information
Y
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the above checklist accurately reflects the information contained within this Mining Proposal. Michael Palmer Director Name: ___________________________ Position: __________________________ 16/10/2017 Signed: __________________________ Date: _____________________________
Contents
1.0. BACKGROUND INFORMATION .................................................................................................... 2
1.1. Project Summary ..................................................................................................................... 2
1.2. Potential Environmental Impacts and Controls ...................................................................... 3
1.3. Relevant Stakeholders ............................................................................................................ 5
1.4. Summary of Commitments ..................................................................................................... 7
2.0. BACKGROUND INFORMATION .................................................................................................... 8
2.1. Ownership ............................................................................................................................... 8
2.2. Project Objectives ................................................................................................................... 8
2.3. Location and Site Layout Plans ............................................................................................... 8
2.4. History ..................................................................................................................................... 8
2.5. Existing Facilities ..................................................................................................................... 9
3.0. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................................ 9
3.1. Regional Settings ..................................................................................................................... 9
3.2. Geology ................................................................................................................................... 9
3.3. Characterisation of Waste Rock and Tailings .......................................................................... 9
3.4. Soils and Soil Profiles ............................................................................................................ 10
3.5. Hydrology .............................................................................................................................. 10
3.6. Flora ...................................................................................................................................... 12
3.7. Social Environment ............................................................................................................... 14
4.0. PROJECT DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................. 15
4.1. Area of Disturbance Tables ................................................................................................... 15
4.2. Mining Operations ................................................................................................................ 15
4.3. Mine Production and Rehabilitation Schedule ..................................................................... 16
4.4. Rock Processing ..................................................................................................................... 17
4.5. Production Schedule ............................................................................................................. 17
4.6. Support Facilities ................................................................................................................... 18
4.7. Workforce ............................................................................................................................. 18
4.8. Transport Corridors ............................................................................................................... 18
4.9. Resource Requirements and Regional Infrastructure ........................................................... 18
4.10. Compliance with Legislation and Other Approvals ........................................................... 19
5.0. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MANAGEMENT .................................................................... 20
5.1. Land Clearing ......................................................................................................................... 20
5.2. Water .................................................................................................................................... 20
5.3. Flora and Fauna and Ecosystem............................................................................................ 23
5.4. Topsoil and Topsoil Profiles .................................................................................................. 23
5.5. Domestic and Industrial Waste Products .............................................................................. 24
5.6. Waste Rock ........................................................................................................................... 24
5.7. Hydrocarbon Management ................................................................................................... 25
5.8. Dangerous Goods .................................................................................................................. 25
5.9. Atmospheric Pollution and Noise ......................................................................................... 26
5.10. Impacts Identified and Management Commitments Summary ....................................... 28
6.0. SOCIAL IMPACTS ....................................................................................................................... 31
6.1. Land Use and Community ..................................................................................................... 31
6.2. Social Environment ............................................................................................................... 31
6.3. Workforce Induction and Training ........................................................................................ 31
7.0. MINE CLOSURE PLAN ................................................................................................................ 32
7.1. Post Mining Land Use ............................................................................................................ 32
7.2. Rehabilitation ........................................................................................................................ 32
8.0. Bibliography .............................................................................................................................. 34
Appendix List
APPENDIX 1 - MINE CLOSURE PLAN (A1) APPENDIX 2 – PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN (A2) APPENDIX 3 - EXPLOSIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN (A3) APPENDIX 4 - DUST MANAGEMENT PLAN (A4) APPENDIX 5 - DIE BACK MANAGEMENT PLAN (A5) APPENDIX 6 - SURVEY PLAN & AERIAL MAPS (A6) APPENDIX 7 - ROCK TESTING DATA (A7) APPENDIX 8 - LAND SALE CONTRACT & TITLE DOC (A8) APPENDIX 9 - CORRESPONDENCE (A9) APPENDIX 10 - RISK ASSESSMENTS (Operational & Mine Closure Gap Analysis) (A10)
1.0. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Figure 1. Existing Unrehabilitated Quarry Site
1.1. Project Summary
The proposed quarry consists of a Granite Aggregate crushing and screening operation. The Granite Aggregate will be supplied to local councils, main roads and road construction and maintenance contractors. Granite products manufactured will be aggregates, fines, rip rap and drainage aggregates. The proposed quarry is located on Lot 8078, Climie Road, Cranbrook WA 6321. The quarry will crush and screen for approximately 40 days per year, dependant on orders. Blast will take place between 1 and 3 times per year. The quarry was previously mined in the 1980’s and left unrehabilitated.
1.2. Potential Environmental Impacts and Controls
Summary of potential environmental impacts and management of impacts below.
• Land Clearing – The DWER has completed a site assessment and provided guidance on what areas will require a Flora and Vegetation assessment. A clearing permit has been submitted to the DWER for assessment based on the area identified as not requiring a Flora and Vegetation assessment with vegetation in degraded to good condition. Vegetation within the southern portion of the application area contains vegetation in an excellent (Keighery, 1994) condition and will require a flora survey if any future development is to take place. The area that is currently under application for an Extractive Industry Licence is outside this southern portion containing excellent native vegetation.
• Water – Water run-off from site poses a risk of erosion and contaminating waterways in the surrounding area. Management of water will include water catchment infrastructure, hydrocarbon management, effluent management, rehabilitation methods to control erosion and soil stability, daily site inspections & monthly rehabilitation inspections. Mine dewatering will not be utilised due to the profile of excavations and water infrastructure designed to trap water within the quarry. Water capture infrastructure will be set up to stop discharge points from disturbed areas. Acid mine drainage will not be an issue as outlined in provided soil samples and the Dolerite and Granite are barren in nature free of sulphides. Water for dust suppression will be sourced from mains and delivered to site via a water truck and supplemented with rainfall runoff that is trapped within disturbed areas. All site water will be recycled into the crushing circuit to minimise dust emissions.
• Flora and Fauna – Risks to flora and fauna include land clearing, vehicle movement and habitat degradation. Controls to ensure impacts are limited include spotters when clearing, ensuring clearing area is well delineated, appointing certified wildlife carers for injured animals, inspections of areas for fauna and providing training to employees on the companies and their responsibilities in complying with relevant legislation. Traffic management will be implemented to ensure speed is controlled. The proposed quarry area has been inspected for Black Cockatoo nesting sites and no suitable trees are present within the proposed boundary.
• Topsoil and Topsoil Profiles – The Atlas of Australian Soils maps the soils for the site as Map Unit Tc6, which is a dissected lateritic plateau. The main soils are hard acidic yellow or red mottled soils, and brown earths. All soils contain ironstone laterite gravels. Topsoil is considered a vital resource for future mine rehabilitation. The top 0.5m of laterite gravel from areas being cleared will be stockpiled and used as a finishing material. Laterite gravel spoil from previous mining activity has been pushed through the bush. Regrowth has occurred in this material and it will be recovered and stockpiled for future rehabilitation. Weeds will be controlled by a combination of inspections to identify weeds and spot spraying.
• Domestic and Industrial Waste – Waste will be controlled on site using designated bins and recycled where possible. Effluent and grey water will be contained in a storage cell under the ablution block and removed from site for treatment by a specialist contractor.
• Waste Rock and Tailings – All rock on site will be a saleable product and stockpiled in the stockyard. Any rock material available when the quarry closes will be used as a base material to support the topsoil rehabilitation. There will be no tailings from the quarry or borrow pit operations.
• Hydrocarbon Management - Hydrocarbons will be used on site in the form of fuel, oil and lubricants. Management of hydrocarbons will include self-containing bulk hydrocarbon storage, waste oil removed from site as produced, hydrocarbon spill kits, water management, contaminated material clean-up and disposal methodology, hydrocarbon absorption booms used on sumps and drains, machinery pre-starts and daily site inspections.
• Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Substances – Dangerous goods are limited to blasting campaigns and fuel storage. Explosives will not be stored onsite Explosives required for blasting will be transported to site the day of the blast with excess explosives being returned the same day to the point of origin.
• Atmospheric Pollution and Noise – Dust and noise will be produced by the quarry operation. The closest sensitive land use area to emission points is 1528m. Dust, fumes and noise from blasting will be controlled by rigorous blasting practice as outlined in Appendix 3 Blasting Methodology. Controls include blast QAQC methodology, risk assessment for each blast that consider wind direction, cloud cover that may reflect concussion and suitable exclusion zones. Adjoining land owners, local council and police will be notified of any blasting taking place and blast notification boards will be used on the day of any blast. Dust produced from mining activity will be controlled with water suppression. Noise is unlikely to be an issue due to proximity of quarry to sensitive receivers. Quarrying activities will also be limited to daylight hours. Controls for localised noise will include mandatory hearing protection areas that are signposted and PPE including hearing protection to be provided to all employees and visitors.
1.3. Relevant Stakeholders
Shire of Cranbrook The Cranbrook Shire has been contacted and have provided preliminary advice on their Extractive Industry position and requirements. Local Landholders A discussion has taken place between the local landholder and Chris Barker. The landholder indicated they are supportive of re-opening the existing quarry site. No other land holders are within an area that will be affected by quarry operations. DWER Department of Water and Environmental Regulation was contacted and have completed a site inspection. A Clearing Permit, Works Permit and Prescribed Works Licence have been applied for. Contact Details: Jaren Hart Clearing Regulation Officer Department of water & Environment Regulation Phone: 6364 7151 Email: [email protected] DMP A Project Management Plan has been submitted to the Department of Mines and Petroleum. A meeting was held onsite between Chris Barker and Mines Inspectors Peter O’Loughlin and Arthur Baker on Friday the 15th of September. Discussions included environmental management, safety management, site layout and the existing hazards associated with the abandoned quarry. Contact Details: Peter O’Loughlin Senior Inspector of Mines Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Phone: 9734 2158 Mobile: 0427 993 074 Email: [email protected] South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council (SWALSC)
A meeting was held between the SWALSC working group and Chris Barker on the
27/06/2017 at the SWALSC head office in Cannington.
The proposed Cranbrook quarry was discussed and it was agreed that an agreement would
not be needed due to the freehold nature of the proposed site.
Contact
Matt Casey
Legal Officer
South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council
Phone: 9358 7400
Email: [email protected]
Cranbrook Quarry - Stakeholder Consultation Register
Date Description Consultation
Stakeholder Stakeholder comment/issue
Proponent Response and /or resolution
Stakeholder Response
11/08/2017 Emailed Advice
Shire Cranbrook
Stakeholder preliminary advice
Advised addressing items highlighted
Ongoing
05/07/2017 Onsite discussion
Local Landholder
Discussed re-opening quarry site
Discussed noise, dust, trucks, blasting Management plan for issues
Acceptable
27/06/2017 Meeting SWALSC Freehold land no requirements No registered site applicable
N/A Acceptable
03/10/2017 Email advice DWER Reduce mining area due to flora condition, submit works approval
Works approval submitted, mining area reduced
Ongoing
15/09/2017 Onsite Meeting
DMP Happy with proposal, requested PMP submission
PMP currently being submitted
Ongoing
1.4. Summary of Commitments
POLICY – ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Palmer Civil Construction is committed to responsible environmental management of its business activities. Palmer Civil Construction will continue to improve environmental management standards by:
• Ensuring that we plan, manage and review environmental aspects of our
Quarry.
• Comply with relevant environmental standards as a minimum and exceed
these standards where possible.
• Assess environmental risks and put controls in place to minimise impacts to
the environment.
• Prevent polluting, reduce waste and where practicable committing to waste
recovery and recycling as opposed to disposal.
• Communicate environmental requirements to all employees and
contractors.
• Seek and encourage the input of employees in relation to improvements in
environmental management.
• Work cooperatively with Environmental Departments to obtain the best
environmental outcomes for the site.
• Commit to rehabilitating disturbed areas to as good or better condition
where possible.
DANIEL PALMER REGISTERED MANAGER PALMER CIVIL CONSTRUCTION 28/08/2017
DATE
2.0. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
2.1. Ownership
Land Owner/Seller: Gordon Alan Gibson Land Ownership Status: Subject to (Contract of Sale of Land) Land Buyer: Palmer Earthworks (Australia) Pty Ltd Conditions of Sale: Subject to approval of quarry operations Location of quarry: Lot 8078 Climie Road, Cranbrook. Diagram 57639. 2.2. Project Objectives
The quarry will produce a range of products including rail ballast, road aggregates, concrete aggregates, fines products and armour rock. These products will be supplied to government departments and the private sector for road and rail construction. Expected production rate is 20,000 to 50,000 tons per year. The quarry is expected to operate for 21 years and have a total cleared area of less than 10.42 Hectares. 2.3. Location and Site Layout Plans
• Site survey pickups available in Appendix 5.
2.4. History
The proposed quarry location consists of an old quarry mined in the 1980’s. The site currently has a large excavation mined down to approximately 30 meters. There is significant disturbance of flora from the previous quarry operation. The site was not rehabilitated the last time it was abandoned. Regrowth has occurred on fines stockpiles, dump areas and above the quarry where overburden was pushed up top allow access to the Granite. The existing quarry has been abandoned in a state that does not prevent inadvertent access by the general public. Hazards at the quarry include direct access to open edges and unstable rocks on the quarry batter.
Figure 2 – Existing Quarry Floor Figure 3 – Existing High Wall
2.5. Existing Facilities There is a gravel access road leading into site which has been sheeted with granite fines. The access road to the Albany Highway has clear vision both ways suitable for trucks entering. The existing quarry has been abandoned without rehabilitation or suitable controls to prevent public access to hazards including unrehabilitated quarry and stockyards and dangerous high walls where there is a rick from fall.
3.0. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
3.1. Regional Settings
The area around the quarry consists of farmland. The site has mid-storey/understory of
various tree and shrub species at variable densities.
The geology represents laterite gravels with some minor Granite outcropping in higher
areas. A Dolerite dike runs North South through the existing quarry.
The quarry is located 3.6km East of Cranbrook WA.
3.2. Geology
The predominant material in the quarry is Granite. There are some minor Granite outcrops
occurring around the proposed mining lease but the Granite is predominantly covered in
laterite gravel. The Granite is barren in nature.
Both the Granite and Dolerite have been test and both comply with Main Roads specification
for sealing aggregates. Rock testing tabled in Appendix 6.
No resource statement has been provided as the purpose of the mining proposal application
is to extract basic Raw Materials (rock, sand or gravel).
3.3. Characterisation of Waste Rock and Tailings
There will be no waste rock or tailings produced on site. All rock is a saleable product.
There are no signs of sulphides or acid soils that will cause issues with drainage and
vegetation regrowth.
There is no salinity issues associated with the site. All native regrowth in disturbed areas is
healthy.
3.4. Soils and Soil Profiles
The Atlas of Australian Soils maps the soils for the site as Map Unit Tc6, which is a
dissected lateritic plateau. The main soils of hard acidic yellow or red mottled soils, and
brown earths. All soils contain ironstone gravels.
(Natural Resource Information Centre 1991).
Previous mining has pushed up the laterite cover off the Granite.
There are different layers of laterite gravel. As the gravel gets deeper clay is introduced.
All areas where laterite gravel has been pushed up native vegetation is in good condition.
3.5. Hydrology
This section outlines proposed water management strategies and findings of inspections.
It is not clear where the maximum seasonal groundwater levels are inside the lease boundary. Data collected from the Hydstra databases of local bores does not provide enough information to define the maximum seasonal ground water level. An inspection of the proposed lease area was conducted on the 05/07/2017 to ascertain if any groundwater fed soaks are present. The inspection was also conducted directly above the proposed lease. There are no groundwater fed soaks present on this part of the rise or over the lease boundary. The existing 30m high batter was inspected for any indication of dynamic water. There are no indications of dynamic water that may be recharging the quarry floor from groundwater. No groundwater inflows were identified. All water within the existing quarry is being recharged by sheet flow. When there is dynamic water, or the water table rises and falls away from Granite, weathered zones occur within the rock mass. There are no signs of weathered zones within the rock or free boundaries at the quarry. This includes the 30m exposed high wall. The rock is massive in nature without weathering indicating the current quarry level has not intercepted the water table at any time. There are indications that substantial amounts of run-off from rainfall events are entering the quarry indicated by wash outs. The existing quarry floor has standing water present for approximately 5 months per year. The following methods are proposed to identify maximum seasonal ground water level;
• A drill rig will be mobilised to site for the first drill and blast campaign. This drill rig will drill a piezometer hole to monitor maximum ground water level. The hole will be drilled at 127mm and cased with 100mm slotted pvc pipe. Depth dependent on groundwater level.
• The location of the piezometer hole will be ascertained once mining has commenced.
• Monitoring of the piezometer hole will take place to ascertain the maximum seasonal ground water level.
• Mining is not to advance past the existing quarry floor until the maximum groundwater level is understood.
• Once seasonal maximum groundwater level is known, design pit depth will stand off a minimum of 300mm from this maximum groundwater level.
There is no plan to intercept the water table as this adds mining cost (dewatering equipment
& infrastructure, cost of drilling blasting increases, reduced efficiencies when processing wet
rock).
Once a suitable mining area is developed horizontally, mining will advance down. This is to
limit the mine footprint and amount of bushland required to be cleared. Due to this the
finished pit shell will also leave standing water from rain fall as is the case at present. As the
final pit floor will be designed to stand off the maximum seasonal groundwater level and rely
on rainfall to recharge, no water will escape from the remaining pit shell. This is also the
case of the current existing quarry.
No bores will be utilised on site. Mains potable water will be brought to site via a water truck
for dust suppression. Water for dust suppression will be supplemented by rain water retained
in the quarry footprint.
Drains and sumps will be established to contain water within disturbed areas while mining.
This is to mitigate any possibile water contamination.
The proposal is not located within a designated water reserve, drinking water source area or
has a priority assigned. If a priority is assigned in the future Palmer Civil Construction will
abide by appropriate ground water buffers in compliance with any requirements of the
priority. This may include a 3.0m standoff of water table for P1 areas.
Controls have been developed to minimise the risk of hydrocarbons entering the water
course. These include storing bulk oil and fuel in self bunded facilities.
Any hydrocarbon spills will be cleaned up and deposited in a large contaminated soil bin
located on site. Clean up methods may include the use of spill kits, spill trays, bunds, digging
up contaminated soil with excavator and loaders and placing contaminated soil and clean up
material in allocated bins.
All contaminated soil and material will be taken to a suitable processing facility for treatment.
Spill kits will be available at different locations around site including the hydrocarbon storage
facility and on the service truck.
Any Hydrocarbons that appear on sump surfaces will be removed by applying floating
hydrocarbon absorption booms. The booms will be disposed of in appropriate waste facilities
once they have removed any hydrocarbons.
If rainfall events look to be overwhelming water storage capacity, a D10 Bulldozer and 50
tonne excavator can be used to quickly increase storage capacity.
3.6. Flora The DWER has completed a site inspection and provided the below map of flora condition. The vegetation within the southern portion of the application area contains vegetation in an excellent (Keighery,1994) condition and will require a flora survey for development to commence. As such the mining area has been reduced to remove the higher value vegetation from the proposal.
Figure 5 - Vegetation Condition supplied by the DWER.
Figure 6 – Revised application area
3.7. Social Environment
A meeting was held between Chris Barker and the South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council on the 27/06/2017. The Aboriginal proponents advised there would be no requirements on the Cranbrook site as it was freehold land. The search for registered sites from the Department of Aboriginal Affairs website, as below
in Figure 7 indicates there are no Registered Aboriginal sites covering the proposed mining
area.
Figure 7 - Registered site search
4.0. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
4.1. Area of Disturbance Tables
Description of Mining Disturbance New Area Previous Area
Mining void (with a depth of at least 5 metres) - above ground water level
23,508m² 11,091m²
Mining and emission area total 34,599m²
Laydown or hardstand area (Stockyards)
26,277m²
Workshop area
2,013m²
Hydrocarbon storage
2,216m²
Heavy vehicle parking
3,047m²
Office LV Parking
1,200m²
Native Vegetation Buffer Zones
7,778m²
Site access roads and unused open space 27,120m²
Disturbed Undisturbed
Total area broken into disturbed and undisturbed areas at end of project
10.42 hectares 0
Total Proposed Quarry Area
10.42 hectares 0
Total Property Area 16.6 hectares
6.18 hectares
4.2. Mining Operations
The quarry consists of a crushing and screening aggregate operation, loading of trucks and drill and blast campaigns that occur approximately every four to six months. Drilling will take approximately 1 week to complete. Blasting will be completed in one day. No explosives will be stored on site. The proposed quarry location consists of an old quarry mined in the 1980’s. There is significant disturbance of flora from the previous quarry operation. Employee numbers are expected to be between 4 and 8 personnel. Rosters for employees are day ligh hours only, duration of shift is 10 hours. Long distance commuting is not an issue as employees are sourced from local labour and out of town employees will board locally. The expected life of the quarry operations is 21 years from commencement date.
The quarry will produce a range of products including rail ballast, road aggregates, concrete aggregates, fines products, and armour rock. Expected production rate once fully operational is 30,000 tonnes per year of Granite aggregates. 4.3. Mine Production and Rehabilitation Schedule
Production in Tonnes Rehabilitation in Hectares
Year Granite Aggregates
Clearing Schedule
Stockyard/Office Mining Area
1 10,000 6.6
2 20,000 3.82
3 30,000
4 30,000
5 30,000
6 30,000
7 30,000
8 30,000
9 30,000
10 30,000
11 30,000
12 30,000
13 30,000
14 30,000
15 30,000
16 30,000
17 30,000
18 30,000
19 30,000
20 30,000 2.1 1.2
21 20,000 4.86 2.26
Total 590,000 10.42 6.96 3.46
Blasted stocks will be fed to the crusher via a 50 tonne excavator. Aggregates are loaded and stockpiled via a Caterpillar 980 wheel loader. Semi-trucks will be loaded via a Caterpillar 966 wheel loader. Further equipment that will be utilised on site include a service truck, water cart for dust suppression, jaw crusher, two cone crushers, four screens, bobcat, Caterpillar IT28 Integrated tool Carrier, WA500 wheel loader and 35t articulated dump trucks. Infrastructure will include a relocatable office, ablution block, crib room, hydrocarbon storage and dome covered workshop. Drill and Blast campaigns will be performed by a specialist contractor. Blasts will typically be 10,000 BCM. Explosive products used will be emulsion blend bulk explosive, ANFO, 150g boosters, 25mm pre-split, 5 gram detonator cord and Nonel initiating systems. The first development of the quarry will take place North of the existing quarry. As mining advances exposed batters will be suitably scaled with a 50 tonne excavator. Due to the foot wall structure of the high wall, batter stability at the Cranbrook Quarry is very good to excellent. Final wall blasting techniques will be implemented that will produce clean stable batters.
The existing quarry has been abandoned in a state that does not prevent inadvertent access by the general public. Hazards at the quarry include direct access to open edges, unstable rocks on the quarry batters and possible hidden drop offs on the quarry floor that is covered in water. Once approval has been received to operate the quarry, Palmer Civil Construction will erect fencing, erect safety signs, establish windrows to protect against open edges, establish windrows to restrict access to batters with unstable rocks and block access tracks leading into the site. A locked main access gate will be installed that will stop vehicle access to the quarry when not in operation. Dust will be produced during crushing and screening campaigns. Dust monitoring will be completed for exposure levels. A risk assessment for personnel working in dusty conditions has been complete and controls will be put in place including water suppression on the crushing circuit and use of a water cart to minimise dust around the site. Dangerous goods are limited to the blasting campaigns. Details of the control measures are outlined in Appendix 2 Explosives Management Plan. No explosives will be stored on site. The blast crew will transport the required explosives to site the day of blasting and any excess explosives will be returned to the point of origin directly after blasting. Finished products will be transported to the stockyard and stockpiled by articulated dump trucks. Trucks will be loaded by a combination of excavators and loaders. Semi-trucks will be loaded in designated areas in the stockyard with loaders. These trucks will deliver saleable product to customers. Dewatering will not be required. There is no dynamic water present on the proposed mining lease and all water from rainfall events in the quarry will be captured for the future use of supressing dust around the site. 4.4. Rock Processing All crushing and screen equipment used is mobile plant. Blasted stocks are fed into a primary jaw crusher with a 50 tonne excavator. The jaw feeds the rock into a secondary and tertiary cone crusher. Any material above the size required is recirculated from the tertiary cone crusher to the secondary cone crusher. The crushed rock is passed through screening plant. The required sizes are separated then stockpiled. The capacity of the crushing circuit is 300 tonne per hour. This plant generally averages 800 tonne of finished product per day.
4.5. Production Schedule The production schedule as follows: Year 1 – 10,000 BCM @ 12.5 days crushing Year 2 – 20,000 BCM @ 25 days crushing Year 3 to 20 - 30,000 BCM @ 37.5 days crushing Year 21- 20,000 BCM @ 25 days crushing
4.6. Support Facilities Facilities for site will include an office, self-contained ablution block, crib hut, main workshop and hydrocarbon storage. The ablution block will be self-contained and effluent will be removed as required by a specialist contractor. 4.7. Workforce The Quarry will employ between 4 and 8 personnel. Staff will be sourced from existing employees and the local community. Contractors employed will include Environmental Consultants, Electricians, Plumbers, Quarry Managers, Specialist Maintenance Personnel, Geotechnical Personnel for soil sampling, and Drill and Blast Contractors. 4.8. Transport Corridors Site haul routes will move finished product from the quarry floor to the stockyards. Public roads will be used to transport products. Road trucks tow two trailers with a maximum load of 50 tonne combined. Maximum average road truck movement from the quarry is expected to be 2.5 trucks per day over a 5 day week based on predicted production levels. Palmer Earthworks are happy to maintain the gravel access road to the Albany Highway. No over land power, water or gas lines are required. 4.9. Resource Requirements and Regional Infrastructure Water will primarily be sourced from local mains and trucked to the quarry. Any water that is captured from rain fall events in the quarry will be recycled for dust suppression. Power will be sourced from generators. Diesel will be source from local bulk suppliers. Employees will be sourced for the local community.
4.10. Compliance with Legislation and Other Approvals Palmer Civil Construction makes all endeavours to ensure all legislation is complied with. Palmer Civil Construction has and will in good faith comply with any request for approvals that may be needed now and in the future. Palmer Civil Construction will work in a cooperative and open way with all Government Departments to ensure all approvals and legislation requirements are met.
Required Approvals Status
DMP Project Management Plan Submitted
Shire Planning Submission - Mining Proposal Submitted
Clearing Permit Submitted
DER prescribed works Submitted
Heritage N/A
5.0. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MANAGEMENT
5.1. Land Clearing A clearing permit has been submitted for the proposed quarry site. To ensure areas are not cleared unnecessarily all areas to be cleared will be demarcated, machinery operators will be walked over the area with the supervisor and operators will be supervised at all times. Employees will be inducted on the conditions of any clearing permit and their responsibilities in regards to protection of native flora and fauna. Total area for stockyards and storage area is 10.42 hectares. Clearing within the stockyard area will be limited to only what is needed to stockpile rehabilitation and saleable products. This is expected to increase over time as the quarry and customer base is established. A 10m Native Vegetation buffer will be left inside the West side of the boundary. A 25m Native Vegetation buffer will be left on the North side boundary. Native Vegetation Buffers will be left where possible around the road verge with varying depths. All clearing will be carefully planned as to not clear vegetation unnecessarily. The top 500mm of topsoil in the cleared area of the stockyard will be stripped and stockpiled for future use as rehabilitation material. 5.2. Water Water capture design capacity will be based on the Department of Water (DoW) guideline to
calculate capacity and taken from ‘Water resource considerations for extractive industries,
June 2014’ (the Guideline), which states that a site’s stormwater management plan should
show how: "Runoff up to the 10 year 2 hour average return interval storm event from
disturbed areas are being managed to prevent mobilisation of sediments, hydrocarbons or
other contaminants".
This requires use of the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BoM) ‘Rainfall IFD Data System’ tool,
which produces an ‘Intensity Frequency Duration’ (IFD) Table.
The BoM’s IFD Table shows the calculated unit as a rainfall rate, i.e. mm/hr.
That is: when the IFD table presents the rainfall number, which is used to calculate the
volume of water (runoff) needing to be managed, that number (derived from the X and Y
axes) is the rainfall rate in millimetres per hour.
From the BoM internet table, the 10yr 2hr event is 13.3mm/hr.
Referring to this guideline, which cites DoW’s WQPN 15 ‘Industries near sensitive water
resources’ it specifies that all runoff should be contained on-site initially, and: “It is
recommended that runoff from disturbed areas should be designed and maintained to
provide storage for a minimum of two hours runoff resulting from a 10 year average return
interval storm event”.
This implies that in using the 10 year 2 hour average return interval storm event calculation,
which is in mm/hr, the figure should be doubled to reach the desirable capture capacity.
Therefore 13.3mm/hr by 2 = 26.6mm/hr.
To calculate the storage volume size determine the area likely to contain contaminated
stormwater, in m2 x 0.031m = volume of storage required in m3.
WQPN No. 15 describes the requirement for “storage for a minimum of two hours runoff”
therefore mm/hr (as calculated by the below BoM table) times two.
Thus: the number produced by the ‘Rainfall IFD Data System’ tool is rainfall in millimetres
per hour and that number is doubled to calculate the size of any diversion bunds/retention
ponds system for a minimum of two hours runoff.
Base on the above the required storage capacity of the settling pond is:
Site area 102400 (m²) x 0.031(m³) = 3174.4(m³)
The actual capacity of the existing quarry is much greater and is conservatively estimated at
1,563,000(m³).
Figure 8 – BOM Intensity Frequency Duration Table
The below control measures outline methods to ensure contaminated water is not
discharged to local water ways or surrounding land;
• All surface areas will be contoured to track water within the site.
• All wash down water will drain directly into the quarry.
• All water from the site will be recycled back into the quarry.
• Any water that contains hydrocarbons will have the hydrocarbons stripped out via
hydrocarbon boom.
• The site will be kept clear of hydrocarbon spills.
• All Hydrocarbons are stored inside bunded areas that are designed to capture the
full capacity of the hydrocarbon stored
• All servicing and fuelling of machinery is to be completed in designated areas.
• Any hydrocarbon spill will be cleaned up and contaminated material will be stored
awaiting appropriate disposal as required.
All water and run off in the quarry will be contained within the quarry. Water is a critical resource for daily operations of the quarry. Water suppression is used on the crushing circuit to control dust omissions into the environment and control personnel exposure to dust. Water suppression of dust is also a key element to running a profitable operation. Minimising dust reduces downtime on the crushing circuit. Dust increases wear on all moving parts reducing availability and increases the cost per tonne to produce finished product. Dust also blocks air filters which considerably increases fuel consumption. Currently the existing quarry holds water on its floor for approximately 5 months per year. Sumps will be established on the quarry floor to contain water for use in the crushing circuit. Water will be directed to sumps via spoon drains and transfer pumps. Once the stockyards have been established, sumps and spoon drains will be established to ensure all water is contained within the quarry boundary. Once the stockyard area is cleared a better understanding of the most suitable areas to excavate sumps and establish spoon drains will be available. Based on yearly rain fall figures it is estimated that there will be insufficient water available to cover operational water requirements. Water supply will be supplemented by importing potable water from mains supply based in Greenbushes. Expected water usage while crushing per day will be 10 cubic meters.
5.3. Flora and Fauna and Ecosystem
Methods uses to minimise impacts on local Flora will include;
• Carefully planning areas to be cleared
• Clearly marking out areas for clearing
• Taking employees out to specific jobs and physically showing them areas and boundaries to be cleared
• Supervising land clearing to ensure boundaries are protected
• Only clearing what is absolutely necessary
• Managing hydrocarbons and waste materials so they do contaminate waterways and lease areas
• Employing specialist consultants to advise on best practice when managing local Flora
• Using signage, bund walls, employee training & supervision to ensure areas are not disturbed or driven on unnecessarily
• Establishing native vegetation buffer zones to minimise weeds spreading and protect vegetation past lease boundaries
• Ensuring correct clearing permits are in place and conditions followed and specialist advice on weeds and weed management practice including targeted spraying.
Methods used to minimise impacts on Fauna will include:
• Establishing native vegetation buffer zones
• Using spotters while clearing
• Engaging authorised wildlife carers to manage injured animals
• Erecting speed and restricted area signage
• Clearing all blast zone areas with audible warning siren
• Employee training including snake handling and individuals responsibilities in relation to native animals
• Feral animal trapping 5.4. Topsoil and Topsoil Profiles
The Atlas of Australian Soils maps the soils for the site as Map Unit Tc6, which is a dissected lateritic plateau. The main soils areas are hard acidic yellow or red mottled soils, and brown earths. All soils contain ironstone laterite gravels. Acid mine drainage will not be an issue as indicated by soil test results. Currently sheet fall runs through disturbed areas including Granite fines material and disturbed laterite gravel areas. It is understood that the best material for rehabilitation is topsoil from the direct area down to 5cm as this contains the topsoil with seed material. Also stockpiling topsoil in dry conditions is optimal. Machinery available to collect rehabilitation material is large mining equipment including 980 and 992 caterpillar loaders and D10 caterpillar bulldozers, as such it is unrealistic to just take the top 5cm. We propose to stockpile the top 0.5m for future rehabilitation. Where an area is being prepared for Granite mining, laterite gravel will be removed down to the Granite contact. All topsoil will be stockpiled for future rehabilitation use or used for large windrows to protect open faces.
Stockpiles will be inspected monthly for introduced weeds and pests and if present, targeted spraying will occur in infected areas. A monthly inspection of all rehabilitation areas will be completed to ensure erosion and invasive weeds and pests are dealt with as they arise and native flora is being established in a timely manner. Erosion may be dealt with by establishing contour drains, redirecting run off, supporting wash out areas with suitable rock and the use of erosion matting and biodegradable jute to allow plants to establish. Any area where native vegetation is slow to establish, further topsoil can be added or flora native to the area and suitable for site specific conditions planted. Specialist advice will be utilised on best practice in maintenance and repair of rehabilitated areas. This will include advice from an external specialist consultants who will be engaged for yearly inspections, reporting and advice. If there is insufficient topsoil available for rehabilitation coverage suitable topsoil will be imported to the site. Any topsoil imported will be tested and sourced in compliance and under direction and advice of all relevant authorities and legislation. Bund walls to protect final pit walls will be made of topsoil material and seeded with suitable locally sourced seed when required. This will limit the size of the topsoil stockpile. Topsoil spoil from previous operations at the site have shown very good regenerative properties. It is understood that best practice or methods for rehabilitation may change over time. Palmer Civil Construction will work in a flexible and co-operative way with government authorities and possible changing standards to ensure best outcomes for site rehabilitation are achieved. 5.5. Domestic and Industrial Waste Products Designated bins will be provided on site for different waste types. These bins include domestic waste, domestic recycling, steel recycling, plastic recycling, contaminated hydrocarbon soil and contaminated hydrocarbon clean up material designated bins. All waste material will either be disposed of at designated waste facilities or sent for recycling off site. Waste hydrocarbons will be captured, stored off site then sent for disposal or recycling once bulk receptacles are full. All effluent and waste water from human activity will be captured by reservoirs under the toilet block. An external contractor specialising in this type of waste management will be utilised to remove effluent and waste water as required. All hydrocarbon spills will be contained, cleaned up and dispose of in appropriate ways. 5.6. Waste Rock
All rock produced on site is a saleable product. Any fines and rock material left over when
mining finishes will be returned to the bottom of the quarry.
There are no signs of sulphides or acidic material in the quarry. Hostile materials are not
expected within the proposed mining lease. The Granite is of a baron nature.
5.7. Hydrocarbon Management All bulk hydrocarbons including oil and fuel will be stored in self-bunded storage. Machinery will be filled with diesel at the start of each shift. Storage of diesel and oil on site is purposely restricted due to theft issues with mining equipment located near populations. Machinery will only be filled with diesel on an as needed basis. Cameras for monitoring unattended mining equipment have been purchased for monitoring purposes. Waste oil will be removed from site as machinery is serviced via 1000 litre waste oil respectable on the service truck. Waste oil will then be sent for recycling at an appropriate facility. Any hydrocarbon spills will be cleaned up and deposited in a large contaminated soil bin located onsite. Clean up methods may include the use of spill kits, spill trays, bunds, digging up contaminated soil with excavator and loaders and placing contaminated soil and clean up material in designated bins. All contaminated soil and material will be taken to a suitable processing facility for treatment. Spill kits will be available at different locations around site including the quarry floor, office and on the service truck. All sumps will have floating hydrocarbon absorption booms applied to strip any hydrocarbons present for water. This is a quick and cost effective method for controlling and disposing of hydrocarbons in water. The booms will be disposed of in appropriate waste facilities once they have removed any hydrocarbons. 5.8. Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods are limited to the blasting campaigns. Details of the control measures are outlined in Appendix 3 Explosives Management Plan. No explosives will be stored on site. The blast contractor will transport required explosives to site the day of blasting. Any excess explosives will be returned to the point of origin off site directly after blasting.
5.9. Atmospheric Pollution and Noise
Dust and noise will be produced by the mining operation. The closest resident to the lease boundary is estimated at 1.54 kilometres. Dust, fumes and noise from blasting will be controlled by implementing good blasting practice. Controls include blast QAQC methodology, risk assessments for each blast that consider wind direction, cloud cover that may reflect concussion and suitable exclusion zones. Adjoining land uses will be notified of any blasting taking place and blast notification boards will be used on the day of any blast. Further controls are outlined in the Explosive Management Plan tabled in Appendix 3. Mining activities will be limited to daylight hours. Controls for localised noise will include mandatory hearing protection areas that are signposted and PPE including hearing protection to be provided to all employees and visitors. Controls for dust from crushing and earthworks will be put in place including water suppression on the crushing circuit, use of a water cart to minimise dust around the site and the use of sprinklers on stockpiles as required. On commencement of operations, dust monitoring by an external specialist consultant will be completed. Further dust monitoring will be completed as operations or machinery change that may increase the level of dust. All vehicles will have testing of cab seals performed periodically and faulty seals replaced. Any damaged glass will be replaced as it arises. Granite dust is a natural mineral fertiliser. Any dust that escapes the quarry is not expected to negatively impact local flora. Dust can be produced while blasting. Each blast will be assessed for the potential to cause adverse effects of dust to the surrounding area. This consists of ensuring wind direction does not blow dust in the vicinity of surrounding residences. Noise will be produced during earth moving and crushing and screening operations. Controls will be put in place which include operating during day light hours only and mandatory hearing protection signs for designated areas. On commencement of operations the baseline for noise will be established via noise monitoring by an external specialist consultant. Further noise monitoring will be completed as operations or machinery change that may increase level of noise. Blasting campaigns will take place approximately four times per year. Techniques for management of noise is outlined in the Explosive Management Plan Appendix 3 - Section 2. Drill and Blast Philosophy. To achieve optimum fragmentation of blasted material all explosive energy must be contained within the ground. Any release of energy in the form of ejection causing excessive noise produces poor fragmentation and reduces profitability. Compliance with optimal blasting technique produces a low audible rumble at a distance of 500m. This type of blasting is proposed for the Cranbrook Quarry.
A summary for controlling noise while blasting is as follows;
• Each drill hole is allocated a design depth and depths are supplied to the driller
• Once the drill hole is completed it is dipped to ensure compliance with design
• Any holes outside design are backfilled or redrilled
• Each hole is allocated a set charge weight and explosive column limit
• A design stemming height is allocated to each hole which is in the range of 25 to 27 times hole diameter (stemming column = distance from explosive to top of hole)
• Any over loaded holes will have explosive removed to ensure explosives are contained within the ground
• Clean crushed aggregate is used to backfill stemming column to ensure confinement
• Blast design will be allocated to ensure suitable relief and confinement are maintained for each individual blast hole. This will include hole depth, hole diameter, timing, relief between holes, relief provided from free face or broken stocks, site specific geology.
The highest standard limit for vibration set by Australian Standard 2187.2 prescribes 5 millimetres second movement (5mm/s) for residential. All blast at Margaret River were less than 5mm/s at residence located 280m from blast. At 1500m the residence is unlikely to feel any vibration. The blast is unlikely to initiate the blast monitor at 1500m as the vibration thresholds will be too low. We will monitor the first couple of blasts at around 200m to get a baseline and refine the vibration calculation based on site specific geological constraints.
Airblast over pressure limits will comply with the Department of Environmental Protection regulations as follows:
Air blast levels for 9 in any 10 consecutive blasts received at a single premises regardless of intervals must not exceed;
a) when received at a sensitive site — 115 dB LZ peak; or b) when received at a location other than a sensitive site — 120 dB LZ peak; or c) airblast levels received at any other premises — 120 dB LZ peak.
The Explosive Management Plan has been submitted for approved by the DMP Resources Safety Department as part of the Approved Project Management Plan. 5.10. Impacts Identified and Management Commitments Summary
Environmental Impact
Management Commitment
Timelines Performance to Date
Land clearing Return mined area to as good or better condition
Throughout the mining life
Rehabilitation progressively as areas become available
Throughout the mining life
Monthly Inspections of rehabilitation to ensure best outcomes are achieved
Monthly
Trial rehabilitation and revise rehabilitation methodology
Throughout the mining life
Limit the amount of clearing to only what is needed
Throughout the mining life
Delineate and supervise land clearing to ensure only areas required are cleared
At all times
Water Ensure site is kept clear of contaminates
Throughout the mining cycle
Ensure water permits are in place
Before project starts
Ensure conditions on water permits are followed
At all times
Manage sheet fall to not adversely affect local area
Throughout the mining life
Manage hydrocarbon spills
At all times
Comply with water management commitments
At all times
Only import fresh potable water to site
At all times
Ensure rehabilitation allows sheet fall to flow similar to original flow
During Rehabilitation
Flora, Fauna & Ecosystem
Use spotter to watch for fauna when clearing
At all time when clearing
Designated wildlife carers appointed
Start of operations
Speed control sign Start of operations
Clear fauna for blasting Each Blast
Inductions for employees on environmental requirements
Start of employment or when requirements change
Engage specialist consultants for advice
Yearly once rehabilitation starts
Topsoil & Topsoil Profiles
Reclaiming and stockpiling topsoil to be prioritised
During the mine life
Monthly inspection of topsoil stockpiles to ensure weeds are not present
Monthly
Domestic & Industrial Waste
Designated recycling bins provided on site
At all times
All recyclable material sent for recycling
At all times
Effluent and graywater captured and removed from site
As required
All waste to be removed from site and disposed of at appropriate waste facilities
As required
Hydrocarbon management
Bulk hydrocarbons to be stored in self bunded facilities
At all times
All hydrocarbon spills to be cleaned up immediately
At all times
Hydrocarbon absorption booms to be applied to all sumps
At all times
Dangerous goods
No dangerous goods stored on site
At all times
Explosives to be brought to and removed from site the day of blast
Blasting Days
Dust & Noise Dust suppression use to minimise dust
At all times
Operations during daylight hours only
At all times
Risk assessment to be completed for each blast taking into account wind direction, cloud cover
Blasting Days
Blasting standards to be maintained to minimise noise
At all times
Blast design to take into account achieving energy confinement to minimise noise
Each individual blast
Mandatory hearing protection signs and PPE provided
At all times
Dust monitoring At the start of operations and when any material changes happen to operations
Heritage Ensure land agreement are in place as required
Before starting operations
Stakeholders Work co-operatively with relevant stakeholders
At all times
Develop stakeholder engagement strategy
Year 1
Mine Closure Complete rehabilitation progressively as areas become available
During the mine life
Engage specialist consultants to advise on rehabilitation
Yearly once rehabilitation commences
Ensure sufficient funds are put aside to complete rehabilitation
Progressively
Ensure sufficient funds are put aside for unexpected mine closure
As revenue is received
Consult with authorities on best practice and changing standards
At all times
Develop suitable mine closure plan
Over the life of mine
6.0. SOCIAL IMPACTS
6.1. Land Use and Community
The closest resident is 1.54 kilometres from emission points. Impacts for quarrying will be minimal due to the distance from the quarry to the residence. The quarry is has a sufficient distance to ensure the noise emissions are kept well below the requirements of the Environmental Protection Regulations. 6.2. Social Environment
There is no threat to supply of aggregate in Western Australia. Enough quarries exist to produce aggregates to the market. There is however a threat to the cost to deliver aggregates to the market. Cranbrook has one source of aggregates locally, this lack of competition means that the local rate payer has to pay a premium for aggregates used for road maintenance. The long term benefits to the community from re-opening the quarry at Cranbrook will be safer roads, reduced cost of maintaining roads and employment opportunities. Flow on effects from the operation quarry will be local businesses will work as support agencies, this will include a local increase in the requirement for accommodation, food, tradesmen services and general retail sales. Road aggregates are a mostly unrecognised strategic resource that are currently under threat from different dynamics that operate within Western Australia. Opening quarries in locations like the old Cranbrook site are sensible and environmentally responsible ways to manage the necessity for road aggregates.
6.3. Workforce Induction and Training Palmer Civil Construction will endeavour to source all labour from the local community.
Palmer Civil Construction will ensure all team members who are to work on site have
relevant Licences required under legislation.
All new team members undergo a medical suitability assessment and drug and alcohol test
in accordance with Palmer Civil Construction requirements.
All team members undergo site inductions as per Palmer Civil Construction requirements.
Palmer Civil Construction maintains a training program for all team members and records
details on their personnel file as appropriate.
All team members will be assessed to ensure competency in the job(s) via SWI
assessments and practical assessments.
All Palme employees will be inducted and made aware of all requirements in relation to
meeting environmental obligations and standards.
7.0. MINE CLOSURE PLAN
Mine Closure Plan tabled in Appendix 1. 7.1. Post Mining Land Use
The proposed rehabilitation methodology is designed to return cleared areas to as good or better condition. The open pit will have large windrows established around the entirety of its boundary to stop inadvertent access. 7.2. Rehabilitation
Palmer Civil Construction will engaged specialist ecologists for yearly inspections of rehabilitated and topsoil stockpile areas and advise on best methods for rehabilitation. Other expert advice will also be sought on mine closure & rehabilitation methodology. Consultants will be engaged to recommend on rehabilitation methodology, identify areas for improvement, advice on future rehabilitation planning, identify any issues with rehabilitation, report on rehabilitation progress, help develop rehabilitation strategies based on site specific requirements, and help develop suitable monthly rehabilitation site inspection criteria. We also hope that by engaging expertise in this field we will gain valuable knowledge on rehabilitation methods and requirements. Money will be set aside for rehabilitation cost from revenue from the quarry. Rehabilitation costs are estimated as a percentage of revenue which is 2.75%. Current cost of rehabilitation expressed in dollars is 0.82c per tonne of finished product. This percentage will be applied to future revenues. Yearly reviews will be undertaken to ensure the percentage allocated is appropriate taking into account rise and fall, actual incurred costs and future liabilities. The below estimate may be low in comparison to other sites, this is attributed to Palmer Civil construction owning all earthmoving equipment required and operating their own machinery. Also the small footprint of the site and being able to integrate rehabilitation progressively with production also helps minimising costs associated with re-handling rehabilitation material. Topsoil will also be applied to mined areas for rehabilitation as it is stripped from other locations. We estimate the rehabilitation of 1.0 hectare will take 5 working days. Machinery involved will include 2 x 35 tonne articulated dump trucks, 1 x 980 Caterpillar Loader and a D10 Caterpillar Bulldozer.
It is expected that a significant amount of future mine closure expenditure will be absorbed into daily operating costs. Examples of this are final pit walls will have bunds installed suitable for mine closure as part of the normal mine cycle, and progressive topsoil relocation and application. The financial provision outlined above is worked out independently of likely savings to mine closure expenditure from rehabilitation tasks carried out as operating costs. This will have the effect of over estimating financial liabilities from mine closure and allow for any unforeseen events like premature mine closure or care and maintenance events.
Rehabilitation trials will commence as soon as areas are available for rehabilitation. There are areas that have had laterite spoil from the previous mining pushed into the surrounding bushland. The native vegetation regrowth in these areas has been classified as degraded. We will conduct monthly site audits of rehabilitated areas once rehabilitation starts and rectify any issues as they arise. Monthly audits will be used to identify weeds and pests, ensure any erosion is dealt with, ensure topsoil is stable, check for revegetation progress and review progress and adjust techniques where needed. The existing quarry footprint has been stripped of laterite gravel, had spoil pushed through the surrounding bushland and mined. The un-rehabilitated area is 10.4 hectares in size. The laterite gravel overburden is mainly pushed above and below the existing pit. Overburden is also spread throughout the bush around the existing quarry. This overburden laterite gravel is unsuitable for road base material as it is mixed with clay from the lower levels. All existing overburden will be reclaimed and stockpiled for future use as rehabilitation material. All areas will be ripped before topsoil is applied to relieve compaction. The quarry floor will have all sumps backfilled. Any Granite fines material available when operations cease will be used under the laterite gravel to fill sumps, fill any large holes created by borrow pits and spread across the quarry floor to support rehabilitation topsoil. All buildings, infrastructure, machinery and waste material will be removed completely from the mining lease for final quarry closure. Provisions will be made for any resources that will be needed to maintain the site post mine closure.
Cost Per Hectare for Rehabilitation Expressed as % of Revenue
Assets
Required
Hours per
machine Cost Per Hour Total Cost
Current
Cost Per
Tonne
% of Yearly
Revenue
D10 50 200.00$ 10,000.00$
980 Loader 30 120.00$ 3,600.00$
Dump truck 30 110.00$ 3,300.00$
Dump truck 30 110.00$ 3,300.00$
Consultant
Lump Sum 21,000.00$
41,200.00$ 0.82$ 2.75%
8.0. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995.
Dangerous Goods Regulations 1992.
Worksafe Australia Documentation of Exposure Standards (NOHSC:1003).
Australia – National Model Regulations for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances
(NOHSC:1005).
Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972
Environmental Protection Act 1986
Environmental Protection Regulations 1987
Guidelines for Mining Proposals in Western Australia
DMP Guidelines for Preparing a Mine Closure Plan
DMP Marking Out and Applying for Mining Tenements
