Rehabilitation Strategymachenergyaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/CCC.04-0000-HH... · 3.2 Final Void 10 3.3 Rehabilitated Mined Land 11 3.4 Unmined Land 11 4.0 Key Steps

Coal & Allied Operations Pty Limited 27 February 2012

Rehabilitation Strategy Mount Pleasant Open Cut Coal Mine

AECOM

Rehabilitation Strategy - Mount Pleasant Open Cut Coal Mine

27 February 2012

Rehabilitation Strategy Mount Pleasant Open Cut Coal Mine

Prepared for

Coal & Allied Operations Pty Limited

Prepared by AECOM Australia Pty Ltd St Patrick's Commercial Centre, Queens Street, Singleton NSW 2330, Australia T +61 2 6575 9000 F +61 2 6575 9099 www.aecom.com ABN 20 093 846 925

27 February 2012

60236573

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Quality Information Document Rehabilitation Strategy

Ref 60236573

\\ausgn1fp001\projects\60238555_mtp_rehab_stra\6. draft docs\6.1 reports\rehab strategy\60238555_mtprehabstrat_final_24nov11.docx

Date 27 February 2012

Prepared by Carly Ellis

Reviewed by Dee Murdoch

Revision History

Revision Revision Date Details

Authorised

Name/Position Signature

A 08-Nov-11 Draft for Client Comment Dee Murdoch Associate Director

B 16-Nov-2011 Final Draft for Client Comment Dee Murdoch Associate Director

C 24-Nov-2011 Final Document Dee Murdoch Associate Director

D 27-Feb-2012 Final Document Kirstin Macmillan RTCA

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Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Project Background 1 1.2 Project Area 1 1.3 Objectives of the Rehabilitation Strategy 2 1.4 Rehabilitation Goals 2

2.0 Stakeholder Consultation 7 3.0 Proposed Future Use of Disturbed Areas 9

3.1 Former Infrastructure Areas 9 3.1.1 Infrastructure, Plant and Buildings 9 3.1.2 Hard Stand and Haul Roads 9 3.1.3 Dams and Surface Water Features 9 3.1.4 Tailings Storage Facilities 10 3.1.5 Conveyor/Service Corridor or Rail Loading Facility 10

3.2 Final Void 10 3.3 Rehabilitated Mined Land 11 3.4 Unmined Land 11

4.0 Key Steps in the Rehabilitation Strategy 13 4.1 Planning 13 4.2 Final Void 14 4.3 Surface Water Management 14 4.4 Characterisation of Soils and Overburden 14 4.5 Clearing and Reuse of Vegetation 15 4.6 Revegetation 15 4.7 Approach to the Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan 15 4.8 Maintenance and Monitoring 15

5.0 Performance Criteria 17 6.0 Review of the Strategy 21 7.0 References 23 8.0 Acronyms 25 Appendix A

Alignment to Project Approval Conditions A

List of Tables

Table 1 Goals, Objectives and Performance Criteria of the Mount Pleasant Mine Rehabilitation Program 18

List of Figures

Figure 1 Project Site Locality 3 Figure 2 Existing Environment 4 Figure 3 Post Mining Landscape of the Project Area – Year 6 5

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1.0 Introduction This Rehabilitation Strategy has been developed to address the Conditions of Project Approval DA 92/97 – Mount Pleasant Open Cut Coal Mine – dated 19 September 2011 (Notice of Modification) which was issued to Coal & Allied Operations Pty Limited (Coal & Allied) by the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DP&I) for the construction and operation of the Mount Pleasant open cut coal mine and associated infrastructure. Schedule 3 of the Project Approval requires, where relevant, the preparation and implementation of the following Strategies and/or Plans which relate to biodiversity and rehabilitation:

- Offset Strategy – Schedule 3 Condition 291;

- Biodiversity Management Plan – Schedule 3 Condition 32;

- Rehabilitation Strategy – Schedule 3 Condition 54; and

- Rehabilitation Management Plan – Schedule 3 Condition 56.

This document has been developed to address Schedule 3 Condition 54 – Rehabilitation Strategy. Appendix A provides a guide to the relevant section of this Rehabilitation Strategy that addresses each requirement of the various Project Approval Conditions that pertain to the Rehabilitation Strategy. The Strategy will be updated as required in line with sections 2 (Stakeholder engagement) and 6 (Review of the Strategy).

1.1 Project Background An application for development consent for the Mount Pleasant Project was made in 1997 and supported by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (ERM Mitchell McCotter, 1997). On 22 December 1999, the then Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning granted Development Consent DA 92/97 to Coal & Allied under Part 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for the “construction and operation of an open cut coal mine, coal preparation plant, transport and rail loading facilities and associated facilities” at Mount Pleasant. Development commenced in 2004 with the construction of Environmental Dam 1.

During 2010 Coal & Allied reviewed the Mount Pleasant Project as part of its normal investment decision making process to ascertain the design and cost of the project that may be constructed and deliver coal to port by 2014. During this process, minor modifications to the approved project were identified, and an application for a modification to DA 92/97 was submitted in 2010. This modification was approved on 19 September 2011.

The initial development consent approved mining for 21 years, until 2020, and this date has not been varied under the modification. Currently, the approval allows for construction and six years of mining, and the Rehabilitation Strategy has been developed to cover this time frame. Coal & Allied propose to submit a new project application to allow operations to extend for another 21 year period, at which time this Strategy will be reviewed and updated to cover the extended operational period.

1.2 Project Area The Mount Pleasant Project area is located approximately three kilometres to the north‐west of Muswellbrook. The site is situated directly north of the existing Bengalla Mine with Mount Arthur Mine further south. Dartbrook Mine and the village of Kayuga are situated beyond the northern boundary of the site, with the township of Aberdeen further north again. Agricultural land and the township of Muswellbrook are located to the east of the site. Land to the west of the site is generally used for grazing with some agricultural activities undertaken. These local features are shown on Figure 1.

Figure 2 details the pre-mining vegetation communities across the site.

1 The Offset Strategy is only required if the Applicant carries out any development in the conveyor/service corridor. Note: The Offset Strategy may be combined with any similar offset strategy required for the development under Commonwealth legislation, or the Aboriginal cultural heritage conservation area/s described in Condition 33, subject to suitably offsetting the impacts of the conveyor/service corridor.

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In keeping with the commitments in the Mount Pleasant Project EIS (ERM Mitchell McCotter, 1997), the Rehabilitation Strategy has been developed to ensure that rehabilitation will restore the site to its pre-mining land capability with a mixture of woodland and grassland, and provide enhanced fauna habitat values.

Figure 3 provides a diagrammatic representation of the post mining landscape at Year 6. This figure depicts the post mining landscape based on the current Project Approval where mining is to be completed by 22 December 2020.

1.3 Objectives of the Rehabilitation Strategy The objectives of this Rehabilitation Strategy are to provide:

- A document that is readily available for consultation, which underpins the planning and assessment process which relates to mine closure; and

- A transparent and overarching framework that can be utilised during current and future stakeholder engagement programs.

1.4 Rehabilitation Goals The following rehabilitation goals underpin this Rehabilitation Strategy:

- Successful design and rehabilitation of landforms to ensure structural stability, revegetation success and containment of wastes; and

- Post-mining land use compatible with surrounding land uses that provides optimal environmental and community benefits.

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Project Site LocalityRehabilitation Strategy – Mount Pleasant Open Cut Coal Mine

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Existing EnvironmentRehabilitation Strategy – Mount Pleasant Open Cut Coal Mine

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KEYDevelopment Consent BoundaryCentral Hunter Buloak Forest RegenerationCentral Hunter Ironbark - Spotted Gum ForestDerived Native GrasslandExotic GrasslandGrey Box/White Box Integrade Grassy WoodlandGrey Box/White Box Integrade – Spotted Gum Grassy WoodlandHunter Floodplain Red Gum Woodland ComplexLow Diversity Derived Native Grassland and Exotic PastureNarrabeen Flootslopes Slaty Box WoodlandSpotted Gum ForestTree and Shrub PlantationsUpper Hunter Hills Exposed Ironbark WoodlandUpper Hunter White Box –Ironbark Grassy Woodland

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Post Mining Landscape of the Project Area – Year 6Rehabilitation Strategy – Mount Pleasant Open Cut Coal Mine

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2.0 Stakeholder Consultation Community engagement and consultation has been ongoing during the development of the project. This engagement has included:

- Shopfronts for Coal & Allied at Muswellbrook and Singleton;

- Free call community information line;

- Website providing up to date information on the Mount Pleasant Project: www.coalandallied.com.au;

- Quarterly Newsletters to local businesses and residents; and

- Regular Mount Pleasant Open Cut Coal Mine Community Consultative Committee (CCC) meetings.

Consultation specifically regarding the development of the Rehabilitation Strategy has been undertaken with:

- Division of Resources and Energy, within the Department of Trade & Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services (DRE);

- NSW Office of Water within the Department of Primary Industries (NOW);

- Muswellbrook Shire Council; and

- Mount Pleasant Project CCC.

To optimise the synergy that strategies such as the Rehabilitation Strategy offer in terms of landscape and land use, Coal & Allied proposes to continue to engage throughout the life of the mine with neighbouring operations, agency and community stakeholders, including those specified in the Development Consent.

Base references that will be used throughout this engagement will be the Mount Pleasant Mine EIS (ERM Mitchell McCotter, 1997), Mount Pleasant Project Modification Environmental Assessment Report (EMGA Mitchell McLennan, 2010) and Strategic Framework for Mine Closure (ANZMEC & MCA, 2000).

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3.0 Proposed Future Use of Disturbed Areas The conceptual final landscape across Mount Pleasant Project is an undulating, free draining landform with an optimum post mining land capability that supports grassland and woodland. To assist in defining the lands encompassed in this Rehabilitation Strategy, the site has been divided into a range of differing domains2 based on final land use. The domains include:

- Former infrastructure areas including: infrastructure, plant and buildings; hard stand and haul roads; dams and surface water features; tailings storage facility; and conveyor/service corridor or rail loading facility;

- Final void;

- Rehabilitated mined land including: active mining areas, and overburden emplacement; and

- Unmined land including buffer lands.

A pictorial representation of the final landform and land use is provided on Figure 3.

3.1 Former Infrastructure Areas All surface infrastructure at the Mount Pleasant Project, where a post mining use cannot be identified, will be removed from the site. The following description of the decommissioning of the infrastructure areas is provided pending alternate post mining land use of these areas.

3.1.1 Infrastructure, Plant and Buildings

The carbonaceous material on the base of the Run of Mine (ROM) and product stockpile areas will be stripped and buried either in the tailings storage facility or the lowwall of the open cut void. Where possible, the material will be considered for reprocessing before the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) is decommissioned. Once this has been completed, inert spoil will be placed over the tailings storage facility impoundment to maintain a cap, with a cap placed over the former coal stockpile and infrastructure areas.

The entire CHPP and infrastructure area will be dozer trimmed to facilitate the appropriate drainage of surface runoff from the site. Appropriate surface water management structures (contour banks, drains and settlement ponds) will also be constructed, where required. The final landform will allow water to flow away from the site via drainage lines.

3.1.2 Hard Stand and Haul Roads

Where contaminated, carbonaceous or unsuitable material for rehabilitation is identified on hard stand areas or haul roads, it may be removed, disposed of and covered in the tailings storage facility. Minor dozer reshaping work will be undertaken to ensure the surface is consistent with the surrounding areas. Any crossings (i.e. culverts) will where practical be removed and the pre-existing drainage line reinstated.

A light vehicle access road is to be maintained to enable inspections of the site following closure of the mine. All roadside markers (tyres and guideposts) and signs are also to be removed from within the area once mine closure activities have been completed.

3.1.3 Dams and Surface Water Features

The water management system for Mount Pleasant requires water to be effectively sourced, captured, diverted, stored, monitored, used and reticulated across the site. This system is based on adherence to well established, best water management practices in the Australian mining industry. These principles are:

- Efficient use of water based on the concepts of ‘reduce, re-use and recycle’;

- Avoiding or minimising contamination of clean water streams and catchments; and

- Protecting downstream water quality for other beneficial uses such as agriculture and industry.

Water run-off from the rehabilitated landform is to be directed into ephemeral channels that flow into the existing drainage pattern around the mine. The water run-off in the channels will vary in volume depending on local weather conditions and storm activity. Temporary sediment controls such as the use of gabions, geotextiles, hay

2 A domain can be defined as a land management unit within a mine site, usually with similar geophysical characteristics. It is likely that most domains will require a different rehabilitation methodology to achieve the intended post-mining land use.

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bales, sediment control fencing techniques, and other techniques used during mine life, may be integrated with vegetation and permanent engineering strategies to achieve stability in relevant areas.

The drainage pattern of the final landform will be designed to integrate with the surrounding catchments and will be revegetated to achieve long term stability and erosion control and also to harmonise with more general rehabilitation and revegetation strategies. Clean water diversion banks on overburden emplacements will be retained to divert water away from fill areas. Reconstructed drainage channels will be established where required in accordance with lead practice standards at the time of construction. In terms of future use, these areas will be protected from incompatible land use activities such as over grazing which may damage their integrity.

Reconstructed drainage lines will be revegetated with species prevalent within the existing ephemeral water course. Vegetation established during rehabilitation will ensure the long term channel stability.

3.1.4 Tailings Storage Facilities

Tailings disposal throughout the life of the operation will be in the form of a thickened paste disposal method. Using this method, the tailings storage facility (TSF) will be left for five years following last disposal for drying prior to rehabilitation. This type of thickened discharge technique is particularly amenable to closure and rehabilitation as the final surface does not pond water and the tailings material is dry. Post drying the TSF will be revegetated with a species mix aligned to the surrounding plant community i.e. grassland and open woodland.

3.1.5 Conveyor/Service Corridor or Rail Loading Facility3

If selected, the conveyor/service corridor would link the Mount Pleasant infrastructure area with the Bengalla Rail Spur to enable transport of coal. The conveyor infrastructure may include conveyors, a surge bin or bins, train-loading bin, access roads, sediment dams or sumps, and laydown areas. Decommissioning and rehabilitation of the conveyor infrastructure would be in accordance with the methodologies described in Sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.3 above.

If the rail loading facility option is chosen, coal would be fed from the product stockpile onto a reclaim conveyor. The reclaim conveyor would lead about one kilometre south to a rail loading facility. It would pass underneath Wybong Road, but would otherwise be constructed above the surface until it approaches the rail loading bin where it would be elevated to deliver coal to the bin top. The bin would be located on the Mount Pleasant rail loop adjacent to the rail line which would enable trains to access the Muswellbrook – Ulan Rail Line.

Decommissioning and rehabilitation of the rail loading facility would be in accordance with the methodologies described in Sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.3.

3.2 Final Void This domain includes the final highwall, void, lowwall, spoil and ramps. The final void, lowwalls and ramps cannot be rehabilitated progressively over the mine life as they are required up to the end of production for accessing coal and related infrastructure services.

In Year 6 of the operation Coal & Allied anticipate that the floor of the final voids will be dry. The locations of the final voids are shown in Figure 3. This will be confirmed by modelling if anticipated future mining applications are not approved. All areas of the site, with the exception of the final voids and their surrounding catchments, will be free draining. The aim of this is to maintain the effective catchment contribution and yield to the Hunter River following the cessation of mining. The proposed final landform design of the final voids will have:

- Coal seams capped where possible;

- A highwall slope angle of 50 degrees following blasting and dozing, or benching at 30m vertical incline and up to 25m horizontal incline, with part of the void filled;

- A lowwall slope angle of 10 degrees or up to 25 degrees; and

- The top batter to be 27 degrees and a safety berm along the entire length of the remaining high walls. The safety berm is to provide an engineered barrier between the pit and the surrounding area. The trench and berm are to be constructed in such a way that it would physically stop vehicles.

3 The Project Modification provides consent for either a conveyor/service corridor or a rail loading facility. Only one of these two options would be constructed.

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3.3 Rehabilitated Mined Land The mine will generally develop east to west. In Year 1 coal mining will commence with the partial excavation of the South Pit. Rock will be hauled to form the southern visual bund to the east of the South Pit effectively screening the mining operation from Muswellbrook. The southern visual bund will take approximately four years to complete and will extend from the northern end of the South Pit to Wybong Road.

In Year 3 excavation of the North Pit will commence. Rock from the excavation will be hauled to the northern visual bund to the east of the North Pit.

In Year 5 the southern and northern visual bunds will be complete and initial backfilling of the North and South Pits will have commenced.

Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of the post mining landscape of the project at Year 6 end of mine life.

The proposed final landform consists of a long undulating ridgeline in the east of the site. The ridgeline has a north-south orientation and is designed to emulate the surrounding topography. The mined lands are to be rehabilitated back to grassy woodlands. As a consequence, the following emerge as important performance criteria:

- Restoration of mined land to achieve visual amenity;

- Biodiversity conservation; and

- Ecologically sustainable land management practices.

Further details on these performance criteria are provided in Section 5.0.

The final adopted rehabilitation and management option for this domain will largely depend on the prevailing condition in terms of landscape and land use and, particularly, whether they have been cleared or contain remnant vegetation. Specific details on these aspects will be provided in the Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan.

3.4 Unmined Land This domain includes all unmined lands owned by Mount Pleasant that are not used for purposes related to mining. Buffer lands include a significant portion of the land immediately around the mine, including the Hunter River Flood Plains to the east of the current operation.

The buffer lands are a valuable resource, providing:

- Analogue sites for establishing baseline criteria by which the rehabilitation objectives and success can be compared; and

- An important and continuous source of local provenance seed for the rehabilitation program.

The buffer lands are to be managed to enhance habitat and corridor values during and after the life of the operation. The management of these lands will require:

- Corridor management;

- Habitat augmentation;

- Fencing and access control;

- Weed and vertebrate pest species management and control;

- Track construction and maintenance;

- Strategic grazing and stock control; and

- Bushfire management.

Specific details on these aspects relating to the buffer lands will be provided in the Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan.

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4.0 Key Steps in the Rehabilitation Strategy Coal & Allied has been recognised for its mine rehabilitation and environment-related work with several awards, and has an outstanding record in implementing sound environmental management practices at its mines. Coal & Allied has undertaken extensive research into rehabilitating open-cut mines. This work continues to be carried out at Coal & Allied Hunter Valley mines either by company personnel or in conjunction with organisations such as ACARP, the University of New England and the NSW Minerals Council. A number of techniques have been developed that will be used and further developed at Mount Pleasant. Further details on specific areas of future research including weed control, the management of native grasses and the establishment of woodland plant communities are provided in the Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan.

The following sequence will be followed to ensure rehabilitation success. Further details on the various rehabilitation methodologies that will be used for each of the nominated domains will be provided in the Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan.

4.1 Planning Effective planning commenced at the project feasibility stage. The project approval documentation contains specific details on rehabilitation planning.

At the Mount Pleasant site, Grey Box/White Box Intergrade Woodland and Derived Native Grassland will be disturbed by mining operations. Coal & Allied, as part of the Mount Pleasant Project progressive rehabilitation program, aims to rehabilitate 660ha of the post mining landscape back to grassy woodland.

This planning will be expanded on in the Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan. There are five main elements that either have or will be considered in the rehabilitation planning process:

1) Pre-mining surveys to document existing land use values.

2) Rehabilitation objectives – long term performance goals of mine rehabilitation. What is the agreed end land use following stakeholder consultation?

3) A description of the site – including likely limiting factors.

4) A detailed plan of the site – what goes where and when?

5) Relevant methodologies.

Rehabilitation is integrated into the total mine planning process and will be governed by mining titles, environmental assessments, project approval conditions and licences. However, it will also be highly influenced by Coal & Allied values, policies and procedures to achieve the best possible outcome.

To the extent practicable, rehabilitation will be undertaken progressively during the life of the mine. Progressive rehabilitation of mining operations will minimise the area of exposed disturbance and reduce Mount Pleasant Project’s environmental impacts. Progressive rehabilitation will also enable significant economic advantages and efficiencies through better integration of equipment use during mining and rehabilitation, reduced earth moving costs and improved topsoil management. Ultimately, this practice will lead to enhanced rehabilitation outcomes.

Sufficient personnel and resources will be allocated during mining to enable progressive rehabilitation. Final rehabilitation will be budgeted while the mine is operating. Progressively rehabilitating mined land may also enable the progressive return of security bonds subsequent to successful rehabilitation of defined areas. Rehabilitation planning will consider the logical sequence of actions needed to achieve rehabilitation success.

The landform rehabilitation goal is to create a fully-functioning landform that satisfies post-mining land use criteria including water quality and catchment management, vegetation species and diversity, self sustaining final landforms and visual aesthetics consistent with the surrounding landscape and land use.

The effects of the mining process across Mount Pleasant Project range from minimal in undisturbed areas to significant in the mine pit and overburden emplacement areas. Coal & Allied will mine coal reserves progressing from east to west and generally place overburden spoil behind the advancing pit. The Mine will generate significant volumes of overburden.

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The aim of the overburden emplacement design at Mount Pleasant Project will be to ensure that:

- Overburden emplacement capacity is balanced with final landform design in order to minimise areas of disturbance and create a stable landform with visual relief where possible;

- Runoff water quality will be similar to undisturbed lands and will not degrade receiving stream channels;

- The rehabilitated landform will support vegetation species and composition diversity aligned to plant diversity in adjacent unmined lands;

- Land will support its designated post-mining uses; and

- The rehabilitated landform will be compatible with the surrounding countryside.

4.2 Final Void The final void landform will be rehabilitated with vegetation species and diversity that are appropriate for the complex landform. The highwall will also be rehabilitated using the best reasonable and feasible rehabilitation technologies available and re-vegetated with species that are appropriate for its steepness and aspect.

Design alternatives for the final void will continually be evaluated and will be prepared as part of the closure planning process at Mount Pleasant Project. Regardless of the final design alternative selected, the location and use of the final void is outside the 100-year recurrence interval flood prone area of the Hunter River. Appropriate measures will be used to limit access to steep areas around the final void to restrict cattle, pedestrian and vehicle access. These measures may include large rock placement, landform shaping, or fencing as agreed with relevant government authorities close to closure.

4.3 Surface Water Management Surface water will be routed from and through the rehabilitation landform in stream channels. Consideration will be given where possible to matching the pre-mine and post-mine volumes to natural channels so that the natural ephemeral channels are not degraded.

Temporary sediment detention features may be designed into the channels during construction periods. These features will provide protection of receiving waters’ quality during construction. Stock dams and water features providing habitat for aquatic flora and fauna will be established at strategic locations across the landscape. Further details on their construction and components will be provided in the Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan.

4.4 Characterisation of Soils and Overburden In order to understand the selective handling of materials, characterisation of soils and overburden will be undertaken throughout the development of the mine.

Topsoil and subsoil characterisation will be undertaken in order to:

- Identify any physical or chemical deficiencies or limiting factors (particularly alkalinity, salinity and sodicity) which may affect such things as vegetation establishment, landform stability and propensity for spontaneous combustion; and

- Develop selective placement strategies and/or develop suitable amelioration techniques.

Overburden characterisation is important for similar reasons and more specifically to:

- Identify material for use in the root zone which is capable of supporting sustainable vegetation establishment;

- Identify materials which limit plant growth or which may contaminate surface or ground water, and hence may require special handling, treatment or disposal; and

- Identify any propensity for spontaneous combustion.

Studies undertaken for the EIS (ERM Mitchell McCotter, 1997) mapped the soils, determined stripping depths and rehabilitation suitability. The suitability of soils for rehabilitation was assessed using the methodology described by Elliot and Veness (1981) and the results of physical and chemical analysis of the soils.

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Establishing an appropriate substrate growing medium capable of supporting grassy woodland is critical to the success of the rehabilitation. The development of a program of trials and research to re-establish grassy woodland ecosystems will be incorporated into the Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan.

4.5 Clearing and Reuse of Vegetation Land use disturbance will be minimised by clearing the smallest practical area of land at any one time and leaving it exposed for the shortest possible time. This will be achieved by:

- Limiting the cleared width to that required to effectively operate the mine; and

- Programming the works so that only the areas which are scheduled for mining activities are cleared.

Proposed use of felled timber will follow current lead practice and may include the collection of timber for fencing, harvesting of brush material that is laden with fruit / seed, mulching and incorporating understorey and saplings into stripped topsoil, the installation of stag trees and respreading coarse timber residue onto re-contoured land.

4.6 Revegetation Coal & Allied propose to build on research to re-establish grassy woodland ecosystems setting the basis for the rehabilitation program at Mount Pleasant Project. Details of the research may include:

- Potential variables impacting on rehabilitation programs and causes of failure;

- Suggested rehabilitation strategies for the successful reinstatement of grassy woodland on the site, including:

• Establishing appropriate soil substrate: direct application of topsoil; stockpiled native topsoil; raw spoil plus addition of biosolids/organic growth medium; addition of other organic material;

• Establishment of the grassy understorey: grass species suitable for mine rehabilitation; low and high photosynthetic pathway species; establishing herbs and forbs;

• Establishing the shrubby understorey;

• Establishing the overstorey;

• Seed distribution methods: hand-broadcasting; brush-matting; hydro-mulching; spreading seed-bearing hay; direct seeding; air seeding; and

• Progressive rehabilitation strategy: pre-stripping requirements; sequence of rehabilitation strategies.

Coal & Allied have proven success in rehabilitating mined lands using similar techniques. The outcomes of any rehabilitation trial will be further refined as rehabilitation progresses. Where necessary, further research and trials will be undertaken to test alternative techniques and refine methodologies.

4.7 Approach to the Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan The more detailed Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan, to be developed subsequent to this Strategy, will provide a robust framework, including performance criteria, performance measures and indices, against which the Mount Pleasant Project lands can be assessed. The Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan will be developed in accordance with the draft Rehabilitation and Environmental Management Plan Guidelines (I&I, June 2010) and Conditions 32 and 56 of Schedule 3 of the Project Approval.

4.8 Maintenance and Monitoring It is essential to monitor the success of the rehabilitation program and be prepared to address any aspect of rehabilitation not meeting acceptable standards. As such, identifying maintenance needs will be an important objective of the monitoring program and the continuous improvement process. Good initial planning and practice will minimise the need for maintenance.

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Until the mining lease is relinquished, regular field inspections will be undertaken of all rehabilitated areas. These inspections will assess for areas requiring maintenance in terms of the revegetation works, sedimentation, erosion and site user safety. Monitoring results, any required maintenance activities, and any refinement of rehabilitation techniques will be reported in the site’s Annual Environmental Management Report (AEMR). Further details on the monitoring, site security and maintenance programs will be provided in the Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan.

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5.0 Performance Criteria Preceding parts of this Rehabilitation Strategy stipulate how Mount Pleasant Project will service rehabilitation needs. The following section provides details on the Mount Pleasant Project performance criteria4 which pertain to the rehabilitation of the site, and the use of these criteria as a guide to aid in the direction of rehabilitation and enhancement measures. These criteria have not been developed / designed to form a framework for the purpose of assessing compliance.

The performance criteria have been developed in accordance with the range of existing project related documentation i.e. EIS (ERM Mitchell McCotter, 1997), Modification Environmental Assessment Report (EMGA Mitchell McLennan, 2010), Directors General’s Report and the Project Approval. The performance criteria are underpinned by a range of land management documents. These include industry standards, Coal & Allied Standards and Mount Pleasant Procedures. The ongoing development of these documents will provide the basis for the review of the Rehabilitation Strategy with resultant amendments being recorded in documents such as the Mount Pleasant Annual Environmental Management Report (AEMR) and Mining Operations Plan (MOP) / Rehabilitation and Environmental Management Plan (REMP).

There is an element of risk attached to the development of performance criteria, in that it is impossible to predict all of the variables that might influence the recovery or otherwise of those lands which are rehabilitated. Many variables operate at catchment or regional scales, such as river flows and pest outbreaks. Other factors that operate at continental or even global scales, such as climatic influences (including droughts or floods brought about by La Niña and El Niño events). These factors may significantly influence the long-term sustainability of the vegetated lands encompassed at Mount Pleasant Mine. To this end, the performance criteria and measures have been designed to provide an appropriate benchmark or guide against which to assess the management of project lands and the resulting improvements.

The performance measures and performance indicators which are aligned to the performance criteria are to be defined in the Biodiversity and Rehabilitation Management Plan, prepared in accordance with the draft REMP Guidelines (I&I, June 2010) and to address Conditions 32 and 56 of Schedule 3 of the Project Approval.

The Goals and Objectives and associated Performance Criteria as related to the identified domains of the rehabilitation program are described in Table 1.

4 The performance or completion criteria are objective target levels or values that can be measured to quantitatively demonstrate the progress and ultimate success of a biophysical process. These criteria have been developed for each phase of the rehabilitation so that the rehabilitation success can be quantitatively tracked throughout the life of the mine. The performance measures quantify the rehabilitation and land management program in terms of efficiency or effectiveness and establish the indicative timeframes for completion. The performance indicators are used to define and evaluate the program, typically in terms of making progress towards the development of sustainable ecosystems whilst also providing a framework for the implementation of key activities. The performance indicators are attributes of the biophysical environment e.g. pH, slope, that can be used to approximate the progression of a biophysical process and can be measured to demonstrate and track the progress of an aspect of rehabilitation towards a desired performance criteria (I&I, June 2010).

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Table 1 Goals, Objectives and Performance Criteria of the Mount Pleasant Mine Rehabilitation Program

Goal: Successful design and rehabilitation of landforms to ensure structural stability, revegetation success and containment of wastes Objective Domain Performance Criteria

Rehabilitation is consistent with the EIS (ERM Mitchell McCotter, 1997) and Modification Environmental Assessment Report (EMGA Mitchell McLennan, 2010).

Former Infrastructure Areas

Final Void

Rehabilitated Mined Land

Safe, stable and permanent landforms.

Closure criteria and proposed final land use are developed through stakeholder consultation.

All mining and overburden emplacement areas will be progressively rehabilitated.

Maximise likelihood of long term landform stability and minimise erosion.

Slope angles and lengths are compatible with regulatory requirements.

Growing media are characterised and managed accordingly in context of the post mining land use and landscape.

Water movement is designed to maximise infiltration, limit ponding on areas of known dispersive material and be confined to designated ephemeral flow lines.

Areas of active erosion are limited.

Minimisation of constructed slopes greater than 10 degrees.

Ensure removal, treatment and/or containment of hazardous or contaminated material.

Former Infrastructure Areas

Licensed hazardous materials managed in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Secure and safe containment of waste substances.

Hazardous materials are assessed in areas of infrastructure to identify the potential health and environmental risks associated with demolition of these facilities.

Removal of infrastructure associated with mine related activities – unless deemed as being required post mining.

Problematic materials will be capped.

Potential subsidence of materials deposited into the tailings storage facility will also be taken into account when designing the final landform.

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Goal: Successful design and rehabilitation of landforms to ensure structural stability, revegetation success and containment of wastes Objective Domain Performance Criteria

Optimise final void dimensions. Final Void Safe and stable rehabilitation of final voids.

Current void use is compatible with long term plans for voids.

Determine suitable vegetation for re-establishment aligned to proposed plant communities.

Former Infrastructure Areas Rehabilitated Mined Lands

Soil properties are suitable for the establishment and maintenance of selected vegetation species.

Plant communities are aligned to the physical and chemical characteristics of the growing media.

The selected vegetation type is sustainable and suitable to final landform type.

Vegetation contains a diversity of species comparable to that of the local remnant vegetation.

Native vegetation establishment will consider local species and sourcing seed of local provenance.

Effective habitat linkages are aligned to surrounding vegetated lands in terms of the size of stands and corridor length and design.

Threatening processes, such as weeds, overgrazing, uncontrolled fire and pest species will be managed in accordance with relevant legislation.

Plant growth characteristics will be incorporated in terms of fauna recolonisation and landscape function.

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Goal: Post-mining land use compatible with surrounding land uses and provides optimal environmental and community benefits Objective Domain Performance Criteria

Return rehabilitated mined lands to grassy woodland vegetation community.

Former Infrastructure Areas Rehabilitated Mined Lands

Ground layer contains protective ground cover comparable with the local remnant vegetation.

Habitat structure is comparable with the local remnant vegetation.

Vegetation contains a density of species comparable to that of the local remnant vegetation.

The vegetation is maturing and/or natural recruitment is occurring at rates similar to those of the local remnant vegetation.

Ensure final land use is compatible with surrounding land use.

Former Infrastructure Areas Final Void Rehabilitated Mined Lands Unmined Lands

Final land use is consistent with surrounding land uses.

Final land use takes into account local and regional initiatives.

Final land use is compatible with surrounding land function and land use requirements.

Final land use addresses the limitations of land capability and growing media.

Incorporate land use in terms of optimal social and economic benefit to the local and wider community.

Land use is planned to provide social and economic value to the local and wider community.

Land use does not negatively impact on the biodiversity or environmental values.

Land use is aligned to the relevant land zonings as per the current Muswellbrook Local Environment Plan.

Encourage sustainability and diversity of land use. Former Infrastructure Areas Rehabilitated Mined Lands Unmined Lands

Sustainability and diversity are attained by assessment of vegetation type, land use type and suitability to final landform.

Ongoing management requirements are assessed.

Post mining land ownership is aligned to post mining land use.

Ecosystem resilience, health and composition are monitored in rehabilitated and established landscapes.

The vegetation is in a condition comparable to that of the local remnant vegetation.

The vegetation is developing in structure and complexity comparable to that of the local remnant vegetation.

The vegetation is comprised by a range of growth forms comparable to that of the local remnant vegetation.

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6.0 Review of the Strategy The following Section provides the protocol for periodic review of the Rehabilitation Strategy. Reviews are conducted to assess the effectiveness of the procedures against the objectives of Rehabilitation Strategy.

Further work to develop the rehabilitation design and implementation will be conducted during 2012, and this work will be incorporated into the rehabilitation strategy and management plan as required.

It is anticipated that within the next 12 months, the Project will develop a more detailed final rehabilitation design, which incorporates water management requirements, and will produce visual representations of an aerial and ground perspective. This work will be incorporated into the rehabilitation strategy once complete, following consultation as outlined in section 2.0.

The Rehabilitation Strategy will be reviewed, and if necessary revised, within three months of the submission of an:

- Annual review which has been undertaken as per Schedule 5 Condition 3 of the Approval;

- Incident report which has been undertaken as per Schedule 5 Condition 7 of the Approval;

- Audit which has been undertaken as per Schedule 5 Condition 9 of the Approval; and

- Any modification to the conditions of the Approval.

The Rehabilitation Strategy may also be revised due to:

- Deficiencies being identified;

- Results from the monitoring and review program;

- Recommendations resulting from the monitoring and review program;

- Changing environmental requirements;

- Improvements in knowledge or technology become available;

- Change in legislation;

- Where a risk assessment identifies the requirement to alter the Strategy;

- Change in the activities or operations associated with Mount Pleasant; and

- Following updating of the Mining Operations Plan.

Any major amendments to the Rehabilitation Strategy that affect its application will be undertaken in consultation with the appropriate regulatory authorities and stakeholders. Minor amendments to the Rehabilitation Strategy, such as formatting edits, may be made with version control.

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7.0 References Australian and New Zealand Minerals and Energy Council (ANZMEC) and Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) (2000). Strategic Framework for Mine Closure, (ANZMEC & MCA).

Elliot and Veness (1981) Selection of Topdressing Material for Rehabilitation of Disturbed Areas in the Hunter Valley.

EMGA Mitchell McLennan (2010). Mount Pleasant Project Modification Environmental Assessment Report. Prepared for Coal and Allied Operations Pty Limited.

ERM Mitchell McCotter (1997). Mount Pleasant Mine Environmental Impact Statement. Prepared for Coal & Allied Operations Pty Limited.

I&I (June 2010). Rehabilitation and Environmental Management Plan (REMP) Guidelines. Consultation Draft V2.0. NSW Government Industry and Investment, Minerals and Energy Division, Mineral Resources Branch.

Rio Tinto Coal Australia and Coal & Allied (December 2007) Mine Life Planning Report Mount Pleasant Project.

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8.0 Acronyms ACARP Australian Coal Association Research Program

AECOM AECOM Australia Pty Ltd

AEMR Annual Environmental Management Report

CCC Community Consultative Committee

CHPP Coal Handling Preparation Plant

Coal & Allied Coal & Allied Operations Pty Limited

DPI NSW Department of Primary Industries

DP&I NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure

DRE Division of Resources and Energy, within the NSW Department Trade & Investment, Regional Infrastructure & Services

DTIRIS NSW Department Trade & Investment, Regional Infrastructure & Services

EA Environmental Assessment titled Mount Pleasant Project Modification – Environmental Assessment Report (EMGA Mitchell McLennan, October 2010)

EIS Environmental Impact Statement titled Mount Pleasant Mine – Environmental Impact Statement (ERM Mitchell McCotter, September 1997)

I&I NSW Government Industry and Investment, Minerals and Energy Division, Mineral Resources Branch

MOP Mining Operations Plan

NOW NSW Office of Water, within the Department of Primary Industries

REMP Rehabilitation and Environmental Management Plan

ROM Run of Mine

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Rehabilitation Strategy - Mount Pleasant Open Cut Coal Mine A

27 February 2012

Appendix A

Alignment to Project Approval Conditions

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Appendix A Alignment to Project Approval Conditions Project Approval Condition

Requirement Section/s of the Rehabilitation Strategy

Schedule 3 Condition 53 – Rehabilitation Objectives

The Applicant shall rehabilitate the site to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Mineral Resources in DRE. This rehabilitation must be generally consistent with the proposed rehabilitation strategy depicted conceptually in the figure in Appendix 7, and comply with the objectives in Table 14.

Table 14 – Rehabilitation Objectives

Feature Objective

Mine site (as a whole), including the final void

Safe, stable & non-polluting. Sections 3.0 & 4.0

Surface infrastructure To be decommissioned and removed, unless the Director- General agrees otherwise.

Sections 3.0 & 4.0

Land forms To be set under condition 54 below. Sections 3.0 & 4.0

Land use To be set under condition 54 below. Sections 3.0 & 4.0

Community Minimise the adverse socio-economic effects associated with mine closure.

Section 2.0

Schedule 3 Condition 54 – Rehabilitation Strategy

Prior to commencing any development on the site, the Applicant shall prepare a Rehabilitation Strategy for the development to the satisfaction of the Director-General. This strategy must:

a) be prepared in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including DRE, NOW, Council and the CCC;

Section 2.0

b) investigate options for the future use of the site upon the completion of mining;

Section 3.0

c) describe and justify the proposed rehabilitation strategy for the site; and

Sections 3.0 & 4.0

d) define the rehabilitation objectives for the area, as well as the proposed completion criteria for this rehabilitation.

Section 5.0

Schedule 3 Condition 55 – Progressive Rehabilitation

The Applicant shall carry out the rehabilitation of the site progressively, that is, as soon as reasonably practicable following disturbance.

Sections 3.0 & 4.0

Schedule 3 Condition 56 –Rehabilitation Management Plan

The Applicant shall prepare and implement a Rehabilitation Management Plan for the development to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Mineral Resources in DRE. This plan must:

To be completed within 3 months of approval of the Rehabilitation Strategy

a) be prepared in consultation with the Department, NOW, Council and the CCC;

b) be submitted to the Executive Director Mineral Resources in DRE for approval, within 3 months of approval of the Rehabilitation Strategy;

c) be prepared in accordance with any relevant DRE guideline;

d) describe the measures that would be implemented to rehabilitate the site and implement the rehabilitation strategy (see condition 54); and

e) build, to the maximum extent practicable, on the other management plans required under this consent.

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Project Approval Condition

Requirement Section/s of the Rehabilitation Strategy

Schedule 5 Condition 4 – Revision of Strategies, Plans and Programs

Within 3 months of: Section 6.0

a) the submission of an annual review under Schedule 5 Condition 3;

b) the submission of an incident report under Schedule 5 Condition 7;

c) the submission of an audit under Schedule 5 Condition 9; and d) any modification to the conditions of this consent, e) the Applicant shall review, and if necessary revise, the

strategies, plans, and programs required under this consent to the satisfaction of the Director-General.

Note: This is to ensure the strategies, plans and programs are updated on a regular basis, and incorporate any recommended measures to improve the environmental performance of the development.

Schedule 5 Condition 11 – Access to Information

The Applicant shall: As per the Coal & Allied website: http://www.coalandallied.com.au/

a) make the following information publicly available on its website: • the EIS; • all current statutory approvals for the development; • approved strategies, plans and programs required under

the conditions of this consent; • a comprehensive summary of the monitoring results of the

development, which have been reported in accordance with the various plans and programs approved under the conditions of this consent;

• a complaints register, which is to be updated on a monthly basis;

• minutes of CCC meetings; • the annual reviews (over the last 5 years); • any independent environmental audit, and the Applicant’s

response to the recommendations in any audit; • any other matter required by the Director-General; and

b) keep this information up to date, to the satisfaction of the Director-General.

http://www.coalandallied.com.au/

http://www.coalandallied.com.au/

Documents

Rehabilitation Strategymachenergyaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/CCC.04-0000-HH... · 3.2 Final Void 10 3.3 Rehabilitated Mined Land 11 3.4 Unmined Land 11 4.0 Key Steps