Cosmic Boy BioHeap™ Facility – Bacterial Heap Leach Process Works Approval Supporting Document Licence No.: L8041/1990/5 FORRESTANIA NICKEL PROJECT COSMIC BOY CONCENTRATOR SITE Prepared for: Department of Water and Environment Regulation Revision 0 December 2019 This document details the specifications of a proposed heap leach circuit to be constructed and operated at the Cosmic Boy Concentrator site to improve the efficiency of the concentrate production process.
41
Embed
Cosmic Boy ioHeap™ Facility Bacterial Heap Leach Licence ... · Cosmic Boy Concentrator Site – Scats Heap Leach Facility Works Approval Supporting Document v ... Mining Australia
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Cosmic Boy BioHeap™ Facility – Bacterial Heap Leach Process Works Approval Supporting Document Licence No.: L8041/1990/5 FORRESTANIA NICKEL PROJECT COSMIC BOY CONCENTRATOR SITE Prepared for: Department of Water and Environment Regulation
Revision 0 December 2019
This document details the specifications of a proposed heap leach circuit to be constructed and operated at the Cosmic Boy Concentrator site to improve the efficiency of the concentrate production process.
Executive Summary
Western Areas Ltd is proposing to add a Bacterial Heap Leach Facility to the existing Cosmic Boy Operations
at the company’s Cosmic Boy Concentrator site located within the Forrestania Nickel Operations located in
the Yilgarn and Phillip’s River Mineral Fields of Western Australia. Since 2010, mill rejects or scats have been
stockpiled within the apron of the Tailings Storage Facility located at the Cosmic Boy Concentrator site.
Currently there are 280,000 tonnes of scats at a bulk density of 2.11 tonnes per m3 within a stockpile
comprising a main load and smaller long pile. This equates to an approximate volume of 132,701 m3.
Ore from the Spotted Quoll and Flying Fox ore bodies enters the three-stage crushing circuit as the first stage
in exposing the sulphide mineral. A portion of the ore is resilient to crushing and is rejected from the circuit
as scats. The volume of scats generated varies depending on the ore feed to the comminution circuit. Ore
is present within the scats with an average nickel grade of approximately 1.5%.
It is proposed that the rejects from the mill and the stockpiled scats be treated using the BioHeap™ heap
leach process to generate a liquor stream rich in nickel. This stream would then be fed back to the existing
Bioleach Plant, also referred to as the Mill Recovery Enhancement Project which was previously approved
under W5839/2015/1 for nickel recovery.
A Works Approval from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) is required to
proceed with the Proposal. This document serves to support the DWER’s information requirements
regarding the Works Approval application. The objectives of this document are therefore to:
• Describe the current conditions on, and surrounding the Proposal area;
• Describe the proposed design and operations of the BioHeap™ Facility;
• Identify any potential environmental impacts associated with the Proposal; and
• Outline environmental engineering and management measures to ensure that all potential impacts
are managed to appropriate standards.
An Environmental Risk Assessment has been completed as part of this Supporting Document in line with the
Cosmic Boy BioHeap™ Facility – Works Approval Supporting Document 23
Figure 5: Proposed BioHeap™ Facility Sections and Details (Coffey, 2019b)
Cosmic Boy BioHeap™ Facility – Works Approval Supporting Document 24
Figure 6: Proposed BioHeap™ Facility Drainage Layout Plan (Coffey, 2019c)
Cosmic Boy BioHeap™ Facility – Works Approval Supporting Document 25
4.0 Project timing
A new guidance document entitled ‘Industry Regulation Guide to Licencing’ was released by DWER (2019)
and provides guidance on when the Department will allow a proposal to move through project phases
including ‘Construction Phase’, ‘Environmental Commissioning Phase’ and ‘Time Limited Operations Phase’.
Under the new guidelines, confirmation that the works have been conducted in accordance with works
approval conditions is required in the form of specific reporting prior to undertaking environmental
commissioning and time limited operations, and ultimately a licence amendment. Therefore, until the works
approval is granted, it is currently not possible to determine timeframes beyond the Construction Phase of
the Proposal.
Table 2 below details the anticipated timeframes for the construction phase and sub-phases of the Proposal,
as well as anticipated longer-term operational timeframes.
Table 2: Construction Phase timeframe (from approval).
Phase Phase description Indicative
timeframe
Date
Works Approval
application
Submission and DWER determination of
Works Approval application under Part V of
the EP Act.
~ 3 months December 2019
Construction Phase 1 • Bulk earthworks
• Installation of scats preparation and
stockpiling facilities
• Construction of scats heap leach
cells
• Construction of PLS Pond
• Installation of PLS pumping, acid
dosing and heating facilities
~ 1 month April 2020
Construction Phase 2 Preparation and submission of reporting
required under works approval (i.e.
Environmental Compliance Report and
Critical Containment Infrastructure Report
[CCIR]). *
To be determined by Works Approval
condition requirements and delivery of
consultant reports.
~TBD Mid 2020
Environmental Commissioning and Time Limited Operations phases To be determined once works
approval is granted.
Operation 5+ years (based on estimated
mine life of 5 years) * Hold point while DWER assesses the CCIR. During this time no environmental commissioning, or operation of the containment infrastructure may
occur.
Cosmic Boy BioHeap™ Facility – Works Approval Supporting Document 26
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MANAGEMENT
Identifying the environmental aspects and impacts of its activities is the foundation of the WSA
Environmental Management System (EMS) on which continual improvement and management reviews are
based. An assessment of aspects and impacts relating to WAL activities has been incorporated into the EMS
Environmental Aspects Register.
Environmental impacts and their inherent risk are typically identified through an appropriate risk assessment
process. Control measures must be identified to reduce the inherent risk and ensure the residual risk is low
and environmentally acceptable.
An Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) has been completed as part of this Supporting Document (Appendix
2). The methodology for the ERA has been taken from the existing Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
for the FNO, developed in line with ISO 14001 (Environment Management Systems). In addition, the ERA has
been undertaken with regard to the DWER guidance document ‘Guidance Statement – Risk Assessments’
(DWER 2017) which provides guidance on the Departments regulatory framework and the application of
regulatory controls for works approvals and licences granted under Part V, Division 3 of the EP Act.
The ERA methodology used and aspects register for the Proposal are detailed in Appendix 2. Relevant
environmental factors are also discussed in more detail in Section 5.1 to Section 5.6 below, along with
proposed controls and management actions associated with the Proposal.
5.1 Ground Disturbance
It is likely that minimal clearing of vegetation will be required (<0.1 ha) as part of this Proposal in order to
establish the footprint and associated ancillary infrastructure for the BioHeap™ Facility.
Potential impact
Without proper controls land clearing has the potential to result in unintended clearing of native vegetation
and associated impacts on flora and fauna as well as non-compliance with environmental regulations.
Controls and management actions
Key controls and management actions include:
• Vegetation clearing will be minimised by utilising previously disturbed or rehabilitated areas;
• Clearing to be undertaken will be defined under the EP Clearing Regulations under Schedule 1, Clause
2, subclause 2 and therefore no clearing permit will be required;
• All proposed works resulting in ground disturbance will require authorisation via a GPD permit issued
by the FNO Environmental Department.
5.2 Weeds
Construction of the BioHeap™ Facility will utilise on-site machinery and equipment as well as machinery and
equipment brought from offsite.
Potential impact
Transporting equipment from offsite has the potential to introduce and spread weeds into remnant
vegetation and subsequently undermine vegetation quality and fauna habitat.
Controls and management actions
All equipment shall be clean of foreign material prior to entering the FNO. The following management
measures will be implemented to control the spread of weeds:
• Vehicles will be washed/blown down prior to and following ground works at the site;
Cosmic Boy BioHeap™ Facility – Works Approval Supporting Document 27
• Vehicles will be inspected by the site environmental officer;
• When moving from a weed infested area to a clean area within the Forrestania area, vehicles will be
washed/blown down prior.
In addition, weed inspections and control at the disturbance site will be carried out at regular intervals
following disturbance.
5.3 Water
There are no permanent surface water bodies or seasonal wetlands adjacent to the Proposal area. The Lake
Cronin “A Class” Nature Reserve is located approximately 22 km north of the CBO. In addition, natural
groundwater levels in the area are typically between 20 – 60 mbgl. Impacts to groundwater or permanent
surface water bodies are therefore unlikely. Impacts to locate drainage may occur however unless
appropriate controls are in place.
Potential impact
Construction and earth moving activities may disrupt existing surface drainage patterns.
Controls and management actions
The following management measures will be implemented to manage any potential impacts to surface and
groundwater:
• Natural drainage will be preserved by installing surface water management infrastructure such as
culverts and drains to ensure no inflow from upstream areas;
• No additional dewatering on top of current dewatering activities will be required for this application;
• All potentially polluting materials and processes will be contained within lined/bunded areas with
leak detection as described in Section 3.2. Routine inspections shall be undertaken to ensure that
adequate freeboard is maintained within containment sumps;
• Post commissioning and prior to handover to WAL, a maintenance schedule will be developed for
use by WAL Mill team to maintain infrastructure; and
• Saline water will be used for the conditioning of the roads and for general dust suppression activities.
Dust suppression activities will be managed so that impacts to adjacent vegetation will be minimised.
WSA’s normal management practices include:
o Limit dust suppression activities to when required e.g. hot conditions on haul roads;
o The use of dribble bars for dust suppression; and
o Installation of surface water infrastructure to capture any runoff from the roads (i.e. spoon
drains on the sides of roads).
5.4 Flora, Fauna & Ecosystem
The proposed BioHeap™ Facility will be located on previously disturbed land associated the original TSF built
by OMA in 2008 and adjacent to the current TSF. Accordingly, there are some small areas within the Proposal
area containing native regrowth/rehabilitation (<0.1 ha) which may be impacted by the works. The Proposal
will therefore not involve any direct impacts or clearing of remnant vegetation. There is low potential
however for indirect impacts to surrounding remnant vegetation in proximity to the TSF.
Potential impact
Potential impacts to flora, fauna & ecosystem factors as a result of the Proposal include:
• Removal of <0.1 ha of regrowth/rehabilitation vegetation during construction including degraded
fauna habitat;
Cosmic Boy BioHeap™ Facility – Works Approval Supporting Document 28
• Indirect impacts to surrounding vegetation and fauna as a result of dust, air drift and noise during
construction;
• Fauna injury or death as a result of vehicle interactions;
• Impacts to flora and fauna as a result of deviations from designated access tracks;
• Fauna injury or death as a result of ingress into above ground cells, sumps and ponds; and
• Impacts to flora and fauna as a result of bushfire.
Controls and management actions
WAL recognises the need to ensure long-term conservation of the regions protected flora and fauna, as well
as its natural cultural values. Accordingly, the following management measures will be implemented to
manage any potential impacts to flora, fauna and ecosystem factors:
• Vegetation clearing will be minimised by utilising previously disturbed or rehabilitated areas;
• Clearing to be undertaken will be defined under the EP Clearing Regulations under Schedule 1, Clause
2, subclause 2 and therefore no clearing permit will be required;
• All proposed works resulting in ground disturbance will require authorisation via a GPD permit issued
by the FNO Environmental Department;
• Dust suppression equipment will be available during earth moving and mine speed limits will be
implemented on access roads;
• Noise will be minimised through contractor management to ensure plant and machinery is
maintained in optimal condition;
• Vehicle / fauna interactions will be minimised through inductions and awareness of staff and
contractors, and implementing mine speed limits across the site;
• Vehicles will only be permitted on designated access roads and tracks.
• Surrounding vegetation will be monitored to ensure the Proposal does not negatively impact the
area from dust or air drift form the BioHeap™ Facility;
• Fauna barriers (fencing) will be installed where required (e.g. around sumps) to prevent native fauna
injury or death; and
• Contractor management and inductions / awareness for bushfire risk. All sources of ignition will be
prohibited on declaration of Total Fire Ban, implementation of Bushfire Response Management Plan
and Emergency Management Plan.
5.5 Dangerous goods and Hazardous substances
Hazardous substances are those that, following worker exposure, can have an adverse effect on health.
Examples of hazardous substances include poisons, substances that cause burns or skin and eye irritation,
and substances that may cause cancer. Many hazardous substances are also classified as dangerous goods
(Safe Work Australia, n.d.). Dangerous goods are substances, mixtures or articles that, because of their
physical, chemical (physicochemical) or acute toxicity properties, present an immediate hazard to people,
property or the environment. Types of substances classified as dangerous goods include explosives,
flammable liquids and gases, corrosives, chemically reactive or acutely (highly) toxic substances (Safe Work
Australia, n.d.).
Potential impact
There is potential that dangerous goods and hazardous substances my impact on the environment unless
appropriate control measures are implemented. Raw water supply to the heap leach facility will be via new
pipeline run from the CBC water supply system; and will use existing (disturbed) infrastructure corridors.
Water quality typically ranges from 100,000 ppm TDS to 130,000 ppm TDS and is recognised as potentially
polluting to the surrounding environment. In addition, dangerous and hazardous chemicals will be used to
Cosmic Boy BioHeap™ Facility – Works Approval Supporting Document 29
power components of the process (i.e. diesel generators) and acid will be used to irrigate the heap leach
stacks.
Controls and management actions
The following management measures will be implemented to manage any potential impacts to the
environment as a result of dangerous goods and hazardous substances:
• All pipelines containing environmentally hazardous materials will be either:
o Equipped with telemetry systems and pressure sensors along the pipelines to allow the
detection of leaks and failures;
o Include daily physical inspections of the infrastructure; and
o Provided with secondary containment (where practical).
• WAL shall retain a register of all hazardous and dangerous goods on-site and ensure that personnel
have access to their Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS);
• WAL shall ensure that environmentally hazardous materials are stored in accordance with the Code
of Practice for the storage and handling of dangerous goods; and
• Routine inspections will be undertaken to ensure bunding, refuelling and maintenance of equipment
is undertaken on hardstand areas and ensure hazardous and dangerous spill procedures are in place.
5.6 Atmospheric Pollution and Noise
Dust emissions are likely from this Proposal during the construction and operational stages as a result of
earth moving activities and movement of plant and machinery. Noise impacts are expected to be minimal
and considering the remote location of the FNO and absence of nearby sensitive receptors, insignificant. The
FNO has experienced recent summer bushfires in both 2018 and 2019 which has interrupted operations and
resulted in large remnant areas of bushland being burnt surrounding the FNO. Therefore, the risk of
triggering bushfire and impacts on the environment have been considered.
Potential impact
Potential impacts associated with atmospheric pollution and noise include:
• Dust emissions during the construction and operational stages as a result of earth moving activities
and movement of plant and machinery;
• Minimal noise impacts associated with use of plant and machinery during construction and
operation; and
• Fire ignition from use of machinery and equipment during construction and operation.
Controls and management actions
The following management measures will be implemented to manage any potential impacts associated with
atmospheric pollution and noise:
• Dust suppression equipment will be available during earth moving and mine speed limits will be
implemented on access roads;
• Noise will be minimised through contractor management to ensure plant and machinery is
maintained in optimal condition;
• WAL shall ensure that a 20 m wide low fuel buffer is maintained around all high-risk mining and
support infrastructure;
• WAL shall respond to and extinguish bush fires that may threaten mine infrastructure assets, and
where practicable any conservation significant flora and fauna assets; and
Cosmic Boy BioHeap™ Facility – Works Approval Supporting Document 30
• Contractor management and inductions / awareness for bushfire risk. All sources of ignition will be
prohibited on declaration of Total Fire Ban, implementation of Bushfire Response Management Plan
and Emergency Management Plan.
Cosmic Boy BioHeap™ Facility – Works Approval Supporting Document 31
6.0 REFERENCES AND BILIOGRAPHY
• Beard, J. S., 1979. Vegetation Survey of Western Australia,1:250,000 series. Sydney: Vegmap
Publications.
• Beard, J. S., 1990. Plant life of Western Australia. s.l.:Simon & Schuster Australia.
• Beecham, B. & Danks, A., 2001. Mallee 2 (MAL2 - Western Mallee subregion), Perth: Department of
g RISK ASSESSMENT Controls / Actions Required (Description)
Like
liho
od
Co
nse
qu
ence
Ran
kin
g
Risk Action Priority
1 Construction Ground disturbance Non-compliance with environmental regulations
Activity not assessed or approved by regulatory authorities
4 2
Hig
h
Project planning, regulatory approvals and WAL Ground Disturbance Procedure.
2 2
Low
"C" Management by application of routine procedures, check to ensure adequacy of existing controls.
2 Plant and earth movement, vehicle movement
Generation of dust Impacts to flora and fauna 4 1
Mo
der
ate
Dust suppression equipment available during earth moving, drive to speed limits on access roads.
3 1
Low
"C" Management by application of routine procedures, check to ensure adequacy of existing controls.
3 Generation of noise Impacts to flora and fauna 3 1
Low
Contractor management and vehicle maintenance.
2 1
Low
"C" Management by application of routine procedures, check to ensure adequacy of existing controls.
4 Fauna / vehicle interactions Impacts to fauna 3 2
Mo
der
ate
Contractor management, inductions and awareness. Drive to speed limits on access roads.
2 2
Low
"C" Management by application of routine procedures, check to ensure adequacy of existing controls.
5 Deviation from designated access routes
Impacts to flora and fauna 3 2
Mo
der
ate
Contractor management, inductions and awareness. Drive on designated access routes only.
2 2
Low
"C" Management by application of routine procedures, check to ensure adequacy of existing controls.
6 Emission of greenhouse gases. Impacts to air quality. 2 1
Low
WAL are required to submit annual report of greenhouse gas emissions under the NGER Act.
2 1
Low
"C" Management by application of routine procedures, check to ensure adequacy of existing controls.
7 Plant and equipment laydown
Chemicals and hydrocarbons Leaks and spills to soil and groundwater
3 1
Low
Contractor management, routine inspections to ensure bunding, refuelling and maintenance of equipment on hardstand areas (the Mill). Hydrocarbon spill procedures in place.
2 1
Low
"C" Management by application of routine procedures, check to ensure adequacy of existing controls.
8 Construction and hot works
Bushfire Impacts to flora and fauna 2 3
Mo
der
ate
Contractor management and inductions / awareness. All sources of ignition prohibited on declaration of Total Fire Ban, implementation of Bushfire Response Management Plan and Emergency Management Plan.
1 3
Mo
der
ate
"B" Management responsibility must be allocated to approve temporary control for up to 48 - 72 hours; then apply permanent solution.
9 Impacts to FNO operation 2 4
Hig
h
Contractor management and inductions / awareness. All sources of ignition prohibited on declaration of Total Fire Ban, implementation of Bushfire Response Management Plan and Emergency Management Plan.
1 4
Hig
h
"B" Management responsibility must be allocated to approve temporary control for up to 48 - 72 hours; then apply permanent solution.
10 Operation Use of acid for leach purposes
Emissions to air from reaction with scat materials
Impacts to vegetation from potential air drift.
3 2
Mo
der
ate
Monitor surrounding vegetation for damage from potential air drift and if necessary, implement necessary screening.
2 2
Low
"C" Management by application of routine procedures, check to ensure adequacy of existing controls.
11 Use of cells, sumps and ponds to contain process liquids
Emissions to soil, surface water and groundwater
Seepage or overflow from containment infrastructure
3 3
Hig
h
Engineering controls as per Coffey (2019) design. HDPE Liners, leak detection systems, freeboard and dedicated stormwater pond. Ongoing maintenance and inspections.
1 3
Mo
der
ate
"B" Management responsibility must be allocated to approve temporary control for up to 48 - 72 hours; then apply permanent solution.
Cosmic Boy BioHeap™ Facility – Works Approval Supporting Document 40
12 Storage and use of dangerous goods and hazardous material
Emissions to soil, surface water and groundwater
Leaks and spill from chemical containers
3 2
Mo
der
ate
All pipelines containing environmentally hazardous materials will be either:
• Equipped with telemetry systems and pressure sensors along the pipelines to allow the detection of leaks and failures;
• Include daily physical inspections of the infrastructure; and
• Provided with secondary containment (where practical).
WAL shall retain a register of all hazardous and dangerous goods on-site and ensure that personnel have access to their Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). WAL shall ensure that environmentally hazardous materials are stored in accordance with the Code of Practice for the storage and handling of dangerous goods. Routine inspections will be undertaken to ensure bunding, refuelling and maintenance of equipment is undertaken on hardstand areas and ensure hazardous and dangerous spill procedures are in place.
2 2
Low
"C" Management by application of routine procedures, check to ensure adequacy of existing controls.
13 Electrical power generation from the use of diesel power gensets
Emission of greenhouse gases. Impacts to air quality. 2 1
Low
WAL are required to submit annual report of greenhouse gas emissions under the NGER Act.
2 1
Low
"C" Management by application of routine procedures, check to ensure adequacy of existing controls.
14 Generation of waste materials from scat preparation process
Hazardous materials Incorrect disposal 3 2
Mo
der
ate
Dispose of waste to TSF in accordance with Part V licence conditions (L8041).
2 2
Low
"C" Management by application of routine procedures, check to ensure adequacy of existing controls.
15 Operation of above ground cells, sumps and ponds
Fauna ingress Fauna deaths 3 1
Low
Fencing around cells, sumps and ponds to prevent fauna access. Monitoring and inspections around infrastructure to detect presence of fauna.
2 1
Low
"C" Management by application of routine procedures, check to ensure adequacy of existing controls.
16 Conveyance of scats material using Front End Loader (FEL)
Spillage, dust Contamination of soil 3 1
Low
Water down scat stockpiles prior to movement. Ensure any spills are contained and cleaned up in line with Hazardous Spill Response Procedure.
2 1
Low
"C" Management by application of routine procedures, check to ensure adequacy of existing controls.
Cosmic Boy BioHeap™ Facility – Works Approval Supporting Document 41