Valeria South Project Valeria South Pty Ltd Report Valeria South Project Environmental Authority Application - Supporting Information Report
Valeria South Project
Valeria South Pty Ltd
Report
Valeria South Project Environmental Authority Application - Supporting
Information Report
Glencore Coal Assets Australia Report
Valeria South Project Environmental Authority Application - Supporting Information Report
Owner: Bronwen Morrison – Approvals Manager Status:
Version:
Final
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Table of Contents
1 Overview............................................................................................................................ 7
Background and Proponent .................................................................................................................... 7 1.1
Approvals ................................................................................................................................................ 7 1.2
1.2.1 Environmental Authority ............................................................................................................ 7 1.2.2 Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Planning .................................................................. 13 1.2.3 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Approval ................................... 13 1.2.4 Relevant Legislation ................................................................................................................ 13
Location ................................................................................................................................................. 14 1.3
Native Title and Cultural Heritage ......................................................................................................... 17 1.4
2 Scope ............................................................................................................................... 18
Proposed Mining Activities .................................................................................................................... 18 2.1
2.1.1 Life of Mine .............................................................................................................................. 18 2.1.2 Mine Description ..................................................................................................................... 18
Resource ............................................................................................................................................... 26 2.2
Justification ............................................................................................................................................ 27 2.3
Previous Work ....................................................................................................................................... 27 2.4
3 Environmental Aspects .................................................................................................. 28
Air ....................................................................................................................................................... 28 3.1
3.1.1 Description of Environmental Values ...................................................................................... 28 3.1.2 Emissions and Releases ......................................................................................................... 31 3.1.3 Potential Impacts and Management Practices ....................................................................... 31 3.1.4 Risk Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 32
Land....................................................................................................................................................... 32 3.2
3.2.1 Description of Environmental Values ...................................................................................... 32 3.2.2 Emissions and Releases ......................................................................................................... 38 3.2.3 Potential Impacts and Management Measures ...................................................................... 41 3.2.4 Risk Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 42
Ecology .................................................................................................................................................. 42 3.3
3.3.1 Description of Environmental Values ...................................................................................... 42 3.3.2 Emissions and Releases ......................................................................................................... 57 3.3.3 Potential Impacts and Management Practices ....................................................................... 57 3.3.4 Risk Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 58
Surface Water ....................................................................................................................................... 58 3.4
3.4.1 Description of Environmental Values ...................................................................................... 58 3.4.2 Emissions and Releases ......................................................................................................... 61 3.4.3 Potential Impacts and Management Practices ....................................................................... 61 3.4.4 Risk Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 63
Groundwater .......................................................................................................................................... 64 3.5
3.5.1 Proposal to Exercise Underground Water Rights ................................................................... 64 3.5.2 Description of the Area in which Underground Water Rights are Proposed to be Exercised 64 3.5.3 Groundwater Environmental Values ....................................................................................... 64 3.5.4 Description of Aquifers, Potential Area of Decline and Potential Groundwater Movement ... 68 3.5.5 Potential Impacts to the Quantity and Quality of Groundwater .............................................. 70
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3.5.6 Strategies for Avoiding, Mitigating or Managing Predicted Impacts ...................................... 72 3.5.7 Risk Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 72
Noise and Vibration ............................................................................................................................... 73 3.6
3.6.1 Description of Environmental Values ...................................................................................... 73 3.6.2 Emissions and Releases ......................................................................................................... 73 3.6.3 Potential Impacts and Management Practices ....................................................................... 74 3.6.4 Risk Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 75
Waste .................................................................................................................................................... 76 3.7
3.7.1 Description of Environmental Values ...................................................................................... 76 3.7.2 Emissions and Releases ......................................................................................................... 76 3.7.3 Potential Impacts and Management Practices ....................................................................... 77 3.7.4 Risk Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 78
Rehabilitation and Closure .................................................................................................................... 78 3.8
3.8.1 Strategy and Goals ................................................................................................................. 78 3.8.2 Post-mine Land Use and Completion Criteria ........................................................................ 79 3.8.3 Rehabilitation Considerations ................................................................................................. 79
Community ............................................................................................................................................ 80 3.9
3.9.1 Social Considerations ............................................................................................................. 80
4 References ...................................................................................................................... 82
Table 1 EA Application Requirements .......................................................................................................................... 8
Table 2 Prescribed ERAs for the Project ...................................................................................................................... 9
Table 3 Standard Criteria and Response ................................................................................................................... 11
Table 4 GPS Coordinates for Mine area MLA ............................................................................................................ 16
Table 5 GPS Coordinates for Access road MLA ........................................................................................................ 16
Table 6 GPS Coordinates for Registered Access over MDL219 ................................................................................ 17
Table 7 LOM Production Schedule Estimates ............................................................................................................ 20
Table 8 Stratigraphy of the Project ............................................................................................................................. 26
Table 9 Preliminary Field Validated Regional Ecosystems .................................................................................... 48
Table 10 Water Quality Objectives for the Project Groundwater ................................................................................ 67
Figure 1 Project Location ............................................................................................................................................ 15
Figure 2 Mine Plan ...................................................................................................................................................... 21
Figure 3 Mining Sequence over LOM ......................................................................................................................... 22
Figure 4 Proposed Product Coal Transportation Route ............................................................................................. 24
Figure 5 Properties and Sensitive Receptors ............................................................................................................. 30
Figure 6 Land Use ...................................................................................................................................................... 34
Figure 7 Topography .................................................................................................................................................. 36
Figure 8 Surface Geology ........................................................................................................................................... 37
Figure 9 Land Systems ............................................................................................................................................... 39
Figure 10 Soil Units .................................................................................................................................................... 40
Figure 11 State Mapped Environmentally Sensitive Areas ........................................................................................ 43
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Figure 12 State Mapped Regional Ecosystems ......................................................................................................... 45
Figure 13 State Mapped Vegetation Management Status of Regional Ecosystems .................................................. 46
Figure 14 2012 and 2018 Ecology Survey Effort ........................................................................................................ 47
Figure 15 Preliminary Field Verified Regional Ecosystems ........................................................................................ 49
Figure 16 Preliminary Field Verified Vegetation Management Status ........................................................................ 50
Figure 17 Wetlands, Springs and Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems .................................................................. 56
Figure 18 Stream Order Watercourses and Flooding................................................................................................. 59
Figure 19 Groundwater Bores in the Project Area and Surrounds ............................................................................. 66
Figure 20 Geological Section of Relative Aquifer Positions ....................................................................................... 69
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Abbreviations
Abbreviation Term
AEP Annual Exceedance Probability
ARD Acid Rock Drainage
ARI Area of Regional Interest
AWS Automatic Weather Station
bcm bank cubic metres
BAJV Blair Athol Coal Joint Venture
BOM Bureau of Meteorology
BVG Broad Vegetation Group
CHIMA Cultural Heritage Investigation Management Agreement
CHMP Cultural Heritage Management Plan
CHPP Coal handling and preparation plant
CLR Contaminated Land Register
DES Department of Environment and Science (Queensland)
DNRME Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (Queensland)
DoEE Department of the Environment and Energy (Commonwealth)
EA Environmental Authority
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
EMR Environmental Management Register
EMS Environmental Management Strategy
EO Act Environmental Offsets Act 2014
EP Act Environmental Protection Act 1994
EP Regulation Environmental Protection Regulation 2008
EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
EPC Exploration Permit Coal
EPM Exploration Permit Minerals
EPP Environmental Protection Policy
ERA Environmentally Relevant Activity
ESA Environmental Sensitive Area
GCAA Glencore Coal Assets Australia
GDE Groundwater Dependant Ecosystem
GHG Green House Gas
LGA Local Government Area
LOM Life of Mine
MDL Mineral Development Licence
MIA Mining Infrastructure Area
ML Mining Lease
MLA Mining Lease Application
MNES Matters of National Environmental Significance
MR Act Mineral Resources Act 1989
MSES Matters of State Environmental Significance
Mtpa Million tonnes per annum
NAF Non-Acid Forming
NC Act Nature Conservation Act 1992
ND No data
NEPM National Environmental Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure
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Abbreviation Term
NUMA Non-Use Management Area
OOP Out of pit
PAF Potential Acid Forming
PEM Prescribed Environmental Matters
PMSR EPBC Protected Matters Search Report
PPP Parcel Prospecting Permit
PRCP Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan
RE Regional Ecosystem
ROM Run of Mine
SCD Sediment Control Dam
SEP Stakeholder Engagement Plan
SOOP Southern out of pit dump
SSRC Act Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017
STP Sewage Treatment Plant
TEC Threatened Ecological Community
TLO Train Load Out
UWIR Underground Water Impact Report
VM Act Vegetation Management Act 1999
VS Valeria South Pty Ltd
WOOP Western out of pit dump
WQO Water Quality Objective
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1 Overview
Background and Proponent 1.1Valeria South Pty Ltd – ACN 632 279 193 (VS) (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore Coal
Pty Limited (Glencore)) is proposing to develop a new open cut coal mining project called the
Valeria South Project (the Project), near Emerald in Central Queensland. VS proposes to
operate the Project over two Mining Leases (ML) as follows:
The Valeria South ML application (MLA) (herein referred to as the Mine area MLA) under
section 245 of the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (MR Act), encompasses the mining area
inclusive of the proposed pit, mine infrastructure area (MIA), overburden emplacement
areas and pit related surface water infrastructure.
The Valeria South Access MLA (referred to herein as the Access road MLA) under section
316 of the MR Act, encompasses the access road corridor between the Mine area MLA and
the registered access on Glencore’s Mineral Development Licence (MDL) 219.
The two MLAs have been lodged with the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and
Energy (DNRME). The MLAs must be accompanied by an Environmental Authority (EA)
application under the Queensland Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) and the MLs
will not be issued until an associated site-specific EA authorising activities on the tenure is
granted by the Department of Environment and Science (DES). This Supporting Information
Report provides additional information to that contained in the form ‘Site-specific application
for a new environmental authority for a resource activity’ (ESR/2015/1757 V. 8.01, effective
8 Dec 2018) lodged with DES for the Project.
VS’s exploration tenements, currently held in the name of Queensland Coal Pty Limited (majority holder of MDL219), and Rio Tinto Exploration (holder of Exploration Permit Coal (EPC) 25396), are expected to be transferred to VS in the second quarter of 2019, as part of
the acquisition of the Hail Creek and Valeria tenements from Rio Tinto. The Project will assist
with Glencore’s planning for the broader development of the overall Valeria coal resource,
which may serve as a source of potential replacement production from the Clermont Open
Cut operation, where mining is scheduled to finish around 2026.
This Supporting Information Report provides a preliminary assessment of the environmental
values of the Project area that may potentially be impacted by the Project, to be addressed in
more detail in the Project’s environmental impact assessment report. This Supporting
Information Report focuses on the Mine area MLA and the Access Road MLA components of
the Project. These areas (and a potential haul road, coal stockpile and train load out (TLO)
facility to the south of the MLA areas) constitute the ‘Project area’. The form of the
environmental assessment report is to be determined under provisions of the EP Act, with the
Project likely to trigger the need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Approvals 1.2
1.2.1 Environmental Authority
The Project does not meet the eligibility criteria for standard conditions and, as such the
application to which this Supporting Information Report relates is for a site-specific EA.
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1.2.1.1 Application Requirements
Sections 125 and 126A of the EP Act sets out the requirements for a properly made site-
specific EA application for a resource project. Each requirement is outlined in Table 1, with
reference to where these requirements are addressed in the EA application form or this
Supporting Information Report.
Table 1 EA Application Requirements
EP Act
Section Requirement Reference
125(1)(a) Application made to administering authority See EA application form
125(1)(b) Application made in the approved form See EA Application form
125(1)(c) Describe all environmentally relevant activities for the application Section 1.2.1.2
125(1)(d) Describe the land on which each activity will be carried out Sections 1.3 and 3.2.1
125(1)(e) Application to be accompanied by the prescribed fee Fee is paid on lodgement of the EA application and this Supporting Information Report to DES.
125(1)(f) If two or more entities jointly make the application - nominate one as the principal applicant
Valeria South Pty Ltd
125(1)(g) State whether the application is a standard, variation or site-specific application
The application is a site-specific application
125(1)(h) State whether the applicant is a registered suitable operator The applicant is a registered suitable operator, number RSO 003197.
125(1)(i) Describe any development permits or approvals if a development permit
under the Planning Act or SDA approval under the State Development Act required for the ERAs
No development permits or
approvals are thought to be required for the ERAs.
125(1)(j) If the application is a standard or variation application - declaration that each relevant activity complies with the eligibility criteria
Not applicable. This application is not a standard or variation application
125(1)(k) For a variation application - state the standard conditions the applicant
seeks to change
Not applicable. This
application is not a variation application
125(1)(l)(i) If the application is a variation or site-specific application - include an assessment of each relevant activity on the environmental values including:
A Description of environmental values likely to be affected by each activity Sections 3.1.1, 3.2.1, 3.3.1, 3.4.1, 3.5.3, 3.6.1, 3.7.1.
B Details of any emissions likely to be generated each activity Sections 3.1.2, 3.2.2, 3.3.2, 3.4.2, 3.5.5, 3.6.2, 3.7.2.
C Description of risk and likely magnitude of impacts on environmental values Sections 3.1.3, 3.1.4, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, 3.3.3, 3.3.4, 3.5.5, 3.5.7, 3.6.3, 3.6.4, 3.7.3, 3.7.4.
D Details of the management practices proposed to be implemented to prevent or minimise adverse impacts
Sections 3.1.3, 3.2.3, 3.3.3, 3.5.6, 3.6.3, 3.7.3.
E Details of how the land the subject of the application will be rehabilitated after each relevant activity ceases
Sections 1.2.2 and 3.8.
125(1)(l)(ii) Include a description of the proposed measures for minimising and
managing waste generated by each activity Section 3.7.3.
125(1)(l)(iii) Include details of any site management plan that relates to the land the subject of the application
Section 3.2.1.6.
125(1)(m) If the application is for a prescribed ERA - state whether the applicant wants
an EA granted for the application to take effect on a day nominated by the applicant
The application is for a resource activity.
125(2) Despite (1)(l) if application is for a variation application, it need only include the matters mentioned in that subsection to the extent it seeks to change standard condition for the activity or authority
Not applicable.
125(3) Subsection (1)(l) does not apply for an application if either an EIS has been completed or the Coordinator General has issued conditions and an assessment of the environmental risk would be same as the assessment in the EIS
Not applicable.
125(4) Subsection (1)(l) does not apply for a variation application under section 123(2) if the application seeks only to apply the Coordinator General conditions.
Not applicable.
126A(1) This section applies to a site-specific application, involving the exercise of Section 3.5.
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EP Act Section
Requirement Reference
underground water rights, for:
(a) a resource project that includes a resource tenure that is a mineral development licence, mining lease or petroleum lease; or
The application is for a resource project that includes the resource tenure of a mining lease.
(b) a resource activity for which the relevant tenure is a mineral development licence, mining lease or petroleum lease; and
The relevant tenure is a mining lease.
126A(2) The application must also state the following-
(a) any proposed exercise of underground water rights during the period in which resource activities will be carried out under the relevant tenure
Section 3.5.1.
(b) The areas in which underground water rights are proposed to be exercised Section 3.5.2.
(c) For each aquifer affected, or likely to be affected, by the exercise of
underground rights:
(i) a description of the aquifer; and Section 3.5.4.
(ii) an analysis of the movement of underground water to and from the aquifer,
including how the aquifer interacts with other aquifers and surface water; and
Section 3.5.4.
(iii) a description of the area of the aquifer where the water level is predicted to decline because of the exercise of underground water rights; and
Sections 3.5.3 and 3.5.4.
(iv) the predicted quantities of water to be taken or interfered with because of the exercise of underwater rights during the period the resource activities are carried out;
Section 3.5.5.
(d) the environmental values that could be affected by the exercise of underground water rights and the nature and extent of the impacts
Section 3.5.3.
(e) any impacts on the quality of groundwater that will, or may, happen because of the exercise of underground water rights during or after the period in which resource activities are carried out
Section 3.5.5.
(f) strategies for avoiding, mitigating or managing the predicted impacts on the environmental values stated for paragraph (d) or the impacts on the quality of groundwater mentioned in paragraph (e)
Sections 3.5.5 and 3.5.6.
1.2.1.2 Environmentally Relevant Activities
The Project EA application seeks to authorise a resource activity that is a mining activity. The
relevant resource Environmentally Relevant Activity (ERA) pursuant to Schedule 2A of the
Environmental Protection Regulation 2008 (EP Regulation) which has an aggregate
environmental score is:
ERA 13 Mining black coal.
A number of prescribed ERAs pursuant to Schedule 2 of the EP Regulation are also sought in
this application, with numbers and thresholds presented in Table 2.
Table 2 Prescribed ERAs for the Project
ERA Number and Paragraph
Description Threshold Aggregate Env. Score
Comment
8 (1)(c)
Chemical storage consisting of more than 500m3 of chemicals of class C1 or C2 combustible liquids under AS 1940 or dangerous goods class 3.
3 85 The predominant chemical to be stored on site is fuel and oils.
16 (1)(b)
Extractive and screening activities – extracting, other than by dredging, a total of 5,000 t or more (5,000 to 100,000 t) of material in a year from an area.
2 (a) 22
The proposed extraction is of quarry material from basalt areas for use in roads and blasting. It is not the result of the resource activity and as such the (2)(a) exemption is not likely to apply.
60 (1)(b)(ii)(A)
Waste disposal consisting of operating a facility for disposing of general waste and either or a combination of a quantity of limited regulated waste that is no more than 10% of the total amount of
2 (b) 27
Waste proposed to be disposed to an in-site landfill is limited to general waste with tyres proposed to be buried in-pit or in-dump (refer Section 3.7.2).
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ERA Number and Paragraph
Description Threshold Aggregate Env. Score
Comment
waste received in the facility in a year (2,000 to 5,000 t).
63 (1)(a)(i)
Sewage treatment consisting of operation 1 or more sewage treatment works at a site that have a total daily peak design capacity of at least 21 EP (21 to 100 EP if treated effluent is discharged from the works to an infiltration trench or through an irrigation scheme).
1 (a)(i) 14
A sewage treatment plant will operate for a construction workforce of approximately 60 EPs, followed by an operational workforce of approximately 75 EPs. Treated effluent is proposed to be irrigated to land (refer Section 3.7.2).
1.2.1.3 Notifiable Activities
Schedule 3 of the EP Act lists Notifiable Activities for which the associated land may need to
be included on the Environmental Management Register (EMR) or Contaminated Land
Register (CLR). The following Notifiable Activities may be carried out by the Project:
20 – Landfill: disposing of waste (excluding inert construction and demolition waste).
24 - Mine wastes:
(a) storing hazardous mine or exploration wastes, including, for example, tailings
dams, overburden or waste rock dumps containing hazardous contaminants;
or
(b) exploring for, or mining or processing, minerals in a way that exposes faces,
or releases groundwater, containing hazardous contaminants.
1.2.1.4 Environmental Impact Statement Triggers
As described below, the Project will produce approximately 2.1 to 2.5 Million tonnes per
annum (Mtpa) run of mine (ROM) with an average over the life of mine (LOM) of 2.3 Mtpa
ROM. The DES Guideline ‘Triggers for environmental impact statements under the
Environmental Protection Act 1994 for mining and petroleum activities’ (DES, 2014a) lists
three circumstances where an EIS is required for new mining projects. These are where the
mining activities would result in the:
Removal of 2 Mtpa or more of ROM ore or coal.
Removal of 1 Mtpa or more of ROM ore or coal on or under a floodplain or in a coastal
hazard area.
Introduction of a novel or unproven resource extraction process, technology or
activity.
The Project meets the first of these triggers as it will produce more than 2 Mtpa ROM.
However, the mine infrastructure will be positioned outside of any floodprone areas and
protected against flooding, and the open cut mining method proposed is extensively adopted
by mines in Queensland and is not novel or unproven. The Project is not anticipated to
involve a significant environmental impact, a high level of uncertainty about potential
impacts, but may involve a level of public interest.
In deciding whether an EIS is required for the Project, DES must consider the standard
criteria in Schedule 4 of the EP Act. These criteria and a response to each is presented in
Table 3.
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Table 3 Standard Criteria and Response
Standard Criteria (Sch 4 EP Act)
Response
(a) the following principles ofenvironmental policy as set outin the IntergovernmentalAgreement on theEnvironment—
(i) the precautionary principle;
(ii) intergenerational equity;
(iii) conservation of biologicaldiversity and ecologicalintegrity; and
Glencore understands that mining operations can have direct and indirect adverse environmental impacts and is committed to managing these impacts. All significant potential and actual impacts of its activities and operations are identified, analysed, evaluated and eliminated or otherwise treated to promote conservation of biological and ecological integrity and ensure opportunity and resources are available for the next generation.
Glencore aims to preserve the long-term health, function and viability of the natural environments affected by its operations. The precautionary principal is adopted for all aspects, with scientifically sound technologies and procedures developed and implemented for the effective management and conservation of biodiversity and landscape functions in the areas affected by its operations.
Programs are implemented and targets set to achieve continuous improvement by targeting resource efficiency, environmental performance and to prevent incidents. Systems and procedures must be implemented at each operation to provide appropriate environmental controls and to comply with applicable approvals, laws and regulations. Glencore has extensive experience in Queensland managing coal mining operations in an environmentally responsible manner and potential impacts on environmental values will be avoided or appropriately mitigated or managed.
(b) any Commonwealth or Stategovernment plans, standards,agreements or requirementsabout environmental protectionor ecologically sustainabledevelopment; and
State and Commonwealth environmental legislation embody the principals of ecologically sustainable development. The Project will comply with all legislative and regulatory requirements in developing, operating and decommissioning the Project to achieve, as much as is possible, improvement to total quality of life, both now and in the future, in a way that maintains the ecological processes on which life depends.
(d) any relevant environmentalimpact project, assessment orreport; and
This Supporting Information Report documents a preliminary assessment of environmental values, potential impacts and proposed mitigation and management measures. No further assessments or reporting have been undertaken for the Project at this stage.
(e) the character, resilience andvalues of the receivingenvironment; and
A description of environmental values is provided in this Supporting Information Report for air, land, ecology, noise, surface water, groundwater and waste.
(f) all submissions made by theapplicant and submitters; and
Other than the EA application form and this Supporting Information Report, there are no submissions currently made to DES about the Project. Further assessment of environmental values, potential impacts and management and mitigation measures is proposed to be undertaken in an environmental impact assessment report.
(g) the best practiceenvironmental management foractivities under any relevantinstrument, or proposedinstrument, as follows—
(i) an environmental authority;
(ii) a transitional environmentalprogram;
(iii) an environmental protectionorder;
(iv) a disposal permit;
(v) a development approval;and
Project activities will be managed to achieve an ongoing minimisation of environmental harm through cost-effective measures, as assessed against the measures currently used nationally and internationally for coal mining. Management of activities will ensure ongoing compliance with environmental approval conditions and regulatory requirements, the application for which this Supporting Information Report relates.
(h) the financial implications ofthe requirements under aninstrument, or proposedinstrument, mentioned inparagraph (g) as they wouldrelate to the type of activity orindustry carried out, orproposed to be carried out,under the instrument; and
Glencore as parent company of VS has adequate human, financial and technical resources capability to implement any and all requirements of an EA, Commonwealth approvals and other statutory instruments. VS will not operate the Project and is not the registered holder of any other mining or exploration tenements in Queensland. All day to day operational activities will be undertaken by Glencore.
Subsidiaries of Glencore have experience in operating and managing coal and metalliferous mines including Clermont, Collinsville, Newlands, Oaky Creek, Rolleston Mine, Ernest Henry, George Fisher, Mount Isa and Lady Loretta mines (amongst others). Since August 2018, Glencore has also operated the Hail Creek Coal Mine.
Glencore expenditure on exploration, development and rehabilitation to date is
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Standard Criteria (Sch 4 EP Act)
Response
extensive, showing commitment to seeing the coal mining operations through full LOM.
(i) the public interest; and In 2018, across its Australian coal business, Glencore:
contributed around $4.5 billion to the Australian economy spent on goods and
services, and $847 million in the form of wages and salaries;
spent approximately $465 million on capital and sustaining investment; and
provided employment for than 10,180 people.
Through its Community Assistance program, Glencore provides funding to local community organisations and not for profit groups to support local events, projects and initiatives across the communities in which its mines operate.
Currently, the Clermont Open Cut, Rolleston Open Cut and Oaky Creek Coal Community Development Plans provide support to the communities of Clermont, Rolleston/Springsure and Tieri, which are situated, along with the Project, within the greater Central Highlands and Isaac Regional Council areas.
Glencore will consult with the local communities both in development and implementation of the Project and will work proactively and collaboratively towards a shared vision for the region. This vision will be one which will see the region thrive and diversify into the future, dealing positively with change and seizing opportunities for economic and social development.
The most prominent questions or concerns raised by the local communities generally relate to water, local economy and infrastructure, local population, local employment, and direct mine impacts. Glencore engages via its main stakeholder
reference groups on these matters on a regular basis.
Investments are facilitated through an online program called Smarty Grants. This program focusses on sustainable investment initiatives and targets Mental Health, Education and Capacity Building projects in the Central Highlands area. The program typically invests around $200,000 per year.
(j) any relevant sitemanagement plan; and
Searches of the EMR and CLR (refer Section 3.2.1.6) indicate that no site management plans are recorded relevant to the Mine area MLA and Access road MLA.
(k) any relevant integratedenvironmental managementsystem or proposed integratedenvironmental managementsystem; and
Glencore Coal Assets Australia (GCAA) operates under a HSEC Management Framework and each project must maintain Environment Management Strategy (EMS), developed generally in accordance with the principles of ISO 14001. The EMS elements include:
Environmental Policy.
Planning.
Implementation and operation.
Measurement and Evaluation.
Review and Improvement.
Each operation is to identify, manage, review and document all environmental aspects and impacts relevant to the operation and undertake an annual impact assessment. This is an annual requirement with inputs from:
Baseline environmental studies.
Review of environmental performance data.
Review of any existing or proposed changes to the operations.
Review of relevant legislation, standards, codes and additional externalrequirements.
Industry experience.
Relevant stakeholders.
Management commitment, responsibility and accountability for environmental performance is established at each operation, with regular reporting and tracking of performance against objectives. Ongoing monitoring of performance is used as an
input into regular reviews by senior management of the EMS. Reviews are undertaken to determine the actual performance and effectiveness of the system and plan.
(l) any other matter prescribedunder a regulation.
ERAs, Notifiable Activities, Prescribed Environmental Matters and other matters prescribed under regulation are discussed in this Supporting Information Report.
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1.2.2 Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Planning
Provisions of the Mineral and Energy Resources (Financial Provisioning) Act 2018 to
commence on proclamation by 1 November 2019, require that all mining projects carried out
on a ML under a site-specific EA, have a Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (PRCP) in
place. The PRCP will comprise a section on rehabilitation planning information and a section
that presents a rehabilitation schedule. The PRCP must address the requirements of the PRCP
Guideline, currently being prepared by DES. If approved by DES, a stand-alone PRCP
schedule will be given to the applicant together with the EA, with the PRCP governing project
rehabilitation and closure activities for the period of the plan.
Glencore is currently working with State Government departments and industry groups to
understand PRCP requirements for its existing operations and proposed new projects. VS will
work with DES to understand the information to be provided in a PRCP for the Project.
Section 3.8 discusses Project rehabilitation and closure.
1.2.3 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Approval
Environmental approval for the Project may be required under the Commonwealth
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) depending on
whether the Project has or is likely to have a significant impact on Matters of National
Environmental Significance (MNES). The MNES likely to be relevant to the Project are:
Water resources, in relation to coal seam gas and large coal mining development
(including surface water, groundwater and their interactions including Groundwater
Dependant Ecosystems (GDEs)).
Threatened species.
Threatened ecological communities.
Migratory species.
The Project may need to be referred to the Commonwealth Department of the Environment
and Energy (DoEE). If DoEE determines that the Project is a ‘controlled action’ (i.e. has or is
likely to have a significant impact on MNES) potential impacts and proposed mitigation and
management measures will be assessed, likely via the EIS bilateral assessment process
agreed to with the State of Queensland (assuming an EIS is triggered by this application).
Approval under the EPBC Act will then be required prior to carrying out any Project activities
that may impact on MNES.
1.2.4 Relevant Legislation
The EA requirements for resource projects is governed by the EP Act and EP Regulation.
Environmental Protection Policies (EPP) (2008) for air, noise and water support the
implementation of this legislation. In addition, the Project must comply with relevant
requirements of other legislation and associated regulations, including:
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003.
Biosecurity Act 2014.
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).
Environmental Offsets Act 2014.
Mineral and Energy Resources (Financial Provisioning) Act 2018.
Mineral Resources Act 1989.
Glencore Coal Assets Australia Report
Valeria South Project Environmental Authority Application - Supporting Information Report
Owner: Bronwen Morrison – Approvals Manager Status:
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Minerals and Energy (Common Provisions) Act 2014.
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth).
Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).
Nature Conservation Act 1992.
Planning Act 2016.
Queensland Heritage Act 1992.
Regional Planning Interests Act 2014.
Strong and Sustainable Regional Communities Act 2018.
Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011.
Water Act 2000.
Water Plan (Fitzroy Basin) 2011.
Location 1.3The Project is located approximately 37 km north-west of Emerald, 38 km south-west of
Capella and 270 km west of Rockhampton. The Mine area MLA covers approximately 32.47
km2 and is located on the following properties (refer Figure 1 and Figure 5):
‘Fork Lagoon’ (Lot 1 CLM11) held in freehold by the Blair Athol Joint Venture (BAJV)
(majority-owned by Glencore). The underlying tenure is EPC25396 and Parcel Prospecting
Permit (PPP) Valeria 3.
‘Jaydena’ (Lot 5 CLM 4783) also held in freehold by BAJV on EPC25396 and PPP Valeria 5.
Access to the site is via an un-gazetted road extending north-west through the ‘Fork Lagoon’
and ‘Jaydena’ properties (under the Access road MLA and registered access on MDL219),
joining Fourteen Thousand Access Road then Capella Rubyvale Road. The Project area is
situated in the Central Highlands Local Government Area (LGA). A more detailed description
of the Project area is provided in Section 3.2.1 below. GPS coordinates for the two MLAs, and
the registered access on MDL219 are provided in Table 4, Table 5 and Table 6 respectively.
GREGORY HIGHWAY
CAPELLA
RUBYVALE
ROAD
FOURTEEN
THOUSAND ACCESS
CAPRICORNHIGHWAY
CENTRE CREEK
RETR EAT CREEK
CAPELLACREEK
RETRO CREEK
KETTLE CREEK
MAY CREEK
GORD
ON
STONE CR
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WHEEL CREEK
T HERESACREEK
CARBINE CREEK
CRYSTAL C R EEK
KINGOWER BILL A BONGFORK
LAGOON ROAD
580000 590000 600000 610000
7400
000
7410
000
7420
000
7430
000
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Figure 1 - Project Location
0 2 4 6 8
Kilometers
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts - Dept of Environment and Resource Management
© Glencore 2018
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure the quality of theinformation available on this map.
Before relying on the information on this map, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and should obtain anyappropriate professional advice relevant to their
particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumesno responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the
information and by using this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form whatsoever caused
directly or indirectly from the use of this map.
LegendMLA 6 (Mine area)MLA 7 (Access Road)Registered AccessEPC 25396MDL 219DPP boundary
State ForestRoadRailwayDrainage line
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994
Map Size: A4 PortraitDate Created: 15/03/2019
±
!
!!
!
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VALERIASOUTH
PROJECT
MOUNT ISA
EMERALDGLADSTONE
BRISBANE
CAIRNS
TOWNSVILLE
CAPRICORN H IGHWAY
GREGORY HIGHWAYCA
PELLA RUB YV
ALE RD
EMERALD
CAPELLA
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Table 4 GPS Coordinates for Mine area MLA
Grid
Bearing Grid Distance
Description of Line Easting
(MGA94
Zone55)
Northing
(MGA94
Zone55)
Commencement Point 593,089.85 7,415,950.92
Then at 97°06'56" For 1152.954 Abutting the southern
boundary of Lot 7 on SP135554
To 594,233.93 7,415,808.10
Then at 97°17'42" For 1281.111 Abutting the boundary of Lot
6 on SP135554 To 595,504.67 7,415,645.43
Then at 180°22'12" For 1738.805 Abutting EPC864 To 595,493.44 7,413,906.66
Then at 90°22'26" For 1703.359 Abutting EPC864 To 597,196.76 7,413,895.55
Then at 180°22'37" For 1845.283 Abutting EPC864 To 597,184.62 7,412,050.30
Then at 270°22'26" For 1703.149 To 595,481.51 7,412,061.42
Then at 270°22'03" For 1703.143 To 593,778.40 7,412,072.34
Then at 270°21'39" For 1703.135 On the southern extent of
EPC25396 To 592,075.30 7,412,083.06
Then at 270°21'15" For 1703.129 Abutting EPC25396 To 590,372.20 7,412,093.59
Then at 270°20'51" For 991.578 Abutting EPC25396 To 589,380.64 7,412,099.60
Then at 7°06'47" For 4292.428 Abutting Lot 132 on FTY1841 To 589,912.15 7,416,359.00
Then at 277°15'56" For 1226.409 Abutting the unnamed road To 588,695.59 7,416,514.10
Then at 0°20'37" For 1125.496 Abutting EPC25396 To 588,702.34 7,417,639.57
Then at 90°20'49" For 1703.753 Abutting EPC864 To 590,406.07 7,417,629.26
Then at 90°21'13" For 1703.759 Abutting EPC864 To 592,109.79 7,417,618.74
Then at 90°21'37" For 1193.387 Abutting EPC864 To 593,303.16 7,417,611.24
Then at 187°19'15" For 1673.967 Abutting the boundary of Lot
7 on SP135554 To 593,089.85 7,415,950.92
Table 5 GPS Coordinates for Access road MLA
Grid Bearing
Grid Distance
Description of Line Easting (MGA94 Zone 55)
Northing
(MGA94
Zone 55)
Commencement Point 590,181.06 7,419,205.03
Then at 158°23'40" For 148.47 To 590,235.74 7,419,066.99
Then at 150°09'25" For 373.47 To 590,421.58 7,418,743.04
Then at 139°05'20" For 281.74 To 590,606.09 7,418,530.12
Then at 132°43'15" For 609.915 To 591,054.18 7,418,116.34
Then at 134°17'15" For 273.93 To 591,250.27 7,417,925.07
Then at 158°09'10" For 325.115 To 591,371.26 7,417,623.30
Then at 270°21'13" For 262.235 Abutting Mine area MLA area
To 591,109.03 7,417,624.92
Then at 337°29'50" For 312.54 To 590,989.41 7,417,913.66
Then at 310°52'40" For 338.665 To 590,733.34 7,418,135.30
Glencore Coal Assets Australia Report
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Grid Bearing
Grid Distance
Description of Line Easting (MGA94 Zone 55)
Northing
(MGA94
Zone 55)
Then at 311°55'55" For 439.4 To 590,406.45 7,418,428.93
Then at 313°13'40" For 100.705 To 590,333.08 7,418,497.91
Then at 330°19'05" For 734.01 To 589,969.60 7,419,135.60
Then at 71°49'30" For 222.57 Abutting the registered access on MDL219, back to the commencement point
To 590,181.06 7,419,205.03
Table 6 GPS Coordinates for Registered Access over MDL219
Grid Bearing
Grid Distance
Description of Line Easting (MGA94 Zone 55)
Northing
(MGA94
Zone 55)
Commencement Point 590,181.06 7,419,205.03
Then at 251°49'30" For 222.57 To 589,969.60 7,419,135.60
Then at 330°19'05" For 200.71 To 589,870.21 7,419,309.97
Then at 330°54'50" For 641.17 To 589,558.53 7,419,870.29
Then at 330°45'45" For 668.14 To 589,232.19 7,420,453.31
Then at 327°03'30" For 386.71 To 589,021.91 7,420,777.85
Then at 330°21'15" For 449.45 To 588,799.60 7,421,168.46
Then at 333°23'50" For 360.465 To 588,638.18 7,421,490.77
Then at 330°13'00" For 1294.6 To 587,995.12 7,422,614.36
Then at 7°18'20" For 331.65 Abutting Lot 2 on CLM659 and Fourteen Thousand Access Road
To 588,037.29 7,422,943.32
Then at 150°13'00" For 1576.63 To 588,820.44 7,421,574.95
Then at 162°06'40" For 78.36 To 588,844.51 7,421,500.38
Then at 150°38'30" For 806.85 To 589,240.09 7,420,797.15
Then at 147°09'30" For 555.725 To 589,541.47 7,420,330.25
Then at 143°33'40" For 704.4 To 589,959.86 7,419,763.56
Then at 158°23'40" For 600.745 Back to the commencement point
To 590,181.06 7,419,205.03
Native Title and Cultural Heritage 1.4The Western Kangoulu People are the Traditional Owners of the Project area and have a
Native Title claim (QC2013/002) over approximately 16,130 km2, including EPC25396 and
MDL219 (NNTT, 2018a and b). According to the Queensland Government Mines on Line
database (viewed 11 November 2018), the properties comprising the Mine area MLA are held
in freehold and as such, Native Title has been extinguished. Further assessment in regards
Native Title will be required as part of investigations for the southern coal transport corridor.
Indigenous cultural heritage has been identified in the broader area including on MDL219
through a number of surveys previously undertaken by the Traditional Owners. A number of
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draft management plans for sites of cultural heritage on MDL219 have previously been
prepared as well as a draft Cultural Heritage Investigation Management Agreement (CHIMA)
for MDL219. If an EIS is needed for the Project, a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP)
will be developed in consultation with the Western Kangoulu People over the Project area and
also MDL219 in compliance with requirements of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003.
There are no non-Indigenous cultural heritage sites listed on the Queensland Heritage
Register (under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992) mapped as occurring in the Mine area
MLA, Access road MLA or immediate surrounds (Queensland Government, 2016). The closest
registered heritage places to the Project area comprise: the Emerald Railway Station
Complex in Emerald; the Tomahawk Creek Huts in Rubyvale; the Clermont Cemetery; and
the Stone Farm Building in Clermont (Queensland Government, 2016). The Capella Pioneer
Village located on Pioneer Street in Capella contains over 5,000 items of non-Indigenous
heritage dating from 1869, including the Peak Downs Homestead (CHRC, 2018).
2 Scope
Proposed Mining Activities 2.1
2.1.1 Life of Mine
LOM inclusive of construction, mining and rehabilitation, is estimated to be 15 years.
Following the grant of all necessary approvals, construction activities will commence in Year 1
and mine development activities are planned to occur from Year 2. Open cut pit development
activities are anticipated to occur for seven years with rehabilitation and decommissioning
occurring between years 9 and 15. Rehabilitation of available areas will be undertaken
progressively, and once decommissioned, the site planned to be rehabilitated by year 15. The
current plans for the pit assume mining commencing in year 2022 at a rate of 2.1 to 2.5
Mtpa ROM (average over the LOM of 2.3 Mtpa ROM).
2.1.2 Mine Description
2.1.2.1 Construction
Construction works will include site preparation, vegetation and topsoil removal, topsoil
stockpiling, earthworks, civil works, construction of road access, and building of structures
and plant. The Project will be a relatively short-term operation and will require buildings
constructed to a standard commensurate with the LOM. Relocatable buildings will be required
for the mine offices, ablution blocks, training rooms, bathhouse and workshops. All buildings
for the mining operation will remain in place over the life of the Project. All buildings will be
designed and constructed to meet the Local and State Government regulations, and will be
fitted with portable fire extinguishers. General area lighting will be provided around buildings
where night time access is required.
The Project will likely involve the development and construction of:
An open cut pit with an average production capacity of up to 2.3 Mtpa ROM coal utilising
truck and shovel mining techniques.
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ROM pad and ROM hopper.
Mine access road from the Mine area MLA to join Fourteen Thousand Access Road.
Primary and secondary sizing station and linking conveyors.
Coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP) comprising a single module of 500 tph
capacity, utilising a dry air process.
Product coal conveyors and a 200,000 t capacity product stockpile interfaced with a truck
load out facility.
Product coal reclaim system.
Upgrade and utilisation of the existing Fourteen Thousand Access Road to link the Project
to the Capella Rubyvale Road.
Coal transport haul road to a stockpile facility (location being investigated).
Rail siding and TLO facility (location being investigated).
Plant reject bin and load out facility.
Plant reject material storage areas.
On-site access roads.
Raw water storage and water management dams and pipelines.
Diesel electrical generator station and distribution network.
Solar farm, integrated with diesel generated power.
Communications tower.
Clean and waste water reticulation networks.
A sewage treatment plant (STP) and irrigation infrastructure to dispose of treated
effluent.
On-site landfill.
MIA which will incorporate administration and operations buildings, change rooms, fuel,
lubricants and tyre storage areas, equipment maintenance areas, hardstand areas,
warehouses, workshops, and associated facilities and services.
Re-fuelling area.
Utilities are proposed to include:
Combination of diesel generator(s) and solar facility.
Power connection point and distribution cables.
Water connection point and distribution pipelines.
A 50 ML water supply dam.
100-250 ML of water storage on site.
Information, communication, and telecommunication system.
Drainage and sediment dams.
Typical civil construction equipment will be used during the construction phase including
excavators, haul trucks, dozers, graders and cranes. It is anticipated that construction of the
surface facilities would extend for a period of 9 to 12 months from commencement.
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2.1.2.2 Mine Development
The Project is proposed to be a truck and shovel operation for removal of overburden in
addition to coal and partings for the LOM. The initial boxcut is planned to be a generally
east/west striking trench along the subcrop of the Capella seam, progressing in a generally
south/south-easterly direction (refer Figure 2). Topsoil stripped prior to mining will be
stockpiled for later use in rehabilitation. Overburden will be relocated from above the coal
seams to in-pit dumps and out of pit (OOP) dumps located on site and contiguous with the pit
excavations.
It is proposed that spoil from the initial boxcut will be placed in the western out of pit dump
(WOOP), with the waste material for subsequent strips emplaced in both in-pit and out of pit
dumps. The WOOP dump will likely be located in close proximity to the proposed operations
lowwall. Over the LOM the dump will be expanded to the south behind the advancing mining
operation with the WOOP planned to transition into an in-pit dump which will sequentially
backfill the operations void. The southern out of pit (SOOP) dump is a void management
structure designed to be built incrementally over the LOM using near-surface spoil. Taking
into account requirements of the Project PRCP, on closure the majority of this dump is
proposed to be utilised to partially backfill the void. A light vehicle road will be constructed
around the dumps. Operational equipment will likely include excavators, haul trucks, coal
trucks, loaders, drills, graders, pumps and watercarts.
2.1.2.3 ROM Production
The Project is expected to have an average production rate of 2.3 Mtpa ROM with a peak of
2.5 Mt in Year 5. The volume of ROM production is estimated to yield approximately 1.2 to
1.4 Mt product coal per annum with a peak of 1.42 Mt in Year 5. The Project is expected to
produce both export coking and thermal coals over the LOM. Table 7 details the anticipated
LOM production schedule for the Project assuming the commencement of open cut
development activities in Year 2. The mining sequence over LOM is presented in Figure 3.
Table 7 LOM Indicative Production Schedule Estimates
Year Estimated ROM (Mt) Estimated Product (Mt)
1 2.078 1.205
2 2.290 1.328
3 2.370 1.375
4 2.364 1.371
5 2.458 1.425
6 2.350 1.363
7 2.263 1.12
Total 16.171 9.379
CRYSTAL CRE E K
WHEEL CREEK
590000
7420
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Figure 2 - Mine Plan
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Kilometers
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts - Dept of Environment and Resource Management
© Glencore 2018
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure the quality of theinformation available on this map.
Before relying on the information on this map, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and should obtain anyappropriate professional advice relevant to their
particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumesno responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the
information and by using this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form whatsoever caused
directly or indirectly from the use of this map.
LegendMLA 6MLA 7Registered AccessMDL 219EPC 25396DPP boundaryState Forest
RoadDrainage line
Mine LayoutMIA/CHPP/ROMPitOut of Pit DumpsDam
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994
Map Size: A4 PortraitDate Created: 14/03/2019
±
ValeriaSouth
Pit
SOOP Dump
WOOP Dump
50 MLOverlandFlow Dam
50ML TurkeyNest Dam
MIACHPPROM Receival Area
SEE INSET
INSET
MLA 7MLA 6
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Valeria South Project Figure 3
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Valeria South Project Figure 3
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Valeria South Project Figure 3
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Valeria South Project Figure 3
Glencore Coal Assets Australia Report
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2.1.2.4 Coal Processing and Product Transport
At the CHPP, the Project intends to process ROM through a crusher and dry air process
known as an Air Jig. The Air Jig system destones the coal and consequently removes the
operational requirement for significant water consumption related to washing the coal, and
the need for a tailings dam. Reject material will consist of a generally dry coarse waste rock
material called chitta. Management of this waste material will depend on its geochemical risk
profile and may require burial under a specified thickness of inert spoil.
After processing, the product coal will be stockpiled at the product coal handling facility and
loaded onto trucks using a truck load out facility on the Mine area ML. Transport of product
coal from that facility will likely be along a haul road to a new TLO facility on the Emerald-
Anakie section of the Central Western Railway line. The TLO is proposed to be supplied from
a small stockpile facility located on the southern portion of the haul road corridor, as well as
an elevated conveyor system across the Capricorn Highway to the TLO facility. This facility
would allow the coal to access export markets either via Oaky Creek Mines’ TLO facility or
directly to Gladstone. The proposed product transport corridor and stockpile/load out area
(refer Figure 4) will be subject to further investigation and stakeholder consultation.
The traffic and transportation studies will address road and rail user, community and
intersection safety as well as pavement impacts, to inform the need for mitigation and
management measures. This assessment will inform discussions with Local and State
Governments as to scope and content of any infrastructure agreements. Air, noise and visual
impact assessment will also be undertaken to address any community and stakeholder
issues. The final preferred transport route will be developed following a comprehensive and
ongoing community and stakeholder engagement process.
2.1.2.5 Infrastructure
Raw Water Supply
Water is proposed to be captured from building roofs or trucked in from Capella and stored in
surface and below ground water tanks for potable use. Water captured by the clean and dirty
water surface catchment dams (supplemented by groundwater if necessary) is proposed to
provide non-potable water for dust suppression, wash down bays, workshop, sewage
treatment and ancillary activities.
Surface Catchment and Storages
Figure 2 shows the indicative location of the dams to manage mine water. Other than potable
water it is proposed to have no external sources of water, relying on potentially harvesting
surface water in a single 50 ML dam, while existing and new groundwater bores will also be
utilised to supplement water supply. This latter source however would only be required
during periods of prolonged dry weather. Additional storage capacity will be provided by a
dirty water catchment dam which will be constructed in proximity to the WOOP dump.
CAPELL ARUBY
VA
LE ROAD
14,000Access
RoadCENTRAL WESTERN RAILWAY
CAPRICORN HIGHWAY
GREGORY HIGHWAY
CAPRICORN HIGHWAYEMERALD
CAPELLA
Fork LagoonRoad
600000
7400
000
0 4 8 12 16
Kilometers
Valeria South ProjectFigure 4 - Proposed Product Coal Transportation Route
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LegendValeria South Project MLAsRegistered AccessMDL 219Proposed Project RoadHaulage Route OptionEPC 25396State ForestBlair Athol Joint Venture Land
Regional Council BoundaryRailwayRoad
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure thequality of the information available on this
map.Before relying on the information on thismap, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and shouldobtain any appropriate professional advicerelevant to their particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumes
no responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information and by using
this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form
whatsoever caused directly or indirectly fromthe use of this map.
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology,Innovation and the Arts
- Dept of Environment and ResourceManagement
© Glencore 2018
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55
Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994Map Size: A4 Landscape
Date Created: 15/03/2019
±Heavy Vehicle Routes - Queensland (Published 2018/12/03), State of Queensland (Transport and Main Roads) 2018, accessed via QSpatial, November 2018
Glencore Coal Assets Australia Report
Valeria South Project Environmental Authority Application - Supporting Information Report
Owner: Bronwen Morrison – Approvals Manager Status:
Version:
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Sediment basins will contain and manage the uncontaminated surface run-off (from both
disturbed and undisturbed areas). The sediment basins will treat the run-off water from the
catchment. Design of sediment basins will consider the requirements of the International
Erosion Control Association (Australia) guidelines (IECA, 2008) relating to flow design and
discharge rate. All dams will be provided with riser pipe outlets or equivalent to release the
water trapped in the basin over a prolonged period.
Sewage Treatment
A STP is proposed to treat sewage and grey water generated by the kitchens, showers and
toilets. The Project’s environmental impact assessment will investigate treatment options,
taking into account storage and buffering capacity, and will include options to irrigate treated
effluent to land.
Telecommunications
A mobile radio tower and/or booster system will be constructed if there is insufficient
reception available locally. Data transfer will rely on satellite connections as the Project is not
large enough to warrant the installation of optic fibre to the site. This connection will be used
to run fleet management, maintenance, and plant control systems. Radio communication will
be required on the site for communication between heavy vehicles and light vehicles within
the pit, and between the pit and the workshop.
Power Supply
The power supply for the Project is proposed to include the following:
Initial diesel powered generation for construction activities;
An option to develop a solar farm and lithium-ion battery storage facility to temporarily
replace and supplement the diesel-powered generation as the primary source of site
power.
Sufficient on-site generation is required to provide base-load power with sufficient minimum
load to ensure it can respond quickly to meet the power requirements of the process plant,
workshop, fuel station, STP and ancillary buildings.
Area lighting will be provided around the administration buildings, the mobile equipment
workshop area, and fuel tanker unloading area.
Access and Security
A dedicated turn-off lane from the Capella Rubyvale Road onto the Fourteen Thousand Access
Road will be constructed to improve intersection safety for vehicles entering and exiting the
site and local traffic, particularly at the peak times of workforce shift change. The Access road
will be constructed as an extension from the Fourteen Thousand Access Road to the main
administration building.
All site roads will be high standard gravel roads with high visibility delineators, suitably sized
windrows, and graded and drained to ensure all weather access. Subject to further
investigation and consultation, Fork Lagoon Road to the south could also be used by
emergency vehicles and as a secondary egress for light vehicles in the event that access via
Capella Rubyvale Road is restricted such as by flooding or fire.
Site security will be maintained by installing fencing around the site. Additional security
measures such as boom gates and access protocols will be developed in consultation with
relevant stakeholders.
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Workforce and Accommodation
A construction workforce of approximately 60 full time equivalent contractors will be required
at the peak of the construction period. Where available, the construction workforce will be
sourced locally. Subject to further assessment and consultation, the construction workforce is
proposed to be accommodated in existing facilitates at Capella, with Emerald acting as an
overflow option. An operational workforce of approximately 75 full-time equivalent roles will
be created over the LOM. Where possible these roles will be filled by people living locally and
in surrounding regions.
Resource 2.2The Project lies at the north of the Denison Trough towards the southern end of the Bowen
Basin and is a well-known source of coal with an extensive history of coal mining. The Project
area is located in the northern portion of the Denison Trough on the western flank of the
Bowen Basin. Coal resources within the Mine area MLA occur within 13 seams of Early to
Middle Permian age within the Reids Dome Beds and the overlying Aldebaran Sandstone. The
stratigraphic hierarchy of the coal bearing Aldebaran Sandstone and Reids Dome Beds within
the Bowen Basin are highlighted below in Table 8. Total open cut resources in the Mine area
MLA are estimated at 55 Mt, of which some 45 Mt are classified as Indicated with the
remainder 10 Mt being Inferred.
Table 8 Stratigraphy of the Project
Age Stratigraphic Unit Lithology
Cainozoic Alluvium, minor basalt, poorly sorted and consolidated sediments.
Early Permian
Aldebaran Sandstone Pebbly quartz sandstone, conglomerate, minor shale, siltstone and coal. Delta –Lacustrine depositional environment.
Cattle Creek Formation Quartzose to sub labile sandstone and mudstone. Shallow Marine – Delta depositional environment.
Reids Dome Beds Siltstone, shale, labile sandstone, lithic conglomerate and coal. Alluvial Fan/ Lacustrine depositional environment.
Late Devonian
Retreat Granite Suite Hornblende-biotite granodiorite and adamellite, biotite-hornblende tonalite, diorite, gabbro.
Late Ordovician
Fork Lagoon Beds Quartzose arenite and cleaved mudstone and siltstone, locally phacoidal; minor basalt, felsic volcaniclastics and rare bioclastic limestone and sheared marble.
Early Cambrian-Ordovician
Anakie Metamorphics Siltstone, fine sandstone, phyllite, schist, commonly cleaved and multiply deformed.
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Justification 2.3The Project is expected to produce both coking and thermal coal for export. Coking and
thermal coals are in demand globally. The Project has the following resource and market-
based justifications:
Consistent with Glencore’s announcement to cap global coal production, development of
the Valeria resource is proposed to replace production from Glencore's Clermont mine
which is planned to cease operations around 2026.
It is understood that the coal bearing Reids Dome Belt are only mined at one other
location in Queensland. The Project will allow a better understanding of the
geomechanical and geochemical properties of the coal and market fit.
The Project will test the suitability of Air Jig technology and de-risk the Capella seam
sequence mining and handibility process. This has implications for the viability of
developing MDL219 in the future.
Glencore’s acquisition of the majority interest in Hail Creek and Valeria in August 2018
facilitates early and ongoing access for environmental and technical studies.
The Project provides local and regional employment opportunities and economic activity
to support communities.
Previous Work 2.4Activities undertaken on the Mine area MLA to date include exploration, seismic surveys,
radiometric surveys, property purchases and preliminary ecological, surface water and
groundwater assessments. Extensive exploration, appraisal and environmental work has
completed over neighbouring MDL219 that is of relevance to the Project, including:
Exploration activities, inclusive of wide diameter, geomechanical and geophysical surveys.
Multiple mine plan and pit optimisation studies.
Twenty-three groundwater monitoring bores with active data loggers.
Flora, fauna and aquatic ecology surveys conducted in 2012, including part of EPC25396
adjacent to the Mine area.
Significant Indigenous cultural heritage surveys and development of a draft CHIMA with
the Western Kangoulu people.
Installation of a meteorological station that has been recording data since approximately
2012.
Purchase of a significant portion of the properties within MDL219.
VS will undertake additional work for the Project including resource analysis, mine planning
and environmental assessments for the Project area, including potential coal transportation
routes. Where relevant, this work will build on data already obtained for MDL219.
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3 Environmental Aspects
Air 3.1
3.1.1 Description of Environmental Values
The air environmental values for the Project area that are to be enhanced or protected as
required by the EPP Air, comprise the qualities of the air environmental that are conducive to:
Protecting the health and biodiversity of ecosystems.
Human health and wellbeing.
Protecting the aesthetics of the environment, including the appearance of buildings,
structures and other property.
Protecting agricultural use of the environment.
3.1.1.1 Climate
An automatic weather station (AWS) was installed in 2012 in MDL219, just north of the
Project area (Easting 586564; Northing 7430146). It has recorded rainfall, wind speed and
direction, temperature, relative humidity and radiation data since then. In addition to the
Valeria Tenure AWS, Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) weather stations are located at
Capella (35 km north-east of the Project area), Emerald Airport (35 km south-east of the
Project area), on the Valeria property (21 km north of the Project area), and on the Lucknow
property (22.5 km east/north-east of the Project area).
The Project lies just north of the Tropic of Capricorn and is located within a subtropical
climate zone. The Project area experiences a wet summer season between November and
March and a dry winter season from April through to October (BOM, 2018a and b). Mean
annual rainfall recorded at Emerald Airport BOM station since 2013 is 561.2 mm. The Capella
BOM station has recorded since 1899 and shows a mean annual rainfall of 587.9 mm. Mean
annual rainfall at the Valeria Property AWS between 1994 and 2012 is 423.1 mm and at the
Valeria Tenure since 2012 is 490.6 mm.
July is the coolest month of the year with a mean minimum temperature of 6.9°C and a
mean maximum temperature of 22.4°C. The warmest month of the year is December with a
mean maximum temperature of 34.8°C. Mean minimum temperatures of 21.4°C and 21.0°C
are recorded in January and February respectively. Wind direction is predominantly from the
east but ranges from north-east to south-east. Wind speeds are generally low (<6m/s). Wind
speed is greatest from November to February, peaking in January (4T, 2018).
3.1.1.2 Air Quality
There are currently no government air monitoring network stations in the vicinity of the
Project area. The air quality within the Project area and surrounds is considered to be
consistent with a rural setting and of relatively high quality. Localised air quality impacts may
result from cropping activities, dust generated from stock and farm vehicle movements, dust
of natural origin, bushfires and controlled burns, and vehicular movements on unsealed
roads. There are no known industrial activities or resources projects that emit air pollutants
located in close proximity to the Project.
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3.1.1.3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth), the Project will be
required to calculate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy data in accordance with
the methodologies described within the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting
(Measurement) Determination 2008 (Cth). The Project’s environmental impact assessment
will consider the energy usage and greenhouse gas emission impacts of each stage of the
Project, including the construction, operation and closure stages. It will also evaluate
potential GHG emission mitigation and energy efficiency measures for the Project’s
operational activities.
Three ‘scopes’ of emissions are defined for the above GHG accounting and reporting
purposes, as outlined below:
Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions which occur from sources owned or controlled by
the reporting entity, over which they have a high level of control (such as fuel use).
Scope 2 emissions are those generated from purchased electricity consumed by the
reporting entity.
Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions that are a consequence of the activities of the
reporting entity, but occur at sources owned or controlled by another reporting entity.
The coal produced from the Project, will be managed within the production cap announced by
Glencore in February 2019.
3.1.1.4 Sensitive Receptors
The potential sensitive receptors that have been identified as relevant to the Project are listed
below and shown on Figure 5. Sensitive receptors along the coal transport corridor will be
detailed in the Project’s environmental impact assessment report.
Mine area MLA:
‘Fork Lagoon’, comprising Lot 1 CLM11 and Lot 19 2FTY1249 (State Forest). This property
is owned by BAJV and is leased for cattle grazing. The nearest homestead on this
property is located 1.5 km from the Mine area MLA boundary.
‘Jaydena’, comprising Lot 5 CLM 473. This property is owned by BAJV and leased for
cattle grazing. The nearest homestead on this property is located approximately 3.5 km
from the Mine area MLA boundary.
Private properties neighbouring Mine area MLA:
North and east: ‘Caroa’, with Lots 7 SP135554, 6 SP273885 and 8 SP135554 adjoining
the MLAs. The property is held in freehold, owned and occupied by the landholder. The
homestead is approximately 13.6 km to the north-east of the Mine area MLA boundary
and 15.2 km from the Access road MLA boundary.
East: ‘Burn Meadows’, Lot 8 CLM517 held in freehold. The homestead of this property is
located approximately 4.8 km from the Mine area MLA boundary and 2.7 km from Fork
Lagoon Road.
South: Lot 76 PT372 held in freehold, with the homestead associated with this property is
located approximately 9 km from the Mine area MLA boundary and 2.5 km from Fork
Lagoon Road. Lot 96 SP227975 held in freehold, with the homestead associated with this
property has not yet been identified.
West: ‘Pine Creek’, comprising Lot 2 CLM659 held in freehold, owned and occupied by
landholders. The homestead is located approximately 5.4 km from the Access road
(portion on MDL219) and 7.7 km from the Mine area MLA boundary.
8
8
8
88
88
8
8
8
8
8
8
Lot 132 Plan FTY1841
Lot 76Plan
PT372
PINE CREEK
FORK LAGOON
CAROA
FORK LAGOON 2FORK LAGOON 3 FORK LAGOON 4
FORK LAGOON 5
JAYDENA
STAIER
JAYDENA 2
CAPELLA RUBYVAL
EROAD
FOURTEEN THOUSAND ACCESS
BULLE RYROA D
Lot A PlanSP102767
Lot 18Plan TT27
Lot 19Plan TT27
Lot 6Plan
DSN75
Lot 5 PlanSP102767
Lot 8PlanTT49
Lot 4Plan
SP102767
Lot 1 Plan TT439
Lot 8 PlanCLM567
Lot 192 PlanFTY1249
Lot 68Plan TT117
Lot 5Plan
CLM517
Lot 2Plan
CLM79
Lot 1 PlanCLM78
Lot 1 PlanCLM11
Lot 6 PlanSP273885
Lot 9 PlanSP273885
Lot 1 PlanSP145588
Lot 8 PlanCLM517
Lot 7 PlanSP135554
Lot 5 PlanSP135554Lot 8 Plan
SP135554
Lot 180Plan FTY951
Lot 16 PlanRP620064
Lot 7Plan CLM473
Lot 5 PlanSP132166
Lot 4 PlanSP132166
Lot 132Plan
FTY1841
Lot 2 PlanCLM659
Lot 9Plan
CLM417
Lot 3 PlanSP193694
Lot182 PlanFTY1031
Lot 15 PlanCLM475
Lot 1 PlanCP903880
Lot 5Plan
CLM473
Lot 9Plan PT203
Lot 76Plan PT372
Lot 95 PlanSP227975 Lot 96 Plan
SP227975
Lot 3 PlanSP145588
Lot 21Plan TT28
Lot 20Plan TT28
Lot 2 PlanRP608836
RETREAT CREE K
CARBINE CREEK
RETRE AT CREEK
RETREAT CREEK
KETTLECREEK
MAY CREE K
RETREAT CREEK
WHEEL CR EEK
THERESA CREEK
CRYSTAL CREEKPINE CREE
K
FORK LAGOON
ROAD
575000 580000 585000 590000 595000 600000 605000 610000
7405
000
7410
000
7415
000
7420
000
7425
000
7430
000
0 2 4 6 8
Kilometers
Valeria South ProjectFigure 5 - Properties and Sensitive Receptors
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LegendValeria South Project MLAsRegistered AccessMDL 219EPC 25396CadastreState Forest
8 HomesteadsLand Ownership
Blair Athol Joint Venture LandState of Qld LandRoadRailwayDrainage line
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure thequality of the information available on this
map.Before relying on the information on thismap, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and shouldobtain any appropriate professional advicerelevant to their particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumes
no responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information and by using
this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form
whatsoever caused directly or indirectly fromthe use of this map.
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology,Innovation and the Arts
- Dept of Environment and ResourceManagement
© Glencore 2018
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55
Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994Map Size: A4 Landscape
Date Created: 14/03/2019
±
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3.1.2 Emissions and Releases
Emissions and releases to the ambient air environment that may result from Project activities
could comprise:
Exhaust fumes from the generator(s), machinery and equipment operating on site.
Exhaust fumes and dust generated by vehicles machinery and equipment moving within
the Project area and to and from site, including haul trucks driving to and from the TLO.
Emissions from the CHPP, conveyors and other plant.
Spontaneous combustion, caused by the oxidation of coal and related carbonaceous
materials and resultant self-heating. When the generated heat is trapped in spoil or loose
coal, the temperatures can rise until it ignites or spontaneously combust.
3.1.3 Potential Impacts and Management Practices
If unmitigated or unmanaged, potential impacts on air quality from the emissions and
releases identified above can cause environmental nuisance at sensitive receptors, impact on
human and ecological health and well-being, and impact on agricultural productivity (DES,
2017a). Dust can cause nuisance by settling on property/possessions, affecting visibility, and
contaminating tank water supplies. It can also affect human and animal respiration and the
ability of plants, including crops, to photosynthesise (EPP Air).
Glencore has extensive experience in Queensland managing coal mining operations in an
environmentally responsible manner. Therefore, the potential impacts identified on air values
will be avoided or appropriately mitigated or managed as will be outlined within the Project’s
environmental impact assessment report.
Air quality monitoring will be undertaken for the Project to determine existing baseline values
prior to commencing Project activities. On-going long term monitoring will be undertaken for
the LOM to monitor compliance with EA conditions. All air quality monitoring and modelling
will be undertaken in accordance with the EPP Air and relevant Australian Standards.
Air quality monitors will be located at representative sensitive receptors near to the Project
area to provide information on the air quality of the Project area and surrounds. Locations
will be selected in consideration of emission source locations, prevailing weather patterns and
terrain. Monitors will include wind field measurements to correlate with suspended particulate
matter concentration measurements where appropriate. Meteorological data from the Valeria
Tenure AWS will be correlated with air monitoring data as required. An observation log will
also be maintained, recording on-site or off-site dust incidents including dust storms and
bushfires that could affect measured suspended particulate concentrations.
Air dispersion modelling will be undertaken as part of the environmental impact assessment
report to predict the types of activities and weather conditions that could potentially result in
environmental nuisance at sensitive receptors, and potential for exceedance of EA conditions.
This information will be used to ensure appropriate mitigation and management measures
are in place for high-risk conditions. It will also be used to inform any mitigation and
management measures required for the Project. Mitigation and management measures will
be informed by the environmental impact assessment and may include:
Positioning site infrastructure in consideration of prevailing wind direction and location of
sensitive receptors.
Restricting vehicle and machinery speeds on un-sealed roads,
Rehabilitation of disturbed areas as soon as practicable.
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Undertaking regular maintenance to ensure all machinery is in good working order, and
does not generate excessive air emissions.
Operating vehicle, plant and machinery in proper and effective condition and minimising
idling periods.
Undertaking dust suppression activities such as watering in adverse and windy conditions.
3.1.4 Risk Assessment
Assessment of the risk of adverse impacts occurring to air environmental values will consider:
The magnitude, relative size or actual extent of any impact in relation to the
environmental value being affected.
The severity of any adverse effect or the scale of any beneficial outcome.
The duration of any effect.
An indication of the level of uncertainty of impacts and any assumptions used to address
the uncertainty in any of the data or proposed commitments to protect the environmental
values.
The above factors and associated level of risk to environmental values will be determined as
part of the Project’s environmental impact assessment.
Land 3.2
3.2.1 Description of Environmental Values
There are no prescribed environmental values relating to land for the Project. The
environmental values of land in the Project area are considered to include the following (DES,
2017b):
Soil health and function such as physical stability, structure and chemical attributes of
soil, including as it relates to erosion potential and vegetation growth.
Integrity of soil as a resource to be used in rehabilitation and to support post-mine land
use.
Stability of disturbed land ensuring it is non-polluting.
Integrity of neighbouring land use and productivity.
Landscape values including topographical continuity in a rural setting.
3.2.1.1 Tenure
The Mine area MLA partly overlies EPC25396 and an adjoining area encompassed by three
PPPs. The Access road MLA and a registered access over MDL219 will encompass the primary
access route between the Mine area MLA and Fourteen Thousand Access Road. The Mine area
MLA is situated entirely on BAJV land. The Access road MLA partly overlaps EPC8674, held by
Auriga Coal Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of QCoal. The Access road MLA will provide tenure for a road
access corridor and for the carriage of services such as power, water and communications.
Coal mining is not proposed within this MLA. Rather, the area of the Access road MLA is
required for essential infrastructure to support coal mining within the Mine area MLA.
All mining activities will be contained in EPC25396 and PPPs area. The Project area is
bordered to the south by Exploration Permit Minerals (EPMs) 25988 and 25979 (held by GCB
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Minerals Pty Ltd). These EPMs overlap EPC25396 but are excluded from the MLAs. There is no
petroleum tenure overlapping the Project area or surrounds.
Coal transport options and routes are being investigated and may involve additional MLAs or
planning approval through Central Highlands Regional Council (CHRC) via the Planning Act
2016 to construct facilities outside the mining tenure regime. Further investigations and
stakeholder consultation will be undertaken to establish the location and most appropriate
approvals pathways for this infrastructure.
3.2.1.2 Planning
The Project area and proposed southern coal transport route are located in the CHRC LGA.
The CHRC Planning Scheme (2016) (the planning scheme) identifies Fourteen Thousand
Access Road and Fork Lagoon Road as local publically gazetted roads. Capella Rubyvale Road
is identified in the planning scheme as a Local Road of Regional Significance.
Activities required for the Project but outside the extent of the two MLAs may require
separate approvals under the Planning Act 2016. This would include upgrade to Fourteen
Thousand Access Road. Subject to further corridor investigation, upgrade of the Fork Lagoon
Road or modification to watercourse crossings and works required for the coal stockpile and
TLO facility will also require approval (possibly through a combination of MLs and local
government planning processes).
The planning scheme identifies the Project area as occurring in a Rural Zone, with MDL219
shown on the Extractive and Mineral Resources Overlay Map (OM004) (CHRC, 2016).
Although mining activities on MLs authorised under the MR Act are not assessable
development under the Planning Act 2016, mining activities in the Project area are consistent
with the planning scheme and can be conditionally undertaken in the Rural Zone.
There are no areas of regional interest (ARI) under the Regional Planning Interest Act 2014
within the Mine area or Access road MLAs. The closest ARI comprising State-mapped
Strategic Cropping Land occurs in the northern part of MDL219 and adjacent to Fork Lagoon
Road near Retreat Creek, to the south of the Mine area MLA. Strategic Cropping Land is also
mapped along the northern side of the Capricorn Highway.
3.2.1.3 Land Use
As shown on Figure 6, land use in the region is mapped predominately as grazing native
vegetation. Regional land use also comprises irrigated and non-irrigated cropping, coal
exploration and production, fossicking, forestry and residential, including the townships of
Emerald, Capella and the Gemfields (Anakie, Rubyvale, and Sapphire) (CHRC, 2013;
Queensland Government, 2018a).
The main road transport routes in the area comprise the State-controlled Gregory Highway
running in a north/south direction to the east of the Project area, and the State-controlled
Capricorn Highway running in an east/west direction to the south of the Project area. An
easement (no infrastructure) held by CHRC crosses the Mine area MLA. The main rail
transport corridors comprise a branch of the Central Western Railway line that runs from
Emerald to Blair Athol via Capella, and the main line of Central Western Railway that extends
from Rockhampton to Winton via Emerald. Ergon has a power network extending into
‘Jaydena’ property from the west and into ‘Fork Lagoon’ property over Kettle Creek from the
south.
CAPELLA
RUBYVALE ROAD
FOURTEEN THOUSAND
ACCESS
BULLE RYROA D
THERES A CREEK
CENTRE CREEK
RETREATCR EEK
GORD
ONST
ONECR
EEK
CAPELLA CREEK
TAROBORAH CREEK
RETRO CREEK
KE TTLE CREEK
NOGO
A RI VERMAY CREE
K
WHEEL CREEK
CARBINECREEK
CRYSTA
LCREEK
FORK LAG
OONROAD
570000 575000 580000 585000 590000 595000 600000 605000 610000 615000
7400
000
7405
000
7410
000
7415
000
7420
000
7425
000
7430
000
7435
000
7440
000
0 3.5 7 10.5 14
Kilometers
Valeria South ProjectFigure 6 - Land Use
LegendRegistered AccessValeria South Project MLAsMDL 219EPC 25396QLD State Government TriggerMap for Strategic Cropping LandStock RouteRoadDrainage line
Land UseOther conserved areaOther minimal useResidual native coverGrazing native vegetationProduction native forestsCroppingLand in transitionIrrigated croppingIrrigated cottonIrrigated perennial horticultureIrrigated citrus
Irrigated seasonal horticultureStockyards/saleyardsManufacturing and industrialResidential and farm infrastructureUrban residentialRural residential without agriculture
Commercial servicesPublic servicesRecreation and cultureUtilitiesElectricity substations andtransmissionWater extraction and transmissionTransport and communicationAirports and aerodromesMiningReservoir/damChannel/aquedeuctSupply channel aqueduct
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55
Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994Map Size: A4 Landscape
Date Created: 15/03/2019
±
Land use mapping - 1999 to Current - Queensland (Published 2018/03/27), State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Science) 2018, accessed via QSpatial November 2018
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts - Dept of Environment and Resource Management
© Glencore 2018
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure the quality of theinformation available on this map.
Before relying on the information on this map, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and should obtain anyappropriate professional advice relevant to their
particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumesno responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the
information and by using this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form whatsoever caused
directly or indirectly from the use of this map.
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Glencore Coal Assets Australia Report
Valeria South Project Environmental Authority Application - Supporting Information Report
Owner: Bronwen Morrison – Approvals Manager Status:
Version:
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The land use in the Mine area MLA predominantly comprises cattle grazing. The majority of
the Mine area MLA, particularly on the flatter areas, has been historically cleared for this
purpose. Some vegetated areas occur in the east, west and centre, associated with ridge
lines and higher topography. Part of this vegetation is mapped as production forestry
(Queensland Government, 2018a), associated with Kettle State Forest, Burn State Forest,
Crystal Creek State Forest and Llandillo State Forest (refer Figure 6).
There are no stock routes mapped as occurring in the Mine area or Access road MLAs. The
nearest stock route is located south of the Mine area MLA and runs in an east/west direction
to the immediate south of Retreat Creek. Fork Lagoon Road crosses the stock route in this
vicinity. To the immediate west of the Project area on EPC1825 are a number of government-
mapped historical copper mines including Gougers Pit and Kirby’s Selection Numbers 1 and 2
(Queensland Government, 2018a).
3.2.1.4 Topography
The Mine area MLA is relatively flat across large areas (approx. 225-230 m AHD) with slope
gradients approximating 0.8 to 1.6%. Steeper areas occur along the western and eastern
boundaries associated with the vegetated hills of the State Forest (up to 11.6%). The
topography rises to a higher elevated towards the centre of the Mine area (approx. 260 m
AHD), resulting in the delineation between tributaries of Crystal Creek flowing to the north
and tributaries of Kettle Creek flowing to the south (refer Figure 7).
3.2.1.5 Geology
The surface geology of the Mine area MLA comprises the following in stratigraphic order
(Queensland Government, 2018b) (refer Figure 8):
Quaternary colluvium (Qr\b) occurs in the north-eastern corner of the Mine area MLA
(black soil, silt and mud, residual and colluvial deposits).
Quaternary alluvium (Qa) is associated with the main tributaries to Crystal and Kettle
Creeks (clay, silt, sand and gravel, flood-plain alluvium).
Tertiary basalt (Tb) is associated with a ridge line through the central-eastern part of the
Mine area MLA (mostly olivine basalt flows and some plugs, some areas of nephelinite,
basanite etc.).
Aldebaran sandstone (Permian arenite (Pbl)) associated with elevated areas and the state
forest in the east (pebbly quartz sandstone, conglomerate, minor shale, siltstone and
coal).
Reids Dome beds (Pj) dominates the Mine area MLA and is a Permian-age sedimentary
rock (siltstone, shale, labile sandstone, lithic conglomerate and coal).
Fork Lagoons beds (Late Ordovician arenite-mudstone (Of)) in southern part of the Mine
area MLA (Quartzose arenite and cleaved mudstone and siltstone, locally phacoidal, minor
basalt, felsic volcaniclastics and rare bioclastic limestone and sheared marble).
Small areas of early-Paleozoic ultramafic rock (sp-Anakie), Ordovician/Devonian granitoid
(ODg-Anakie) and Tertiary silcrete (Td/q).
KETTLECREEK
CRY STALCREEK
W HEELCREEK
340320300
280
260
310290
300
290
280270
290270
250
260
250 240
260
240
280
270
250240
290
280 270
260
260
250
260250
220210
250240
230220
220 210
220
210
210
200
250
240
260
260
230
320
300
260
230
310
320
300
290
280
280
250
240
220
210
310300
300
290
280
290
290
280
270
270270
270
270
270
260
260
260
260
260
250 250
250
240
240
240
240
230
230
220
220220
220
220
210
200
200
220
FORKLAGO O N
RO AD
CAPELLARUBY V
ALERO AD
FO URTEENTHO USANDACCESS580000 585000 590000 595000 60000074
1000
074
1500
074
2000
074
2500
0
0 1 2 3 4
Kilom eters
Valeria South ProjectFigure 7 - Topography
Ref: \\AUSYDSRVC5590\OperationsGIS\Valeria GIS\03.MapDocuments\EA\20190314_EA_Topography_03.mxd
Legen dVa leriaRegistered Ac c ess
Coordin ate System :GDA 1994 MGA Zon e 55
Projec tion : Tra n sverse Merc atorDatum : GDA 1994Map Size: A4 La n dsc ape
Da te Created: 22/03/2019
±
DISCLAIMERSub ject To Survey
Glen c ore m a kes every effort to en sure thequa lity of the in form ation a va ila b le on thism a p.Before relyin g on the in form ation on thism a p, users should c a refully eva lua te its a c c ura c y, c urren c y, c om pleten ess a n dreleva n c e for their purposes, a n d shouldob ta in a n y appropriate profession a l a dvic ereleva n t to their partic ula r c irc um sta n c es. Glen c ore c a n n ot guara n tee a n d assum es
n o respon sib ility for the a c c ura c y, c urren c y or com pleten ess of the in form ation a n d b y usin gthis m ap you a c c ept that Glen c ore has n o lia b ility for a n y loss or da m a ge in a n y form wha tsoever c a used direc tly or in direc tly from
the use of this m ap.© State of Queen sla n d 2018
- Dept of Na tura l Resourc es a n d Min es - Dept of Sc ien c e, In form ation Tec hn ology,
In n ova tion a n d the Arts - Dept of En viron m en t a n d Resourc e
Ma n a gem en t© Glen c ore 2018
Con tours - 10 m etre in terva l - b y area of in terest – Queen sla n d (Pub lished 2016/08/16), State of Queen sla n d (Depa rtm en t of Natura l Resourc es, Min es a n d En ergy) 2018, a c c essed via QSpatia l Novem b er 2018
CAPELLA
RUBYVALE ROAD
FOURTEEN THOUSAND
ACCESS
CARBINE CREEK
RETREAT CREEK
KETTLE CRE EK
WHEELCREEK
CRYSTAL CREE K
Tb
Qpa
Td
Pbl
Pbl
Pbl
Pblk
Pbl>TQa
Pbl
spOf/v?
OfOf/v?
spOf/v?
Dgi?
TQaTd\q
Td\qQr
Qpa
Td\qTd
Td
Td
TdTd\q
Td\q
Td
Td
Td\q
Qr
Td
Td\q
Td\q
Td
Pj
Pj
ODgTd\q
Tb
Td
Td\q
Pbl
Td\q
TQa\m
Td
Qpa
Tb
Pj
Pbl
Pbl
Ogb
Pj
Of Pwt
OfOf
Of
Of/v?
Ogbsp
Of
Pbl
Pbl
Td
Td
Td\q
Td\q
Td\q
TQa
Td
TQa\m
Qpa
Td
Td
Td\q
Td\q
Qr
TQa
TQa
Td\q
Td\q
Td\qTQa\m
TQa
Td\q
Pbl
TQa
Qr\b
Td\q
Qpa
TQa
Pbn
Td
TQa
Td
Td\q
Td Td\q
TQa
Td\q
Td
Pbl
Pbl
OfPwt
Pj
Pwg
Of/v? Of/v?
sp
Pbl
Pbl
sp
Of
Pbl
Qr\b,Td\q
Ogb
TrTd\q
Qr\b
Td
Td\q
Td
Tb
Td\q
Td\q
Td\q
Td
Td
Td\q
Td\q
Td\q
Qpa
Td
Td
Td\q
Td
Qr
TQa
Td\q
Td\q
Qr
TQa
Qr
Td\q
TQa
Tb
Td
Td\q
Td
Td
Qa
Qa
QaQa
Qa
Qa
Qa
Qa
Dgi?
Qr
Pbl
Of
Of
Pbl
Pblk
Pblk
Tb
Td
TQa
Td
Td\qTd
Td
Qr
Pbl
Td\q
Td
TQa
Pbl
Of
Pbl>TQa
sp
Of
Of/v?
Pbl
Pbl
Of
Dgi?
Pbl
Pbl
Td,Qr
Pj
Td
Qr
Td\q
Qr
Td\q
Td\q
TQa
Td\q
Td
Td\q
Td
Td
Qr
Td
Td\q
Td
Td\q
Pj
QrTd\qTd\q
Pbd
Of/v? Ogb
Dgi?
Pbl
Pbl
Td
Td
Td
Td\q
Td\q
Td\q
Td\q
Td
FORKLAGOON ROAD
580000 585000 590000 595000 600000 605000
7405
000
7410
000
7415
000
7420
000
7425
000
0 2 4 6 8
Kilometers
Valeria South ProjectFigure 8 - Surface Geology
Ref: \
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LegendValeria South Project MLAsRegistered AccessMDL 219EPC 25396RoadDrainage line
Surface GeologyAldebaran Sandstone (Pbl)Aldebaran Sandstone,TQa-QLD (Pbl>TQa)
Burngrove Formation (Pwg)Dg-ANAKIE (Dg)Fair Hill Formation (Pwt)Fork Lagoons beds (Of)Fork Lagoons beds/v?(Of/v?)German Creek Formation(Pbd)Kettle ConglomerateMember (Pblk)Kilmarnock Granodiorite(Dgi)Kilmarnock Granodiorite?(Dgi?)MacMillan Formation (Pbn)ODg-ANAKIE (ODg)Ogb-ANAKIE (Ogb)Qa-QLD (Qa)Qpa-QLD (Qpa)Qr-QLD (Qr)Qr\b-QLD (Qr\b)Qr\b-QLD,Td\q-QLD(Qr\b,Td\q)
Red Mountain Formation(Tr)Reids Dome beds (Pj)TQa-QLD (TQa)TQa\m-QLD (TQa\m)Taroborah Granodiorite(Dgt)Tb-QLD (Tb)Td-QLD (Td)Td-QLD,Qr-QLD (Td,Qr)Td\q-QLD (Td\q)sp-ANAKIE (sp)
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure thequality of the information available on this
map.Before relying on the information on thismap, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and shouldobtain any appropriate professional advicerelevant to their particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumes
no responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information and by using
this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form
whatsoever caused directly or indirectly fromthe use of this map.
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology,Innovation and the Arts
- Dept of Environment and ResourceManagement
© Glencore 2018
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55
Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994Map Size: A4 Landscape
Date Created: 14/03/2019
±Detailed surface geology - Queensland (Published 2018/05/24), State of Queensland (Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy) 2018, accessed via QSpatial November 2018
Glencore Coal Assets Australia Report
Valeria South Project Environmental Authority Application - Supporting Information Report
Owner: Bronwen Morrison – Approvals Manager Status:
Version:
Final
5
Effective: 22/03/2019 Page 38 of 83
Uncontrolled unless viewed on the intranet
3.2.1.6 Soils
The Mine area is mapped as comprising three land systems (Nogoa-Belyando Area) (CSIRO,
2018) (refer Figure 9):
Humbolt (Hu) – Plains and lowlands on acid clay, frequently gravelly, texture-contrast
soils (Retro), black-butt, brigalow scrub and scrub grass. Pasture land, sown pastures,
and native pastures on high fertility soils.
Monteagle (Mo) – Gently undulating lowlands and plains, texture-contrast soils (Luxor,
Springwood, Retro), poplar-box woodland over eastern mid-height grass. Pasture land,
native pastures.
Durrandella (Du) – Stony dissected hills, scarps, and breakaways, shallow rocky soils and
shallow red and yellow earths (Shotover, Gregory), bendee and lancewood scrub over
arid scrub grass. Native pastures suitable for light grazing.
The soil units occurring in the Project area comprise the following (CSIRO, 2016) (refer
Figure 10):
Rudosols (Bz2 sands - strongly undulating to low hilly lands with much granite outcrop:
dominant soils are shallow sands), which are usually coarse textured with a very low clay
content, strongly acid and have a low water holding capacity due to the coarse texture,
abundant stones and shallow depth.
Sodosol (Oc24 - broadly undulating lands: dominant are thin-surfaced loamy duplex
soils), which have very low agricultural potential with high sodicity leading to high
erodibility, poor structure and low permeability.
The Project area is not in a coastal area or at or below an elevation of 5m AHD. It does not
exhibit geomorphic or soils indicators for acid sulphate soils. Lot 5 CLM473 and Lot 1 CLM11
over which the Mine area and Access road MLAs and the registered access on MLD219
extend, are not listed on the EMR or CLR (DES, 2018a and b).
3.2.2 Emissions and Releases
If unmitigated or unmanaged, potential accidental release of chemicals and fuels during
Project activities can result in short or long term soil contamination. Releases to land can also
result from inadequate management of overburden and mine affected water, whereby
potential contaminants can seep or leak from containment and storage structures and impact
underlying and adjacent soils.
The Project proposes to irrigate treated effluent from the STP to a designated area on site
(refer section 3.7). An on-site landfill is proposed for the disposal of general waste and tyres.
The size and location of the landfill is still to be determined, however placement will consider
soil characteristics, topography, drainage lines and groundwater conditions.
Glencore has extensive experience in Queensland managing coal mining operations in an
environmentally responsible manner. Therefore, the potential impacts on land values will be
avoided or appropriately mitigated or managed, as will be outlined in the Project’s
environmental impact assessment report.
CAPELLA
RUBYVALE ROAD
FOURTEEN THOUSAND
ACCESS
BULLE RYROA DTHERESACREEK
KETTLE CR EEK
CARBINE CREEK
WHE ELCREEK
CRYSTAL CREEK
Ct
Le
Hu
Mo
Mo
O
Wa
Pl
Al
Mo
Cd
Mo
Mo
FORK LAGOONROAD
Hu
Hu
Al
Bl
Du
Al
Hu
Mo
Mo
Mo
Bl
O
Du
Mo
Mo
Cd
Bl
Du
Hu
Bl
Hu
K
Ho580000 585000 590000 595000 600000 605000
7410
000
7415
000
7420
000
7425
000
0 1.5 3 4.5 6
Kilometers
Valeria South ProjectFigure 9 - Land Systems
LegendValeria South Project MLAsRegistered AccessMDL 219EPC 25396RoadDrainage line
Land Systems of the Nogoa-Belyando AreaHILLS - Woodlands - Eastern mid-height grass
Hope (Ho)Copperfield (Cd)
HILLS - Woodlands - Blue GrassWaterford (Wa)
HILLS - Woodlands - Bendee and lancewood scrubsDurrandella (Du)
TABLELANDS AND LOWLANDSLennox (Le)
LOWLANDS - Cypress pine scrubPlayfair (Pl)
LOWLANDS - Woodlands - Texture-contrast soildMonteagle (Mo)
LOWLANDS - Brigalow, gidgee and blackwood scrubsHumboldt (Hu)Blackwater (Bl)
LOWLANDS - GrasslandOxford (O)
LOWLANDS - AlluviumAlpha (Al)Comet (Ct)
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55
Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994Map Size: A4 Landscape
Date Created: 14/03/2019
±Land systems - lands of the Nogoa-Belyando area - Queensland - ZCQ2 (Published 1976/01/01), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) 2018, accessed via QSpatial November 2018
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts - Dept of Environment and Resource Management
© Glencore 2018
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure the quality of theinformation available on this map.
Before relying on the information on this map, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and should obtain anyappropriate professional advice relevant to their
particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumesno responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the
information and by using this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form whatsoever caused
directly or indirectly from the use of this map.
Ref: \
\ausy
dsrvc
5590
\Ope
ration
sGIS
\Valer
ia GI
S\03.M
apDo
cume
nts\EA
\2019
0314
_EA_
Land
Syste
ms_0
2.mxd
CAPELLA
RUBYVALE ROAD
FOURTEEN THOUSAND
ACCESS
BULLE RYROA D
KETTLE CREEK
CARBINE CREEK
RE
TREAT CRE EK
THERESA CREEK
WHE ELCREEK
CRYSTAL CREEK
FORKLAGOON ROAD580000 585000 590000 595000 600000 605000
7410
000
7415
000
7420
000
7425
000
0 1.5 3 4.5 6
Kilometers
Valeria South ProjectFigure 10 - Soil Units
Ref: \
\AUS
YDSR
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9031
4_EA
_Soil
s_02
.mxd
LegendRegistered AccessValeria South Project MLAsRailwayDrainage lineMDL 219EPC 25396Road
Australian Soil ClassificationOrder
Kandosol (My24)Rudosol (Bz2, Fz12)Sodosol (Oc24, Oc26, Sl10,Sl9, Ub79)Vertosol (CC23, Kd7, Kb10)
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure thequality of the information available on this
map.Before relying on the information on thismap, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and shouldobtain any appropriate professional advicerelevant to their particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumes
no responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information and by using
this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form
whatsoever caused directly or indirectly fromthe use of this map.
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology,Innovation and the Arts
- Dept of Environment and Resource Management
© Glencore 2018
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55
Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994Map Size: A4 Landscape
Date Created: 25/03/2019
±Digital Atlas of Australian Soils (Published 2009/10/21), Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) 2009, accessed via Australian Soil Resource Information System, November 2018
Glencore Coal Assets Australia Report
Valeria South Project Environmental Authority Application - Supporting Information Report
Owner: Bronwen Morrison – Approvals Manager Status:
Version:
Final
5
Effective: 22/03/2019 Page 41 of 83
Uncontrolled unless viewed on the intranet
3.2.3 Potential Impacts and Management Measures
Impacts from the Project to land will result from direct disturbance through construction of
the initial box cut, OOP dumps, dams, MIA and other infrastructure and through the upgrade
and construction of roads and tracks. In addition, the Project may involve quarrying basalt
material within the Mine area MLA for use in access and haul road upgrade works.
The positioning of the majority of site infrastructure to avoid watercourses and vegetated
areas will minimise environmental harm to land. Changes to topography may result from the
pit development. The design and positioning of the pit has attempted to minimise the impacts
and rehabilitation works will reshape the landform to contours consistent with the pre-mining
land use. Subsidence is not expected to result from Project activities. Rehabilitation and post-
mine land use is discussed in Section 3.8. Construction activities are described in Section
2.1.2.
The Project also has the potential to impact on surrounding land use resulting from
inappropriate design and management of the Project. The siting of the Mine area and the
road components on BAJV land and existing easements is intended to minimise the impacts
on neighbouring land uses and sterilisation of land for agricultural use.
If unmanaged or unmitigated, Project activities could cause contamination, compaction,
degradation and erosion of soils. Soil surveys of the Mine area MLA will be undertaken to
determine the physical and chemical characteristics of soils on site, and to inform mitigation
and management measures to be implemented throughout Project construction, operation
and rehabilitation. A geochemical assessment will also be undertaken to identify the
characteristics of waste rock material and suitable management measures to be implemented
over the LOM.
Treated effluent from the STP is proposed to be irrigated to land. As part of the
environmental impact assessment, the Project will investigate the sewage treatment systems
suitable for the numbers of personnel anticipated to work at the Project, and the quality of
treated effluent produced by those systems. The location and size of the irrigation area will
be determined in consideration of volumes of treated effluent requiring disposal, proximity to
the STP, topography, receiving soil characteristics, existing ground cover, and proximity to
native vegetation and watercourses/drainage lines.
Measures to mitigate and manage potential impacts to land, as determined by the
environmental impact assessment, could comprise:
Storage and handling of chemicals and fuels away from watercourse or drainage lines and
in accordance with the relevant legislative requirements and Australian Standards.
Installation and monitoring of erosion and sediment control measures, with a focus on
activities undertaken in or near drainage lines or waterways.
Appropriate soil handling measures including topsoil stripping and stockpiling.
Construction and management of storage structures in compliance with DES documents
'Structures which are dams and levees constructed as part of environmentally relevant
activities' and the 'Manual for Assessing Consequence Categories and Hydraulic
Performance of Structures' as relevant (DES, 2016b; 2017d).
Restriction of vehicle and machinery access to clearly identified areas on the Mine area
MLA.
Management of weeds and pests as required by the Land Access Code 2016 and the
Biosecurity Act 2014.
Glencore Coal Assets Australia Report
Valeria South Project Environmental Authority Application - Supporting Information Report
Owner: Bronwen Morrison – Approvals Manager Status:
Version:
Final
5
Effective: 22/03/2019 Page 42 of 83
Uncontrolled unless viewed on the intranet
3.2.4 Risk Assessment
Assessment of the risk of adverse impacts occurring to land environmental values will
consider:
The magnitude, relative size or actual extent of any impact in relation to the
environmental value being affected.
The severity of any adverse effect or the scale of any beneficial outcome.
The duration of any effect.
An indication of the level of uncertainty of impacts and any assumptions used to address
the uncertainty in any of the data or proposed commitments to protect the environmental
values.
The above factors and associated level of risk to land environmental values will be
determined during the Project’ environmental impact assessment.
Ecology 3.3
3.3.1 Description of Environmental Values
There are no prescribed environmental values relating to ecology for the Project area. The
environmental values of terrestrial and aquatic ecology within the Project area to be
protected or enhanced are considered to comprise:
Vegetation communities and ecosystems.
Environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) as defined by the EP Regulation.
Habitat values associated with vegetation communities, including for endangered,
vulnerable, near threatened and special least concern fauna and flora species.
Vegetation corridors that allow for habitat connectivity, including that provided by riparian
vegetation.
Aquatic ecosystems and associated habitat values for endangered, vulnerable, near
threatened and special least concern species.
GDEs including surface water/groundwater/ecology interactions and the species
supported by these ecosystems.
The Project area is located within the Isaac-Comet Downs sub-region of the Brigalow Belt
Bioregion. Lower-lying areas in the Mine area and Access road MLAs have been cleared in the
past to facilitate cattle grazing. Intact native vegetation communities are present and
associated with the undulated rises, jump-ups and stepped sandstone low hills in the eastern,
western and central portions of the Mine area MLA. A number of ESAs are State-mapped as
occurring in the Project surrounds, including the Caroa Island Paddock Nature Refuge
approximately 10 km to the north-east of the Project area (refer Figure 11).
CAPELLA
RUBYVALE
ROAD
NUTHO LM
RO AD
DAYTONA
ROAD
FO URTEEN THO USAND
ACCESS BULLERY
RO AD
AMAHRO ADCARBINECREEK
RETREATCREEK
KETTLECREEK
W HEE
LCREEK
CRY STALCREEK
THERESACREEK
KINGO W ERBILLABO NG
FO RKLAGO O NROAD
580000 585000 590000 595000 600000 6050007405
000
7410
000
7415
000
7420
000
7425
000
7430
000
0 2 4 6 8
Kilom eters
Valeria South ProjectFigure 11 - State Mapped Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Ref: \\AUSYDSRVC5590\OperationsGIS\Valeria GIS\03.MapDocuments\EA\20190314_EA_EnvSensAreas_03.mxd
Legen dVa leria South Projec t MLAsRegistered Ac c essMDL 219EPC 25396Roa dRa ilwa yDra in a ge lin e
Category BEn da n gered Region a lEc osystem s (BiodiversityStatus)Nature Refuge
Category CState Forest
DISCLAIMERSub jec t To Survey
Glen c ore m a kes every effort to en sure thequa lity of the in form a tion a va ila b le on thism a p.Before relyin g on the in form ation on thism a p, users should c arefully eva lua te its a c c ura c y, c urren c y, com pleten ess a n dreleva n c e for their purposes, a n d shouldob ta in a n y a ppropria te profession a l a dvic ereleva n t to their partic ula r c irc um sta n c es. Glen c ore c a n n ot gua ra n tee a n d assum esn o respon sib ility for the a c c ura c y, c urren c y or com pleten ess of the in form a tion a n d b y usin gthis m ap you a c c ept that Glen c ore has n o lia b ility for a n y loss or da m a ge in a n y form whatsoever c a used directly or in direc tly from
the use of this m a p.© Sta te of Queen sla n d 2018
- Dept of Natura l Resourc es a n d Min es - Dept of Sc ien c e, In form a tion Tec hn ology,
In n ova tion a n d the Arts - Dept of En viron m en t a n d Resourc e
Ma n a gem en t© Glen c ore 2018
Coordin a te System :GDA 1994 MGA Zon e 55
Projec tion : Tra n sverse Merc a torDatum : GDA 1994Map Size: A4 La n dsc a pe
Date Created: 15/03/2019
±Searc h from https://en viron m en t.des.qld.gov.a u/lic en c es-perm its/m aps_ of_ en viron m en ta lly_ sen sitive_ a rea s.php on 26 Novem b er 2018. Matters of state en viron m en ta l sign ific a n c e - Protected area - n a ture refuges – Queen sla n d (Pub lished 2017/06/28), State of Queen sla n d (Departm en t of En viron m en t a n d Sc ien c e) 2018, a c c essed via QSpatia l Novem b er 2018Matters of state en viron m en ta l sign ific a n c e - Regula ted vegetation - c a tegory B en da n gered or of c on c ern – Queen sla n d (Pub lished 2018/07/26), State of Queen sla n d (Departm en t of En viron m en t a n d Sc ien c e) 2018, a c c essed via QSpatia l Novem b er 2018
Glencore Coal Assets Australia Report
Valeria South Project Environmental Authority Application - Supporting Information Report
Owner: Bronwen Morrison – Approvals Manager Status:
Version:
Final
5
Effective: 22/03/2019 Page 44 of 83
Uncontrolled unless viewed on the intranet
The Mine area and Access road MLAs have been mapped by the Queensland Herbarium as
supporting approximately 1,274 ha of remnant vegetation (EcoSM, 2018), containing
endangered, of concern and least concern Regional Ecosystems (REs) (refer Figure 12 and
Figure 13). Most of the mapped remnant vegetation communities have been identified as
supporting a combination of two or more probable RE types (EcoSM, 2018).
In addition to the above, the EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Report (PMSR) undertaken
for the two MLA areas (EcoSM, 2018) identifies the following four endangered Threatened
Ecological Communities (TECs) as having the potential to occur within the Mine area MLA
(EcoSM, 2018):
Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and co-dominant).
Natural Grasslands of the Queensland Central Highlands and northern Fitzroy Basin.
Semi-evergreen vine thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar
Bioregions.
Weeping Myall Woodlands.
Preliminary field-validation of the RE mapping undertaken in late 2018 of the two MLA areas
confirmed that the area encompasses approximately 1,274 ha of remnant vegetation (refer
Figure 14). The balance of the MLA areas supports cleared or modified vegetation that no
longer has the height or vegetative cover to be classified as remnant under the Vegetation
Management Act 1999 (VM Act). Note that neither the north-western part of the Mine area
MLA nor the possible coal transport corridor to the south, were surveyed during the
preliminary vegetation assessment.
FOURTEEN
THOUSAND
ACCESS RD
FOURTEEN THOUSAND
ACCESS
WHEEL CREEK
KETTLE CREEK
CRYSTAL CREEK
590000 595000
7415
000
7420
000
0 1.5 3
Kilometers
Valeria South ProjectFigure 12 - State Mapped Regional Ecosystems
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LegendValeria South Project MLAsRegistered AccessMDL 219EPC 25396RoadDrainage line
Government Mapped RegionalEcosystems
11.10.111.10.1/11.10.311.10.11/11.9.1/11.10.7/11.10.111.10.1211.10.12/11.10.7/11.10.111.10.12/11.9.111.10.12/11.9.1/11.10.1/11.10.711.10.311.10.3/11.10.1211.10.711.11.111.11.1/11.11.1/11.11.2
11.11.1011.11.211.11.2/11.11.111.11.2/11.11.1/11.11.111.12.211.3.211.3.2/11.3.2511.3.2/11.3.25/11.3.311.3.2/11.3.3/11.3.1/11.3.2511.3.25/11.3.2/11.3.311.4.711.8.1111.8.411.9.111.9.1/11.10.7/11.10.12/11.9.511.9.1/11.10.7/11.5.311.9.511.9.5/11.9.111.9.5/11.9.1/11.10.12Non-remnant vegetation
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55
Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994Map Size: A4 Landscape
Date Created: 15/03/2019
±
Vegetation management regional ecosystem map - version 10.1 (Published 2018/11/05), The State of Queensland (Department of Natural Resources, Mine and Energy) 2018, accessed via QSpatial November 2018
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts - Dept of Environment and Resource Management
© Glencore 2018
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure the quality of theinformation available on this map.
Before relying on the information on this map, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and should obtain anyappropriate professional advice relevant to their
particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumesno responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the
information and by using this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form whatsoever caused
directly or indirectly from the use of this map.
FOURTEEN
THOUSAND
ACRESACCESS RD
FOURTEEN THOUSAND
ACCESS
KETTLE CREEK
CRYS TALCREEK
WHEEL CREEK
585000 590000 595000 600000
7415
000
7420
000
0 0.9 1.8 2.7 3.6
Kilometers
Valeria South ProjectFigure 13 - State Mapped Vegetation Management Status of Regional Ecosystems
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LegendValeria South Project MLAsRegisteredMDL 219EPC 25396RoadDrainage lineNon-remnant vegetation
High Value RegrowthVegetation
EndangeredOf ConcernLeast Concern
Remnant VegetationEndangeredOf ConcernLeast Concern
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure thequality of the information available on this
map.Before relying on the information on thismap, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and shouldobtain any appropriate professional advicerelevant to their particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumes
no responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information and by using
this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form
whatsoever caused directly or indirectly fromthe use of this map.
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology,Innovation and the Arts
- Dept of Environment and ResourceManagement
© Glencore 2018
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55
Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994Map Size: A4 Landscape
Date Created: 14/03/2019
±Vegetation management regional ecosystem map - version 10.1 (Published 2018/11/05), The State of Queensland (Department of Natural Resources, Mine and Energy) 2018, accessed via QSpatial November 2018
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BULLE RYROA D
CAPELLA RUBYVALE ROAD
GREGORY HIGHWAY
FOURTEEN
THOUSAND ACCESS
CAPELLARUBYVALE ROAD
CARBINE CREEK
KETTLE C REEK
CAPELLA CREEK
RETRO CREEK
THERESA CREEK
WHEEL CREEK
CRYSTAL CREEK
GORDONSTONE CREEK
KINGOWER BILLABO NG
FORK LAGOON
ROAD
575000 580000 585000 590000 595000 600000 605000 610000 615000
7410
000
7415
000
7420
000
7425
000
7430
000
7435
000
7440
000
0 2.5 5 7.5 10
Kilometers
Valeria South ProjectFigure 14 - 2012 and 2018 Ecology Survey Effort
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LegendValeria South Project MLAsRegisteredMDL 219EPC 25396RoadRailwayDrainage line
State Mapped VegetationManagement Status of RegionalEcosystems
EndangeredOf ConcernLeast Concern
Field Verified VegetationManagement Status (EcoSM, 2012-2018)
EndangeredOf concernLeast concern
! 2012 Flora Survey Site! 2012 Fauna Survey Site! 2018 Flora Survey Site
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure thequality of the information available on this
map.Before relying on the information on thismap, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and shouldobtain any appropriate professional advicerelevant to their particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumes
no responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information and by using
this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form
whatsoever caused directly or indirectly fromthe use of this map.
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology,Innovation and the Arts
- Dept of Environment and ResourceManagement
© Glencore 2018
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55
Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994Map Size: A4 Landscape
Date Created: 14/03/2019
±Valeria South Vegetation Mapping (EcoSM, 2012, 2018)
Glencore Coal Assets Australia Report
Valeria South Project Environmental Authority Application - Supporting Information Report
Owner: Bronwen Morrison – Approvals Manager Status:
Version:
Final
5
Effective: 22/03/2019 Page 48 of 83
Uncontrolled unless viewed on the intranet
Fewer areas of remnant endangered vegetation were identified in the two MLAs as a result of
the preliminary vegetation assessment than identified on State Government RE mapping.
Further, only one area of remnant of concern vegetation was identified in the Mine area and
Access road MLAs, limited to a drainage basin (EcoSM, 2018) (refer Figure 15 and Figure 16).
Details of the nine REs that were found to comprise remnant vegetation within the Mine area
and Access road MLAs and their associated Broad Vegetation Group (BVG) are presented in
Table 9. Given the high-level nature of the preliminary vegetation assessment, the majority
of remnant vegetation communities within the two MLA areas have also been identified as
supporting a combination of two or more probable RE types (EcoSM, 2018). More detailed
surveys will be undertaken as part of the Project’s environmental impact assessment to
further clarify the location and extent of remnant REs within the Project area.
Table 9 Preliminary Field Validated Regional Ecosystems
RE code Short descriptions BVG Conservation status1
VM Act Biodiversity EPBC Act
11.3.2 Eucalyptus populnea woodland on alluvial plains.
17a Of concern Of concern -
11.3.25 Eucalyptus tereticornis or E.
camaldulensis woodland fringing drainage lines.
16a Least concern Of concern -
11.8.4 Eucalyptus melanophloia open woodland on Cainozoic igneous rocks.
11a Least concern No concern at present
-
11.9.1 Acacia harpophylla - Eucalyptus cambageana woodland to open forest on fine-grained sedimentary rocks.
25a Endangered Endangered Endangered
11.9.5 Acacia harpophylla and/or Casuarina cristata open forest on fine-grained sedimentary rocks.
25a Endangered Endangered Endangered
11.10.1 Corymbia citriodora woodland on coarse-grained sedimentary rocks
10a Least concern No concern at present
-
11.10.3 Acacia catenulata or A. shirleyi open forest on coarse-grained sedimentary rocks. Crests and scarps.
24a Least concern No concern at present
-
11.10.7 Eucalyptus crebra woodland on coarse-grained sedimentary rocks.
12a Least concern No concern at present
-
11.10.13b Corymbia leichhardtii woodland. 12a Least concern No concern at present
-
1. Status: VM Act and Biodiversity status, EPBC Act status only applies if the vegetation meets the key diagnostic criteriaand condition thresholds for the corresponding TEC: - RE 11.9.1 and RE 11.9.5 – Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominantand co-dominant) TEC.
FOURTEEN
THOUSAND
ACCESS RD
FOURTEEN THOUSAND
ACCESS
WHEEL CREEK
KETTLE CREEK
CRYSTAL CREEK
585000 590000 595000
7415
000
7420
000
0 0.9 1.8 2.7 3.6
Kilometers
Valeria South ProjectFigure 15 - Preliminary Field Verified Regional Ecosystems
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LegendValeria South Project MLAsRegistered AccessMDL 219EPC 25396State ForestRoadDrainage line
Field Verified Regional Ecosystems11.10.1211.10.12/11.9.111.10.13b11.10.311.10.3/11.10.1211.10.3/11.10.711.10.3/11.10.7/11.10.111.10.7/11.10.111.10.7/11.10.1/11.10.311.10.7/11.10.311.3.211.3.2511.8.411.9.111.9.1/11.10.311.9.1/11.10.711.9.5
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55
Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994Map Size: A4 Landscape
Date Created: 14/03/2019
±Valeria South Vegetation Mapping (EcoSM, 2018)
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts - Dept of Environment and Resource Management
© Glencore 2018
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure the quality of theinformation available on this map.
Before relying on the information on this map, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and should obtain anyappropriate professional advice relevant to their
particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumesno responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the
information and by using this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form whatsoever caused
directly or indirectly from the use of this map.
FOURTEEN
THOUSAND
ACCESS RD
FOURTEEN THOUSAND
ACCESS
KETTLE CREEK
CRYS TALCREEK
WHEEL CREEK
585000 590000 595000 600000
7415
000
7420
000
0 0.9 1.8 2.7 3.6
Kilometers
Valeria South ProjectFigure 16 - Preliminary Field Verified Vegetation Management Status
Ref: \
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tStatu
s_03
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LegendValeria South Project MLAsRegisteredMDL 219EPC 25396State ForestRoadDrainage line
Field Verified VegetationManagement Status
EndangeredOf concernLeast concern
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure thequality of the information available on this
map.Before relying on the information on thismap, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and shouldobtain any appropriate professional advicerelevant to their particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumes
no responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information and by using
this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form
whatsoever caused directly or indirectly fromthe use of this map.
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology,Innovation and the Arts
- Dept of Environment and ResourceManagement
© Glencore 2018
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55
Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994Map Size: A4 Landscape
Date Created: 14/03/2019
±Valeria South Vegetation Mapping (EcoSM, 2018)
Glencore Coal Assets Australia Report
Valeria South Project Environmental Authority Application - Supporting Information Report
Owner: Bronwen Morrison – Approvals Manager Status:
Version:
Final
5
Effective: 22/03/2019 Page 51 of 83
Uncontrolled unless viewed on the intranet
3.3.1.2 Threatened Ecological Communities
A small polygon of RE 11.9.5 was identified in the north-eastern portion of the Mine area MLA
corresponding with Brigalow TEC (refer Figure 15). Three polygons of RE 11.9.1 were also
mapped in the northern and south-eastern part of the Mine area MLA (refer Figure 16). These
patches contained either no or very low densities of Brigalow and therefore do not represent
the Brigalow TEC under the EPBC Act (EcoSM, 2018).
Similarly, a number of mixed polygons of vegetation that include RE 11.9.1 as a probable
vegetation type were mapped throughout northern and eastern portion of the Mine area MLA.
These communities are also lacking sufficient coverage of Brigalow to be considered as part
of the Brigalow TEC. Given the above, approximately 1.3 ha of Brigalow TEC has been
identified in the Mine area MLA (EcoSM, 2018). No other surveyed vegetation communities
were found to support the structural or floristic characteristics of any other TECs listed under
the EPBC Act.
3.3.1.3 Flora Habitat Values
Desktop Review
There are records for three threatened flora species listed under the EPBC Act and/or Nature
Conservation Act 1992 (Qld) (NC Act) within the search area (25 km radius around the
Project area), as follows:
King Bluegrass (Dichanthium queenslandicum), listed as endangered under the EPBC Act
and vulnerable under the NC Act.
Bertya opponens (no common name), listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act.
Cyperus clarus (no common name), listed as vulnerable under the NC Act.
In addition to the above, the PMSR returned the following four flora species listed under the
NC Act and/or EPBC Act as having the potential to occur in the Project area:
Aristida annua (no common name), listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act and NC Act.
Ooline (Cadellia pentastylis), listed as vulnerable under EPBC Act and NC Act.
Bluegrass (Dichanthium setosum), listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act.
Marsdenia brevifolia (no common name), listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act and NC
Act.
An assessment of the likelihood of the above species of conservation significance to occur in
the Project area will be undertaken as part of the Project’s environmental impact assessment.
None of the remnant vegetation communities mapped by the Queensland Herbarium in the
Project area have been identified as essential habitat for any NC Act listed flora. The Project
area has not been mapped as occurring within a high-risk area on the Protected Plants Flora
Survey Trigger Map (EcoSM, 2018).
Field Survey
One flora species listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act was recorded during the
preliminary field survey of the MLA areas, namely Bertya opponens. Approximately 50
individuals of this species were recorded on the northern edge of a mixed polygon of
vegetation supporting wattle scrubs and occasional eucalypt woodlands. The population was
recorded in Lancewood (Acacia shirleyi) woodland to open forest (RE 11.10.3) at the edge of
Glencore Coal Assets Australia Report
Valeria South Project Environmental Authority Application - Supporting Information Report
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Version:
Final
5
Effective: 22/03/2019 Page 52 of 83
Uncontrolled unless viewed on the intranet
an undulated rise in the central portion of the Mine area MLA (refer Figure 16) (EcoSM,
2018).
No other EPBC Act listed species returned from database searches are considered to have a
moderate or higher likelihood of occurrence based on the lack of habitat and/or records
within the search area (EcoSM, 2018). No NC Act listed species were recorded during the
preliminary field survey. Further, no NC Act listed flora species are considered likely to have a
moderate or higher likelihood of occurrence based on the lack of habitat and/or records
within the search area (EcoSM, 2018).
3.3.1.4 Fauna Habitat Values
Desktop Review
There are records for the following 11 fauna species of conservation significance listed under
the NC Act and/or EPBC Act within the Project search area (EcoSM, 2018):
Birds:
Australian Painted Snipe (Rostratula australis), listed as endangered under the EPBC Act
and vulnerable under the NC Act.
Red Goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiatus), listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act and
endangered under the NC Act.
Squatter Pigeon (southern) (Geophaps scripta scripta), listed as vulnerable in the EPBC
Act and NC Act.
Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda), listed as vulnerable under the NC Act.
Mammals:
Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus), listed as endangered under the EPBC Act.
Greater Glider (Petauroides volans), listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act and NC Act.
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), listed as vulnerable and the EPBC Act and NC Act.
Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), listed as special least concern under the
NC Act.
Reptiles:
Ornamental Snake (Denisonia maculata), listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act and NC
Act.
Yakka Skink (Egernia rugosa), listed as vulnerable as the EPBC Act and NC Act.
Golden-tailed Gecko (Strophurus taenicauda), listed as near threatened under the NC Act.
In addition to the above, the PMSR returned the following nine threatened fauna species
listed under the NC Act and/or EPBC Act as having the potential to occur in the Project area:
Birds:
Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act.
Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda ruficauda), listed as endangered under the EPBC Act and
NC Act.
Southern Black-throated Finch (Poephila cinta cinta), listed as endangered under the
EPBC Act and NC Act.
Painted Honeyeater (Grantiella picta), listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act and NC
Act.
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Mammals:
Large-eared Pied Bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri), listed as vulnerable NC Act and EPBC Act.
Corben’s Long-eared Bat (Nyctophilus corbeni), listed as vulnerable NC Act and EPBC Act.
Reptiles:
Allan’s Lerista (Lerista allanae), listed as endangered EPBC Act and NC Act.
Collared Delma (Delma torquata), listed as vulnerable EPBC Act and NC Act.
Dunmall’s Snake (Furina dunmalli), listed as vulnerable EPBC Act and NC Act.
An assessment of the likelihood for the above species of conservation significance to occur in
the Project area will be undertaken as part of the Project’s environmental impact assessment.
Field Survey
During the preliminary field assessment, the vegetation communities within the Mine area
MLA were found to support a diversity of habitat features including:
A variety of tree, shrub and groundcover species that provide a range of forage and
roosting resources.
Hollow bearing trees that provide denning resources.
Emergent trees on the crest of rises and low hills that provide opportunity for nesting
resources (e.g. raptors).
Rocky outcrops with overhangs, nooks and cracks.
Deep leaf litter layer.
Fallen timber and coarse woody debris.
Habitats within the Mine area MLA have the potential to support threatened fauna
populations. No threatened fauna species listed under the EPBC Act were recorded during the
preliminary field survey. However, the following species have been assessed as potentially
occurring in the Mine area MLA (EcoSM, 2018).
Northern Quoll (low to moderate) - suitable habitat (i.e. rocky escarpments) is present in
the Mine area MLA and the species has been recorded within 25 km of the Project area.
However, the Atlas of Living Australia database indicates the record for this species within
the search area is a preserved specimen from Mt Ball, approximately 21 km west of the
Project area, dated 1975.
Greater Glider (low to moderate) – the area of RE 11.3.25 within the Access road MLA
provides potential habitat for this species. However, this vegetation has been reduced to
a fragmented and sometimes extremely narrow fringing band.
Koala (moderate to high) – suitable habitat present in the form of remnant woodlands
dominated by preferred habitat trees (i.e. species in the Eucalyptus, Corymbia,
Angophora, Melaleuca and Lophostemon). Areas supporting REs 11.3.2, 11.3.25, 11.8.4,
11.9.1, 11.10.1 and 11.10.7 were found to be dominated by habitat trees and therefore
have the potential to be used by Koalas. Areas of REs 11.9.5, 11.10.13b and most
distributions of RE 11.10.3 were found to support lower densities or no Koala habitat
trees and therefore are less likely to provide habitat for this species.
Collared Delma (low to moderate) - there is suitable habitat for this species in the form of
Eucalypt dominated woodlands on landzones 9 and 10. However, there are no records for
this species in the search area.
Dunmall’s Snake (low to moderate) - there is suitable habitat for this species in the form
of Brigalow communities and Eucalypt woodlands on landzones 9 and 10. However, there
are no records for this species in the search area.
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Yakka Skink (low to moderate) - there are some areas of rocky habitat associated with
undulated rises and jump-ups in the Mine area MLA. A reasonable cover of fallen woody
debris was observed in some of the vegetation communities during the preliminary field
survey, particularly Lancewood woodland (RE 11.10.3) and breakaways into drainage
corridors supporting Eucalypt woodlands (RE 11.10.7).
The Short-beaked Echidna is the only species listed solely under the NC Act that has been
assessed as having a moderate to high likelihood of occurring in the Project area and is
recorded in database searches (EcoSM, 2018). This species occurs in a wide range of habitats
including grazing land and is likely to occur throughout the Project area. However, areas of
remnant vegetation are likely to be of greater habitat value for this species due to the
presence of logs and leaf litter.
The Fork-tailed Swift is the only bird species listed as migratory under the EPBC Act and
special least concern under the NC Act, assessed as having a moderate likelihood of
occurrence in the Project area (EcoSM, 2018). This species is a non-breeding migrant to
Australia, but there is the potential for it overfly the Project area during broader movements
throughout the landscape.
Habitats within the Project area are considered generally unsuitable for the remaining
migratory birds returned from the database searches, due to the lack of vegetated wetlands
and aquatic habitats, closed and wet sclerophyll forests and complex riparian communities
(EcoSM, 2018). Detailed fauna surveys will be undertaken during the Project’s environmental
impact assessment to confirm the presence/absence of the species discussed above and/or
suitable habitat in the Project area.
3.3.1.5 Matters of National and State Environmental Significance
The following MNES have been identified in the PMSR as occurring or having the potential to
occur within the Mine area MLA:
TECs comprising 1.3 ha of the Brigalow TEC in the form of RE 11.9.5 in the northern
portion of the MLA.
Threatened species in the form of:
o A population of Bertya opponens, in the central portion of the MLA.
o Potential habitat for six threatened fauna species.
Migratory species in the form of potential overfly habitat for the Fork-tailed Swift.
The following MSES have been identified or have the potential to occur within the two MLA
areas (EcoSM, 2018):
Regulated vegetation in the form of:
o 36.9 ha of remnant endangered REs consisting of:
9.2 ha of RE 11.9.1.
23.4 ha of RE11.9.1/RE 11.10.3 (85/15 combination).
3.0 ha of RE 11.9.1/RE 11.10.7 (85/15 combination).
1.3 ha of RE 11.9.5.
o 4.0 ha of remnant of concern RE 11.3.2.
Watercourse REs consisting of:
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o 3.3 ha of remnant endangered vegetation consisting of 1.4 ha of RE 11.9.1 and
1.9 ha of RE 11.9.1/11.10.3 (85/15) within 25 m of the defining bank of 1st
stream order watercourses.
o 1.4 ha of remnant of concern vegetation (RE 11.3.2) within 25 m of the defining
bank of 1st and 2nd stream order watercourses.
o 47.3 ha of remnant least concern vegetation within 25 m of the defining bank of
first and second stream order watercourses (i.e. 4.4 ha of 11.10.13b, 27.2 ha of
11.10.3/11.10.7/11.10.1, 2.3 ha of 11.10.7/11.10.1, 11.8 ha of
11.10.7/11.10.1/11.10.3 and 1.6 ha of RE 11.3.25).
Essential habitat for Ornamental Snake identified by State mapping within the Mine area
MLA. However, the preliminary field surveys have indicated that suitable habitat for this
species is unlikely to be present.
Special least concern fauna in the form of potential habitat for the Short-beaked Echidna
and migratory birds.
3.3.1.6 Aquatic Ecology
There are no State Government-mapped MSES fish habitat areas, high ecological significance
wetlands or high ecological value waters or wetlands in the Mine area MLA or immediate
surrounds. In addition, there are no wetland management areas or directory of important
wetlands State-mapped as occuring in the Mine area.
State mapping shows a number of terrestrial GDEs occurring in the Mine area MLA. The
Access road MLA crosses Crystal Creek and its tributary, associated with remnant RE with 1-
50% wetland component. There are no mapped lacustrine, palustrine or riverine wetlands in
the Mine area MLA, with the closest of these being associated with Kettle Creek and Retreat
Creek to the south, and downstream of the Access road MLA on a tributary of Crystal Creek.
There are no State-mapped subterranean or surface expression GDEs or springs occurring in
the Mine area MLA or surrounds. There are no vegetation management wetlands or Wetland
Protection Areas mapped within the Mine area MLA or surrounds (refer Figure 17).
580000 585000 590000 595000 600000 605000
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Valeria South ProjectFigure 17 - Wetlands, Springs and Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems
Ref: \\ausydsrvc5590\OperationsGIS\Valeria GIS\03.MapDocuments\EA\20190314_EA_GDEs_05.mxd
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W etla n dsLa c ustrin ePa lustrin eRiverin eRem n a n t region a l ecosystem s1-50% wetla n ds (m osa ic un its)W etla n ds on the vegetationm a n a gem en t wetla n ds m a p
Class of Groun dwater Depen den tEc osystem
Sub terra n ea n (c a ves a n da quifers) GDESurfa c e expression GDETerrestria l GDE
DISCLAIM ERSub jec t To Survey
Glen c ore m a kes every effort to en sure thequa lity of the in form a tion a va ila b le on thism a p.Before relyin g on the in form ation on thism a p, users should c a refully eva lua te its a c c ura c y, c urren c y, com pleten ess a n dreleva n c e for their purposes, a n d shouldob ta in a n y a ppropria te profession a l a dvic ereleva n t to their pa rtic ula r c irc um sta n c es. Glen c ore c a n n ot gua ra n tee a n d assum esn o respon sib ility for the a c c ura c y, c urren c y or com pleten ess of the in form a tion a n d b y usin gthis m a p you a c c ept that Glen c ore has n o lia b ility for a n y loss or da m a ge in a n y form whatsoever c a used direc tly or in direc tly from
the use of this m a p.© Sta te of Queen sla n d 2018
- Dept of Natura l Resourc es a n d M in es - Dept of Sc ien c e, In form a tion Tec hn ology,
In n ova tion a n d the Arts - Dept of En viron m en t a n d Resourc e
M a n a gem en t© Glen c ore 2018
Coordin a te System :GDA 1994 M GA Zon e 55
Projec tion : Tra n sverse M erc a torDatum : GDA 1994M a p Size: A4 La n dsc a pe
Date Crea ted: 15/03/2019
±Groun dwater depen den t ec osystem s a n d poten tia l a quifer m a ppin g - Queen sla n d (Pub lished 2018/05/28), State of Queen sla n d (Depa rtm en t of En viron m en t a n d Sc ien c e) 2018, a c c essed via QSpa tia l Novem b er 2018V egeta tion m a n a gem en t wetla n ds m a p - version 4.7 (Pub lished 2018/11/05), The State of Queen sla n d (Depa rtm en t of Na tura l Resourc es, M in e a n d En ergy) 2018, a c c essed via QSpa tia l Novem b er 2018.W etla n d m a ppin g — Rub yva le 100K m a p tile — 8451, W etla n dIn fo, Depa rtm en t of En viron m en t a n d Sc ien c e, Queen sla n d, viewed 3 Dec em b er 2018, <https://wetla n din fo.des.qld.gov.a u/wetla n ds/fa c ts-m a ps/tile-100k-rub yva le/>En viron m en t a n d Sc ien c e, Queen sla n d Govern m en t, Sprin gs data b a se, lic en sed un der Crea tive Com m on s Attrib ution 4.0 sourc ed on 3 Dec em b er 2018
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3.3.2 Emissions and Releases
There are no planned emissions or releases from the Project to terrestrial or aquatic
ecosystems that would impact on environmental values.
3.3.3 Potential Impacts and Management Practices
If unmitigated or unmanaged, the following Project activities could have the potential to
impact on ecological environmental values:
Clearing for infrastructure development, resulting in vegetation and habitat loss, and
fragmentation.
Unplanned releases of sediment and contaminants to waterways resulting in a decline in
aquatic habitat values.
Unplanned releases of contaminants to soil, resulting in degradation of surrounding
vegetation and habitat.
Excessive dust generation and deposition resulting in degradation of habitation and
reduced vegetation growth.
Introduction and/or spread of weed and feral animal species resulting in degradation of
habitat, increased competition and decline in local native populations.
Wet and dry season terrestrial and aquatic ecological surveys and an assessment of GDEs will
be undertaken for the Project’s environmental impact assessment to better understand the
local and regional ecology and potential impacts.
Glencore has extensive experience in Queensland managing coal mining operations in an
environmentally responsible manner. Therefore, the potential impacts identified on ecological
values will be avoided or appropriately mitigated or managed, as will be outlined in the
Project’s environmental impact assessment report. Mitigation and management measures
could include:
Pre-clearance ecological survey and fauna spotter-catcher involvement.
Staged clearing of vegetation to minimise extent of disturbance area at any one time.
Restriction of vehicle and machinery access to areas approved for disturbance only.
Preferential location of infrastructure in areas historically cleared of vegetation.
Rehabilitation of disturbed areas no longer needed for operation of the Project as soon as
practicable.
Appropriate weed and pest species management.
Installation of erosion and sediment controls and informed planning of construction work
through watercourses to minimise impacts on aquatic ecosystems.
3.3.3.1 Offsets
Subject to Project impact assessment, significant impacts to MNES under the Commonwealth
EPBC Act may require biodiversity offsets. In addition, significant residual impacts to
prescribed environmental matters (PEM) may also need to be offset under the Queensland
Environmental Offsets Act 2014 (EO Act) (DES, 2016a; 2018c). These include MSES listed in
Schedule 2 of the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014, accredited MNES under the EPBC
Act, and Matters of Local Environmental Significance.
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Wet and dry season terrestrial and aquatic ecological surveys will be undertaken to identify
environmental values of the Project area and surrounds. Field-verified data for MNES and
PEM will be used in impact assessment to determine whether the Project will result in
significant or significant residual impacts under the EPBC Act and EO Act respectively, and
whether biodiversity offsets will be required.
3.3.4 Risk Assessment
Assessment of the risk of adverse impacts occurring to ecological environmental values will
consider:
The magnitude, relative size or actual extent of any impact in relation to the
environmental value being affected.
The severity of any adverse effect or the scale of any beneficial outcome.
The duration of any effect.
An indication of the level of uncertainty of impacts and any assumptions used to address
the uncertainty in any of the data or proposed commitments to protect the environmental
values.
The above factors and associated level of risk to ecological environmental values will be
determined in the Project’s environmental impact assessment.
Surface Water 3.4
3.4.1 Description of Environmental Values
3.4.1.1 Watercourses and Uses
The Project area lies in the Lower Nogoa/Theresa Creek sub-basin in the central section of
the Fitzroy Basin, which is the largest river catchment that flows to the eastern coast of
Australia (4T, 2018). All surface flows from the Project area eventually flow into Theresa
Creek then into the Nogoa River. Kettle and Crystal Creeks are the receiving waterways for
surface run off from the Mine area MLA. The Access road MLA crosses Crystal Creek and one
of its tributaries. Fork Lagoon Road (potentially part of the coal transport corridor) crosses
Kettle Creek and Retreat Creek to the south. Wheel Creek and tributaries are not considered
connected to the catchment of the Project area due to topographical separation of the two
(refer Figure 18).
All streams within the Project area are highly ephemeral, with flow only occurring following
episodic rainfall events. During the wet season, median flows through Theresa Creek are 242
ML/day but can be as great as 13,503 ML/day. Outside the wet season, creeks are typically
dry (4T, 2018).
RETREATCREEK
KETTLECREEK
CARBINECREEK
RETREATCREE
K
THERESACREEK
W HEELCREEK
THERESACREEK
CRY STALCREEK
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A
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ROAD
FO URTEEN THO USAND
ACCESS
BULLERYRO AD
FO RKLAGO O NRO AD
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Legen dMLA 6MLA 7Registered Ac c essMDL 219EPC 25396Poten tia l Flood Exten t
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DISCLAIMERSub jec t To Survey
Glen c ore m a kes every effort to en sure thequa lity of the in form a tion a va ila b le on thism a p.Before relyin g on the in form ation on thism a p, users should c arefully eva lua te its a c c ura c y, c urren c y, com pleten ess a n dreleva n c e for their purposes, a n d shouldob ta in a n y a ppropria te profession a l a dvic ereleva n t to their partic ula r c irc um sta n c es. Glen c ore c a n n ot gua ra n tee a n d assum esn o respon sib ility for the a c c ura c y, c urren c y or com pleten ess of the in form a tion a n d b y usin gthis m ap you a c c ept that Glen c ore has n o lia b ility for a n y loss or da m a ge in a n y form whatsoever c a used directly or in direc tly from
the use of this m a p.© Sta te of Queen sla n d 2018
- Dept of Natura l Resourc es a n d Min es - Dept of Sc ien c e, In form a tion Tec hn ology,
In n ova tion a n d the Arts - Dept of En viron m en t a n d Resourc e
Ma n a gem en t© Glen c ore 2018
Coordin a te System :GDA 1994 MGA Zon e 55
Projec tion : Tra n sverse Merc a torDatum : GDA 1994Map Size: A4 La n dsc a pe
Date Created: 14/03/2019
±O rdered dra in a ge 100K - Queen sla n d - b y area of in terest – Queen sla n d (Pub lished 2017/06/23), State of Queen sla n d (Departm en t of Natura l Resourc es, Min es a n d En ergy) 2018, a c c essed via QSpatia l Novem b er 2018Queen sla n d floodpla in assessm en t overla y (Pub lished 2013/10/17), State of Queen sla n d (Queen sla n d Rec on struc tion Authority) 2018, a c c essed via QSpatia l Novem b er 2018
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The Lower Nogoa/Theresa Creek sub-basin has multiple uses that rely on surface water for
economic and recreational purposes, for which the EPP Water assigns the following
environmental values:
Aquatic ecosystem - high ecological value to moderately disturbed.
Irrigation - only in developed areas.
Farm supply - only in developed areas, suitability of domestic farm water supply, other
than drinking water.
Stock water.
Human consumption of fish and crustaceans.
Primary recreation - recreation involving direct contact with the water.
Secondary recreation - recreation involving indirect contact with the water.
Visual recreation - recreation involving the water but with no direct contact.
Drinking water - suitable for raw drinking water supply.
Industrial use - only in developed areas.
Cultural and spiritual values.
The receiving waterways of the Mine area MLA are considered to be minor waterways in the
headwaters of the Fitzroy River, and as such receive relatively little flow. Within Kettle and
Crystal Creeks there is insufficient flow to support significant irrigation or industrial use,
drinking water (other than for individual homesteads) or direct/indirect forms of recreation.
The EPP Water assigns Lower Nogoa and Theresa Creek tributaries a number of Water Quality
Objectives (WQOs) that are intended to protect moderately disturbed aquatic ecosystems.
Site-specific WQOs will be developed for the Project as part of the environmental impact
assessment to be undertaken.
3.4.1.2 Flooding and Water Quality
Floods have occurred in the region in the 1950s, 1990 and more recently in 2008, 2010 and
2016. In recent floods, Theresa Creek waters breached the stream banks and inundated a
significant area (4T, 2018). There is no publically available information on the extent of
inundation of the Project area during these events.
Figure 18 present the DNRME flood assessment overlay for the area, indicating that the pit,
MIA, dumps and other primary Project infrastructure are located outside the flood extent. The
Access road MLA across Crystal Creek is just outside the extent of the flood assessment
overlay. Flow data from the DNRME Theresa Creek – Valeria monitoring point located north-
west of the Project area (lat: 231109S, long: 1475350E) indicates that higher flows and risk
of flooding occurs between December and May (4T, 2018).
Water quality data is available for Theresa Creek to the north-west and some distance
downstream, from two DNRME gauges (Theresa Creek – Gregory Highway Crossing point
next to the Gregory Highway (lat: 232560S, long: 1480900E) and the Theresa Creek –
Valeria monitoring point identified above). However, due to their locations, results from these
gauges are not directly relevant to the Project. Surface water monitoring will be undertaken
immediately up and downstream of the Project area as part of the environmental impact
assessment.
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3.4.1.3 Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems
No springs have been identified in or around the Project area in the Queensland Government
Springs Database (4t, 2018). No important wetlands have been identified within the Project
area as mapped in the Queensland Government inventory of importance wetlands (refer
Figure 17).
As discussed in Section 3.3.1.6, State Government-mapping shows a number of terrestrial
GDEs occurring in the Mine area MLA, some being associated with drainage lines, and one
area of remnant RE with 1-50% wetland component. State mapping also identifies this RE as
occurring in the vicinity of Crystal Creek and its tributaries within the Access road MLA.
There are no State-mapped subterranean or surface expression GDEs occurring in the Mine
area or surrounds (refer Figure 17). GDEs will be assessed as part of the additional ecology,
surface and groundwater work to be undertaken for the Project environmental impact
assessment, taking into account regulatory guidelines including the Independent Expert
Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development’s (IESC)
Information Guidelines explanatory note – Assessing groundwater-dependent ecosystems
(2019).
3.4.2 Emissions and Releases
The activities to be carried out for the Project do not involve any planned emissions or
releases to surface waters. There is no proposed release of mine affected water to
watercourses, with this water proposed to be reused on site.
3.4.3 Potential Impacts and Management Practices
Overall water usage for the Project is estimated at between 150 and 200 MLpa, proposed to
be primarily supplied through groundwater bore yield. To supplement water supply, a dam
(<50ML) will be considered, likely to be located in an area of higher elevation to catch
overland flow but without significantly impacting on any of the stream order 1 drainage lines
or downstream watercourses. An additional turkey’s nest dam (approximate capacity of 50
ML) will be required near the MIA to hold transfer water, piped from the dam or groundwater
bores. Under the Water Act 2000, the Water Plan (Fitzroy Basin) 2011 regulates capture and
use of overland flow water and the Project may require a water licence if the dam described
above is determined to be capturing overland flow.
Proposed creek crossings will comprise either culverts or bridges depending on the steepness
of the embankments, surrounding topography, and vehicle and weight loading specifications.
Other watercourse crossings proposed for use may require upgrading depending on
conditions of existing infrastructure.
If unmitigated or unmanaged, there is potential for the Project to impact on surface water
through reduction of surface water flow resulting from groundwater drawdown, modification
of the local flood regime and release of contaminants (DES, 2017c). Glencore has extensive
experience in Queensland managing coal mining operations in an environmentally responsible
manner. Therefore, the potential impacts identified on surface water values will be avoided or
appropriately mitigated or managed as will be outlined within the Project’s environmental
impact assessment report.
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3.4.3.1 Reduction in Base Flow
Reduction in base flow of watercourses within the Project area and surrounds can result from
drawdown in groundwater levels resulting from water bore extraction and inflow into the pit.
This can have impacts on the functionally of the watercourse and associated WQOs, and
ecological values. The potential impacts of groundwater drawdown is discussed in Section
3.5.
3.4.3.2 Surface Water and Flood Studies
As part of the Project environmental impact assessment, a survey will be undertaken of the
Project area to define the following:
Environmental values, baseline water quality, baseline stream flow conditions and
baseline flood conditions of the surface water.
Geomorphic, hydrologic/hydraulic and environmental features of the major drainage
features and overland flow paths.
Creek channel stability at proposed linear infrastructure crossing or upgrade locations.
Field verification of whether the surface water systems met the definition of ‘watercourse’
under the Water Act 2000 and DNRME requirements.
Results of the survey will be used to determine the potential impacts on surface water that
may result from the Project. The survey results will also inform watercourse crossing design,
surface water management measures to be implemented on site, and provide input into the
flood assessment.
A flood assessment will be required where Project activities and infrastructure has the
potential to impact on local flood behaviour. Hydrologic and hydraulic flood models may be
developed to represent the catchment areas, land-use and flow paths as well as modifications
to topography or hydraulic structures associated with the Project (e.g. dams, bunds,
transport route creek crossings, etc.). Design events (e.g. 100 and 1,000-year Annual
Exceedance Probability (AEP)) for a number of mine scenarios (e.g. maximum impact) as well
as for the access and coal transport routes will be simulated to assess the level of impact
associated with changes to the catchment and floodplain that may result from the Project.
A surface water monitoring program will be implemented upstream and downstream of the
Mine area MLA on Kettle and Crystal Creeks. The scope of the monitoring will be defined once
the surface water field survey is complete, with potential gauge locations selected during the
survey. In addition, monitoring will be undertaken to verify the operation of the site water
management system and that the water balance models are accurate.
3.4.3.3 Site Water Management
A site water balance assessment will be undertaken to identify whether the Project will
operate in a surplus or deficit, and provide a clear understanding of future water
management issues. The site water balance assessment will:
Document the location and purpose of required water infrastructure including dams as
well as the alignment of clean water catchment diversions, water pipelines etc.
Define catchment and land use for various stages of the mine progression in addition to
the final closure landform.
Include the development of a site water balance model that incorporates the catchments
and Project water management system.
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A site water management system will be designed to ensure water moves across the site in a
controlled manner and at non-erosive flow velocities. Management of construction activities
will consider natural drainage lines, where water could pool and channel, potentially creating
fast flow paths and resultant gully erosion. Erosion and sediment control measures will be
implemented for the Project as required.
The site water management system will separate clean and dirty storm water with clean
water to be diverted around disturbed land wherever practicable. Clean water catchment
diversions will be sized based on design flood estimates and stable drainage landform design
approaches. Stormwater diversion channels will divert clean water away from disturbed areas
in order to reduce the amount of potentially contaminated water which must be contained.
Dirty water (i.e. stormwater that has come in contact with disturbed land surfaces) will be
contained and collected within the site. Sediment Control Dams (SCDs) will serve to collect
and contain direct rainfall and runoff from disturbed areas including the OOP dump surfaces
and surrounds. Once suspended solids have settled out in the SCDs, water will be pumped
out and used for on-site activities at the MIA and for dust suppression.
Water storages for the Project will be designed, constructed and managed in accordance with
the DES documents ‘Manual for assessing consequences categories and hydraulic
performance of structures’ (ESR/2016/1933) and ‘Structures which are dams or levees
constructed as part of environmentally relevant activities’ (DES, 2016b; 2017d) to mitigate
against unplanned releases from water storage structures.
A consequence category assessment will be undertaken where required for proposed water
storage infrastructure to identify whether the Project will involve any new regulated
structures. The assessment will be based on the expected location, configuration, nature of
the contents and other relevant aspects of the structures. As required by the DES Manual
referenced above, all regulated structures will be recorded on a Project register.
3.4.3.4 Final Void
It is unclear at this stage whether the Project will leave a final void after rehabilitation is
complete. If a final void is proposed, an assessment of the final void hydrology and water
quality characteristics for the Project will be undertaken to determine the suitability of the
void water quality for the proposed post-mining land use(s). VS intends that any final void
resulting from the Project will be able to support a post-mining land use, so as not to
constitute a Non-Use Management Area (NUMA). The above information will feed into the
rehabilitation planning included in the PRCP (refer Section 3.8).
3.4.4 Risk Assessment
Assessment of the risk of adverse impacts occurring to surface water environmental values
will consider:
The magnitude, relative size or actual extent of any impact in relation to the
environmental value being affected.
The severity of any adverse effect or the scale of any beneficial outcome.
The duration of any effect.
An indication of the level of uncertainty of impacts and any assumptions used to address
the uncertainty in any of the data or proposed commitments to protect the environmental
values.
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The above factors and associated level of risk to surface water environmental values will be
determined during the Project’s environmental impact assessment.
Groundwater 3.5
3.5.1 Proposal to Exercise Underground Water Rights
VS is proposing to exercise underground water rights associated with mining activities during
the LOM.
As required by Chapter 3 of the Water Act 2000, an Underground Water Impact Report
(UWIR) for the Project will be developed and submitted to the regulator prior to the exercise
of underground water rights (DES, 2017e). The UWIR will be developed from the impact
assessment to be undertaken for the Project and will describe, make predictions about, and
assist in managing the impacts of underground water extraction resulting from the Project.
The UWIR will:
Identify aquifers that may potentially be impacted by the Project, both in immediately
affected areas and long-term affected areas.
Nominate obligations to monitor impacts on aquifers and springs, and provide a strategy
and processes to mitigate any predicted impacts.
Establish underground water obligations including ‘make good’ obligations of VS for
private water bores (including surrounding landholder bores).
In addition, the Project will obtain a water authorisation as required under the Water Act
2000 before extracting non-associated groundwater (i.e. water that is not necessarily and
unavoidably obtained in the process of extracting a resource) for use in mining related
activities.
3.5.2 Description of the Area in which Underground Water Rights are Proposed to be Exercised
As required by s126A of the EP Act, the area in which underground water rights for the
Project are proposed to be exercised is described in Section 1.3 and Section 3.2.1 above.
Section 1.3 includes tables of GPS coordinates for the Project and Figure 1 shows the location
of the Project area. Figures 2 and 3 show the proposed mine plan and project staging.
Section 3.2.1 provides information on tenure, planning, land use of the Project area.
3.5.3 Groundwater Environmental Values
The EPP Water assigns the groundwater of the Fitzroy Basin various environmental values
based on groundwater quality and users. The Project is within a ‘Lower Nogoa Groundwaters’
zone that is considered to be an alluvial sequence with low-moderate salinity and balanced
cations, bicarbonate and chloride. Environmental values for Lower Nogoa Groundwaters
comprise:
Aquatic ecosystem.
Irrigation.
Farm supply.
Stock water.
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Primary Recreation.
Drinking water.
Industrial.
Cultural and spiritual values.
These will be confirmed for the Project area during the environmental impact assessment.
As shown on Figure 17, there are no springs mapped in the State Government databases as
occurring in the Mine area or surrounds (i.e. map extent). Section 3.3.1.6 describes the
aquatic ecology of the area.
3.5.3.1 Existing Bores
A census of bores on 13 properties, including ‘Fork Lagoon’ and ‘Jaydena’, as well as other
properties on and adjacent to MDL219, were undertaken in 2013. The census showed that
the bores are predominantly located within the alluvium of Kettle, Carbine or Theresa Creeks
and used for stock water (4T, 2018) (refer Figure 19).
Information recorded during the census included bore location, elevation, structural details of
the bore, and water use. Groundwater levels and water quality parameters (pH, electrical
conductivity, and total dissolved solids) were measured where possible. Information from the
landholder, such as drilling logs, bore depths, and date drilled were also documented.
Additional limited exploration drilling has been undertaken across the area since the bore
census was carried out in 2013 (4T, 2018). In summary, local landholders whose properties
are not located on the alluvium of Kettle, Carbine or Theresa Creeks generally rely on surface
water storages for stock watering.
Other than landholder bores, 23 groundwater monitoring bores were drilled in and around
MDL219 by Rio Tinto in 2012 (refer Figure 19). Some monitoring bores had been drilled in
the MDL at an earlier time. Multiple landholder bores in or close by the Mine area MLA
subsequently had data loggers installed.
Previous reports concluded that the standing water level across all units has a declining trend
over the monitoring period, which correlates well with a declining cumulative rainfall
departure, i.e. a period of below average rainfall (4T, 2018). The bores which screen alluvial
sediments respond to periods of more intense rainfall compared to most Permian and
basement bores.
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Valeria South ProjectRe
f: \\au
syds
rvc55
90\O
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IS\Va
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Figure 19 - Groundwater Bores in the Project Area and Surrounds
0 2 4 6 8
Kilometers
© State of Queensland 2018 - Dept of Natural Resources and Mines
- Dept of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts - Dept of Environment and Resource Management
© Glencore 2018
DISCLAIMERSubject To Survey
Glencore makes every effort to ensure the quality of theinformation available on this map.
Before relying on the information on this map, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and
relevance for their purposes, and should obtain anyappropriate professional advice relevant to their
particular circumstances. Glencore cannot guarantee and assumesno responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the
information and by using this map you accept that Glencore has no liability for any loss or damage in any form whatsoever caused
directly or indirectly from the use of this map.
LegendValeria South ProjectMLAsRegistered AccessMDL 219EPC 25396
State ForestRoadRailwayDrainage line
CBGreater ValeriaGroundwaterMonitoring Bore
CB Historic MonitoringBore
CB RegisteredLandholder Bore
Coordinate System:GDA 1994 MGA Zone 55Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994
Map Size: A4 PortraitDate Created: 14/03/2019
±
Rio Tinto Groundwater Drilling Program (2012); Australasian Groundwater & Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd (2013); 4T (2018)
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3.5.3.2 Water Quality Objectives
WQOs for Fitzroy Basin groundwater have been determined in accordance with the applicable
chemistry zone and depth category of drilling. The Project is located within zone 13 on the
EPP Water Central Queensland Map Series WQ1310 – Fitzroy Basin Groundwater Zones
(Basin 130) for which the EPP Water assigns the WQOs listed in Table 10 (4T, 2018). Bores
utilised by local landholders are usually less than 20 m deep with unconfined/semi-confined
water levels between 3 and 5 m deep (4T, 2018).
Table 10 Water Quality Objectives for the Project Groundwater
Parameter Shallow (<30m) Deep (>30m)
20th % 50th % 80th % 20th % 50th % 80th %
pH 7.5 8 8.3 7.5 7.9 8.2
Electrical conductivity (µs/cm)
630 1150 2509 720 1256 1950
Hardness (mg/L as CaCO3) 145 350 650 136 326 540
Alkalinity (mg/L) 249 409 626 262 355 560
Calcium (mg/L) 21 40 73 21 40 72
Magnesium (mg/L) 21 54 119 15 51 88
Sodium (mg/L) 56 135 326 75 139 279
Chloride (mg/L) 30 110 400 54 141 327
Sulfate (mg/L) 5 24 125 8 25 67
HCO3 (mg/L) 295 490 754 315 429 673
NO3 (mg/L) 0.5 3 16.39 0 1 4.93
SiO2 (mg/L) 28 46 60 18 37 56
Flouride (mg/L) 0.2 0.31 0.594 0.157 0.2 0.37
Iron (mg/L) 0 0.01 0.04 0 0.02 0.09
Mangenese (mg/L) 0 0.01 0.02 0 0.01 0.04
Zinc (mg/L) 0 0.015 0.05 0.01 0.035 0.135
Copper (mg/L) 0 0.01 0.03 0 0.01 0.035
Sodium absorption ratio 1.6 3.15 7.01 2 3..50 8.96
Residual alkaline hazard (meq/L)
0.3 1.79 4.08 0.51 2.23 3.98
Redox potential (mV) ID
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3.5.4 Description of Aquifers, Potential Area of Decline and Potential Groundwater Movement
Based on the geology of the area, a number of aquifer types are understood to occur in the
Mine area MLA. Figure 20 provides a geological cross section of the relative positions of the
aquifer types discussed below. The occurrence of these aquifer types and potential for the
Project to impact these will be determined during the Project environmental impact
assessment.
3.5.4.1 Alluvial
Groundwater flow within the alluvium of Kettle and Crystal Creeks is likely to be restricted to
the coarser sediments such as gravels and sands. Recharge to these sand and gravel lenses
could be expected to occur mainly from seasonal surface water flows. Seepage could occur
downwards through the bed and banks of the creeks when flowing. In addition, infiltration
may occur from the ground surface of the alluvium after sustained rainfall events (4T, 2018).
Vertical infiltration generally moves downwards until intersecting the saturated aquifer where
it then joins the down valley groundwater flow to the east (4T, 2018).
Where sand aquifers are in contact with underlying permeable rocks, groundwater can move
either vertically down into the underlying formation or vertically upwards from the underlying
formation depending on the relative hydraulic head difference between the aquifers. The
saturated alluvium crosses both the Reids Dome Beds and the Aldebaran Sandstone, both of
which contain aquifers generally associated with the coal seams (4T, 2018). The potential
interconnectivity of these aquifer systems and whether nearby creeks act as losing or gaining
streams seasonally will be investigated.
3.5.4.2 Regolith and Basalt
As a result of long periods of weathering of the exposed land surface, significant areas of
regolith have formed in and around the Project area, particularly to the east and north-east.
The material is thought to be predominantly fine grained, showing significant lateral
variation, and is located in elevated positions. These factors, together with the low average
rainfall, means that it is unlikely that permanent aquifers will be present within these shallow
deposits (4T, 2018).
Basalt flows can form extensive and sustainable aquifers when the conditions for placement
are present. In the Mine area MLA there are only small areas of remnant Tertiary basalt with
the main feature being a sinuous range of north-south basalt hills which almost bisects the
area (4T, 2018). There are no known landholder bores sourcing groundwater from either the
regolith or basalt deposits in the Mine area or surrounds.
Valeria South ProjectFigure 20 - Geological Section of Relative Aquifer Positions
Ref: \\AUSYDSRVC5590\OperationsGIS\Valeria GIS\03.MapDocuments\EA\20190315_EA_Aquifers_01.mxd
DISCLAIMERSu bjec t To Su rvey
Glencore m akes every effort to ensu re th equ ality of th e inform ation available on th ism ap.Before relying on the inform ation on th ism ap, u sers shou ld carefu lly evalu ate its ac c u racy, c u rrency, com pleteness andrelevance for their pu rposes, and shou ldobtain any appropriate professional ad vicerelevant to th eir partic u lar c irc u m stances. Glencore cannot g u arantee and assu m esno responsibility for th e ac c u racy, c u rrency or com pleteness of th e inform ation and by u singth is m ap you ac cept th at Glencore h as no liability for any loss or d am ag e in any form wh atsoever cau sed d irectly or ind irectly from
th e u se of th is m ap.© State of Qu eensland 2018
- Dept of Natu ral Resou rces and Mines - Dept of Sc ience, Inform ation Tec h nolog y,
Innovation and the Arts - Dept of Environm ent and Resou rce
Manag em ent© Glencore 2018
Contou rs - 10 m etre interval - by area of interest – Qu eensland (Pu blish ed 2016/08/16), State of Qu eensland (Departm ent of Natu ral Resou rces, Mines and Energ y) 2018, accessed via QSpatial Novem ber 2018
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3.5.4.3 Permian and Pre-Permian
There is potential for aquifers to occur in the Permian formations the Reids Dome Beds and
the overlying Aldebaran Sandstone. Throughout most of the Bowen Basin the fresh (non-
weathered) Permian strata may be categorised into the following hydrogeological units (4T,
2018):
Hydrogeologically ‘tight’ and hence low yielding to essentially dry sandstone/siltstone that
comprise the majority of the Permian interburden/overburden.
Low to moderately permeable coal seams which are the prime water bearing strata within
the Permian sequence.
The coal seams within the Permian sequences are expected to contain groundwater within
the cleats formed during coal deposition. Coals with higher cleat density are more permeable
than those with fewer cleats. The groundwater in these aquifers will be confined to the coal
seams by the lower permeability interburden above and below the seams and hence will flow
along hydraulic gradient within these seams (4T, 2018). These aquifers represent potential
groundwater sources for the Project, subject to the Project’s environmental impact
assessment.
Pre-Permian basement aquifers are the oldest formations in the Mine area MLA and form an
inlier surrounded (and covered in some areas) by the younger Permian formations. These
formations are composed of a variety of intrusive, sedimentary and metamorphic sequences
which will be folded and faulted in the unweathered state. There are no known landholder
bores sourcing groundwater from the Pre-Permian formations in the Mine area or surrounds.
3.5.5 Potential Impacts to the Quantity and Quality of Groundwater
Groundwater may be used as a supplementary water supply for the Project. It is yet to be
determined the volume of supplementary water required, how many bores would be needed
and where they would be located. Extraction of groundwater for use in the Project may result
in drawdown on aquifers and any interconnected systems (DES, 2016c). Drawdown may also
result from development of the pit whereby groundwater could preferentially flow into the pit
and need to be pumped out for mining activities to proceed. Activities to be carried out as
part of the Project do not involve any planned emissions or releases to groundwater.
If unmitigated and unmanaged, the Project has the potential to cause the following impacts:
Decline in groundwater levels and/or pressure at private water bores, reducing water
availability and potentially impacting groundwater environmental values.
Reduction in groundwater head potentially causing impacts to GDEs.
Reduction of baseflow to watercourses, potentially resulting in impacts to GDEs and
reduced surface water availability to potential users downstream.
Contamination of shallow groundwater systems due to the improper storage and handling
of fuels and chemicals.
Changes in groundwater quality through seepage from water storage facilities or the
proposed on-site landfill.
Changes to levels and/or quality of shallow groundwater systems from over-irrigating of
treated effluent and over-use of water for dust suppression and construction activities.
Glencore has extensive experience in Queensland managing coal mining operations in an
environmentally responsible manner. Therefore, the potential impacts identified on
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groundwater values will be avoided or appropriately mitigated or managed as will be outlined
in the Project’s environmental impact assessment report.
3.5.5.1 Monitoring
The existing groundwater monitoring bore network on MDL219 and surrounds and the data
gathered from this network to date will be reviewed and analysed. If required, additional
monitoring bores will be installed to provide baseline groundwater information for the Project.
The 2013 bore census will be reviewed and additional baseline bore assessment undertaken
in accordance the Water Act 2000.
A groundwater monitoring program will be implemented for the on-going and periodic
collection of groundwater samples for analytical testing, and the recording of groundwater
levels and downloading of level‐loggers. Monitoring results will be used to determine site-
specific WQOs. Groundwater will be monitored for the LOM to ensure potential groundwater
impacts are identified and mitigated/managed as early as possible, in accordance with
relevant EA and EPBC Act approval conditions and UWIR commitments.
3.5.5.2 Modelling
A groundwater model is proposed to be developed for the Project. Monitoring data and
publically available information provides a conceptual understanding of the regional and local
hydrogeological system and would likely inform the groundwater model domain. Key aspects
of the conceptual understanding to be captured in the model include:
Key surface water bodies (e.g. Kettle Creek, Crystal Creek) and associated unconsolidated
sedimentary deposits that may be influenced by groundwater depressurisation.
Hydraulic interconnectivity and compartmentalisation of the groundwater system by
geological structures.
Hydraulic connection between geological units including representation of vertical
gradients as relevant.
Interpreted zones of groundwater recharge and discharge.
The spatial distribution of active and planned coal mining of the target coal seams for
Project.
The model may be calibrated by comparing observed historical groundwater levels to
modelled groundwater levels and adjusting the model to achieve an acceptable match. The
Australian Groundwater Modelling Guidelines will be used to guide the model calibration
process.
Predictive Simulation
Predictive simulations for baseline conditions and Project scenarios will be undertaken to
assess the potential incremental impacts of the Project on the local and regional groundwater
system. Information to be included in the simulations comprises:
All relevant existing, proposed and approved land uses and stock watering bores that
have potential to influence groundwater levels in the vicinity of the Project.
Mine plans and schedule of development for the Project over LOM, including closure
timeframe, final land use, residual voids, topography etc.
The key modelling outputs will include Project only, and cumulative:
Drawdown on each model layer during mining and post-closure.
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Total and annual inflow rates over LOM and post-closure (by model layer and regulated
groundwater resource in accordance with the Fitzroy Basin Resource Operations Plan).
Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analysis
A sensitivity and uncertainty analysis will be undertaken to help quantify the uncertainty in
the groundwater model caused by uncertainty in aquifer parameter estimates, stresses and
boundary conditions. The parameter estimates, stresses and boundary conditions will be
modified within plausible ranges, and may be restricted to one parameter change at a time.
The methodology to be adopted for the sensitivity and uncertainty analysis will be in
consideration of the IESC’s draft explanatory notes on Uncertainty Analysis in Groundwater
Modelling (2018).
3.5.6 Strategies for Avoiding, Mitigating or Managing Predicted Impacts
Results from groundwater assessment will be used to determine the potential impacts of
project-related and cumulative groundwater extraction on local and regional environmental
values.
Requirements of the Water Act 2000 will be addressed including licencing for the take of non-
associated groundwater, development of a UWIR for the Project (DES, 2017e), and
implementation of ‘make good’ provisions should significant drawdown impacts on
surrounding private water bores be predicted to occur. Results of the Project’s environmental
impact assessment will also be used to further develop management strategies and
mitigation measures.
As regards potential contaminants impacting on groundwater systems, the following will be
undertaken:
Design, construct and operate all regulated structures in accordance with the
requirements of the DES ‘Manual for assessing consequences categories and hydraulic
performance of structures’ and ‘Structures which are dams or levees constructed as part
of environmentally relevant activities’ (DEHP, 2016b; 2017d) and maintain a regulated
structures register.
All fuels, chemicals and waste materials will be stored and handled in accordance with the
relevant legislative requirements and Australian Standards.
Use of water for dust suppression etc. and irrigation of treated effluent will be undertaken
in accordance with EA conditions and legislative requirements.
3.5.7 Risk Assessment
Assessment of the risk of adverse impacts occurring to groundwater environmental values
will consider:
The magnitude, relative size or actual extent of any impact in relation to the
environmental value being affected.
The severity of any adverse effect or the scale of any beneficial outcome.
The duration of any effect.
An indication of the level of uncertainty of impacts and any assumptions used to address
the uncertainty in any of the data or proposed commitments to protect the environmental
values.
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The above factors and associated level of risk to groundwater environmental values and
appropriate mitigation measures will be determined through the Project’s environmental
impact assessment.
Noise and Vibration 3.6
3.6.1 Description of Environmental Values
Ambient noise levels at the Mine area MLA are expected to be typical of rural areas with the
prominent noise sources likely to be from agricultural activities and insects. Noise levels
along Capella Rubyvale Road, Fourteen Thousand Access Road and the northern section of
Fork Lagoon Road are expected to be consistent with that for rural roads. The southern part
of Fork Lagoon Road is expected to experience higher noise levels due to the proximity of the
Capricorn Highway and the Central Western Railway line.
Typical of a rural area, the night time background and ambient noise levels are expected to
be lower than those experienced during the day. Noise levels during summer are expected to
be higher than in winter as a result of prevalence of insect (e.g. cicada) noise during warmer
months (DES, 2013) and the reduced distance that sound travels due to lower ambient air
temperatures in cooler months.
The noise environmental values for the Project area that are to be enhanced or protected as
required by the EPP Noise comprise the qualities of the acoustic environment that are
conducive to (DES, 2017f):
Protecting the health and biodiversity of ecosystems.
Human health and wellbeing, including by ensuring a suitable acoustic environment for
individuals to sleep, project and learn and be involved in recreation, including relaxation
and conversation.
Protecting the amenity of the community.
As relevant to the sensitive receptors in the Project surrounds (refer section 3.1.1.4), the EPP
Noise lists the acoustic quality objectives, measured at the receptor (dB(A)). The Project
environmental impact assessment report will take into account EPP Noise objectives for
sensitive receptors.
3.6.2 Emissions and Releases
Noise and vibration will be generated by the Project during the construction, operation and
rehabilitation and closure phases. Noise will be generated predominantly during daylight
hours during the construction period. Operational noise will be generated 24 hours per day, 7
days per week, 52 weeks of the year. Noise will also be generated during road and rail
transportation of coal product.
Noise and vibration can be constant or intermittent occurring over the short or long term.
Construction-related and intermittent noise and vibration can be generated by:
Drilling activities.
Dozers, graders and other plant and machinery used for site preparation and construction
of infrastructure, roads and tracks, bunds, dams etc.
Blasting and excavation machinery used to develop the pit boxcut.
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Trucks and vehicle movements to, from and within site.
Workshop activities including plant and equipment maintenance, refuelling etc.
Diesel generators.
Operational noise can be generated by:
Blasting and excavation of the pit.
CHPP and conveyors.
Movement of trucks and vehicles to, from and within the site.
Workshop activities including plant and equipment maintenance, refuelling etc.
Activities at the load out facilities.
Movement of trains and haul trucks along the transport route.
Rehabilitation and closure noise will be generated from:
Demolition and removal of buildings and infrastructure.
Truck, machinery and equipment movements associated with removal of access tracks
and roads, landform contouring, soil placement and revegetating landforms.
3.6.3 Potential Impacts and Management Practices
Noise and vibration becomes a nuisance when there is an unreasonable interference with an
acoustic value such as a material interference with property or the personal comfort or
quality of life of persons. Factors that can increase noise and vibration impacts include (DES,
2017f):
Character of the receiving environment (e.g. distance from sensitive receptors, existing
land uses, levels of background noise etc.)
Duration and the time of day that noise is generated.
Characteristics of the noise (i.e. tonal, impulsive, continuous at a steady state or
fluctuating etc.) and associated vibration/overpressure.
The hierarchy as described in the EPP Noise requires the following be undertaken to minimise
impacts to environmental values:
Avoid causing noise impacts.
Minimise noise impacts firstly through orientation of the activity to minimise noise and
secondly using best available technology.
Manage noise impacts.
Glencore has extensive experience in Queensland managing coal mining operations in an
environmentally responsible manner. Therefore, the potential impacts identified on acoustic
values will be avoided or appropriately mitigated or managed as will be outlined with the
Project’s environmental impact assessment report.
3.6.3.1 Monitoring and Modelling
The Project will undertake attended and unattended background noise monitoring at
representative sensitive receptors near to the Project area in accordance with the EPP Noise
and relevant guidelines and Australian Standards. This data, noise levels for equipment to be
utilised for the Project, and any planned noise mitigation measures will be incorporated into
the noise modelling. Noise modelling results will be compared against the EPP Noise
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objectives and inform EA noise limits for day-time, evening and night-time that are not to be
exceeded at sensitive receptors.
Vibration monitoring and modelling will be undertaken to inform EA blasting noise limits for
airblast overpressure and ground vibration peak particle velocity, for day and night-time at
sensitive receptors. A Blast Monitoring Program will be implemented to monitor EA limits at
the nearest sensitive receptor, as required.
3.6.3.2 Site Layout and Design
Project planning and design has and will continue to consider the following factors to mitigate
noise impacts:
OOP dump locations, configuration size and orientation as regards potential to provide a
noise mitigation/barrier.
Active mining locations including the pit, with particular consideration of activities which
will be undertaken at elevated or exposed locations.
Mine infrastructure locations and the nature of work to be undertaken at these sites.
Other infrastructure locations and operational aspects such as haul roads and stockpiles.
Low frequency noise produced by machinery, both rotational and reciprocating, as well as
all forms of transport and turbulence (e.g. fans, pumps, blasting, electrical installations
and diesel engines).
Hours and time of day of construction, operation and coal transportation.
Existing topography and likely topographical changes during mining operations and how
this may result in changes to the noise emissions from the operation over the LOM.
Prevailing meteorological conditions and how these may affect noise propagation.
If monitoring and modelling indicate that sensitive receptors may be impacted by Project
noise, the following will be considered:
The placement of material stockpile and dump locations to provide for maximum
operational flexibility in times when adverse weather conditions are predicted or
experienced.
The need for noise bunds or similar to potentially limit noise propagation, particularly in
relation to equipment and infrastructure locations.
Whether modified activities can be undertaken during adverse weather conditions,
including relocating equipment or temporarily ceasing operations.
3.6.4 Risk Assessment
Assessment of the risk of adverse impacts occurring to acoustic environmental values will
consider:
The magnitude, relative size or actual extent of any impact in relation to the
environmental value being affected.
The severity of any adverse effect or the scale of any beneficial outcome.
The duration of any effect.
An indication of the level of uncertainty of impacts and any assumptions used to address
the uncertainty in any of the data or proposed commitments to protect the environmental
values.
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The above factors and associated level of risk to acoustic environmental values will be
determined during the Project’s environmental impact assessment.
Waste 3.7
3.7.1 Description of Environmental Values
There are currently no prescribed environmental values for waste management on the two
MLAs. The environmental values previously prescribed under the Environmental Protection
(Waste Management) Policy 2000 (repealed) provide an indication of the matters that may
be impacted by the generation and management of waste at the Project:
The life, health and wellbeing of people.
Soil, air and surface and groundwater quality.
Land use capability, having regard to economic considerations.
In the greater Project surrounds, solid and liquid wastes are generated from domestic and
commercial premises as well as agricultural, industrial and resource activities. These wastes
comprise general, recyclable and regulated wastes.
3.7.2 Emissions and Releases
Mine waste generated by the Project will generally be limited to dry chitta reject, and
overburden and interburden (collectively called waste rock). Waste rock is the natural rock
and soil that sits above and around the ore body and which needs to be removed to allow
access to the coal seam. Waste rock includes topsoil, clay and rock, each of which will be
stored for reuse where appropriate.
Sulphides found in and along coal-bearing strata can oxidise to form sulphuric acid when it
comes in contact with water, and depending on the ability of the chemical compounds in
associated materials to neutralise or buffer the acidity, can result in Acid Rock Drainage
(ARD). Waste rock can be non-acid forming (NAF) or potential acid forming (PAF) which both
need to be handled appropriately. The expected annual volume of waste rock that will be
generated by the Project is estimated at generally 10 to 16 Mbcm per annum.
As described in Section 2.1.2, ROM coal will be processed using Air Jig technology which
produces a dry reject. No tailings or wet slurry will result from this process, significantly
reducing the overall volume of water required to operate the Project. The expected volume of
coarse reject per annum approximates 0.7 to 0.9 Mt. A geochemical assessment will be
undertaken to characterise the reject and spoil to inform management of the material.
Other waste that may be generated from the Project comprises:
General waste, including putrescible wastes that decompose easily and are recyclable by
composting, and non-putrescible wastes that are not easily decomposed but may be
recyclable.
Recyclable waste that can be reconditioned, reprocessed or reused.
Regulated waste as defined in Schedule 7 of the EP Regulation that require specific
controls and management actions as defined by legislation.
The types of waste likely to be generated by the Project along with the associated activity
phase (DES, 2017g), as well as indicative estimated volumes, are to be confirmed through
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more detailed mine planning and presented in the Project’s environmental impact assessment
report.
The Project proposes to construct an on-site landfill for the disposal of general waste and
tyres (in-pit or in-dump as is common mining practice). The location and design of the landfill
has not been determined at this stage but will consider topography, drainage lines and
groundwater as well as distance from key mining infrastructure.
The Project will require a STP. Treated effluent is proposed to be irrigated to land in
accordance with EA conditions. Sewage sludge and residue will be removed from the STP by
a licensed contractors and disposed of at an appropriately authorised facility.
3.7.3 Potential Impacts and Management Practices
As required by the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011, resources used for the Project
will be managed in accordance with the waste management hierarchy. If managed
inappropriately, waste has the potential to result in the following:
Contamination of soil or water through inappropriate waste disposal, accidental release of
waste/chemicals or seepage/leakage from waste containment structures.
Impacts to the environment, land use or well-being of people , such as:
o Littering and pollution.
o Increase in vermin and associated health implications.
o Impacts on native wildlife where food waste is inappropriately managed.
The waste management hierarchy requires that the Project:
Avoids unnecessary resource consumption.
Reduces waste generation and disposal.
Reuses waste resources without further manufacturing.
Recycles waste resources to make the same or different products.
Recovers waste resources, including the recovery of energy.
Treats waste before disposal, including reducing the hazardous nature of waste.
Disposes of waste only if there is no viable alternative.
The Project will implement this hierarchy. Reuse, recycling and waste minimisation
opportunities will be undertaken where practicable, including but not limited to:
Educating and training of Project personnel and contractors in waste prevention,
reduction, recycling, re-use treatment and final disposal.
Ensuring contractors have targets for reducing waste surplus materials and recycling
where possible.
Ensuring Project activities consider existing available resources on site prior to purchasing
additional materials/equipment.
Glencore has extensive experience in Queensland managing coal mining operations in an
environmentally responsible manner including through effective waste minimisation and
management. Therefore, potential impacts on environmental values from waste will be
avoided or appropriately mitigated or managed as will be outlined with the Project’s
environmental impact assessment report.
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Mitigation and management measures could include:
Geochemical characterisation of waste rock to inform ongoing management of PAF and
final landform and rehabilitation design.
Establishment of a hardstand waste area with receptacles including for recycling colour-
coded and labelled based on the waste hierarchy.
Waste receptacles that seal appropriately to avoid attracting native and feral animals
(including vermin) into the Mine area.
Putrescible waste, disposed of on site at the landfill, to be covered by earth to reduce
scavenging.
Wastes to be removed from site will be transported by a licensed waste contractor to an
appropriately licensed waste disposal facility.
3.7.4 Risk Assessment
Assessment of the risk of adverse impacts occurring to environmental values from waste
generated by the Project will consider:
The magnitude, relative size or actual extent of any impact in relation to the
environmental value being affected.
The severity of any adverse effect or the scale of any beneficial outcome.
The duration of any effect.
An indication of the level of uncertainty of impacts and any assumptions used to address
the uncertainty in any of the data or proposed commitments to protect the environmental
values.
The above factors and associated level of risk to environmental values will be determined
during the Project’s environmental impact assessment.
Rehabilitation and Closure 3.8
3.8.1 Strategy and Goals
As discussed in Section 1.2.2, rehabilitation and closure planning will be undertaken for the
Project with details provided to DES in the draft PRCP to be developed and included within
the Project’s environmental impact assessment report.
There are four general goals relating to the rehabilitation of areas disturbed by mining:
Safe to humans and animals.
Non-polluting.
Geotechnically stable.
Able to sustain an agreed post mining land use.
The Project rehabilitation strategy will be defined in the PRCP to achieve these goals and
developed in consideration of site-specific aspects such as land use, climate, ML boundaries,
any existing (historic) disturbance, material properties and available biological resources for
rehabilitation. Development of the rehabilitation strategy will include the following steps as
relevant:
Describe the intended post-mining land uses.
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Identify the domains of the Project having regard to the post-mining land uses.
Establish rehabilitation objectives for each domain, considering legal requirements,
stakeholder expectations, land capability and land-use, aesthetic aspects of the
rehabilitated mine landform and water quality.
Identify indicators that support the rehabilitation objectives and can be measured reliably
over time using accepted scientific techniques.
Nominate rehabilitation success criteria to monitor the progress and ultimate success of
rehabilitation in achieving the post-mining land uses.
3.8.2 Post-mine Land Use and Completion Criteria
The post-mining land use nominated for the Project is grazing (grazing being the pre-
dominant pre-mining land use) and reinstatement of native vegetation where possible and
where that was the pre-mining land use (numbers 4 and 2 respectively in the DES
rehabilitation hierarchy (DES, 2014b)). VS intends that any final void left by the Project will
be able to support a post-mining land use, so as not constitute a NUMA.
Rehabilitation indicators and rehabilitation success criteria will be developed and incorporated
into the PRCP as relevant. Suitable indicators (e.g. pH, slope, topsoil depth) will be
nominated and measured to demonstrate and track the progress of an aspect of
rehabilitation towards the rehabilitation success criteria. The rehabilitation success criteria to
be met by the rehabilitation in achieving the nominated post-mine land uses will be selected
as objective target levels or values that can be measured to quantitatively demonstrate the
progress and ultimate achievement of the criteria. Rehabilitation of available areas will be
undertaken progressively once they become available and are no longer needed for
operational purposes.
3.8.3 Rehabilitation Considerations
The Project will consider the following key principals during landform design activities and
when preparing the PRCP:
Incorporate natural undulations and slope geometries into the final landform and aim to
minimise the use of berms, across-slope banks or drainage swales and rock drop
structures.
Reinstate natural drainage patterns disrupted by mining or acceptable drainage patterns.
Model and design for critical duration surface runoff, to make sure drainage designs are
adequate.
Minimise the long-term visual impact by creating landforms which are compatible with the
surrounding landscape.
To this end, over the LOM the WOOP dump is proposed to be expanded to the east and south
behind the advancing mining operation. The WOOP would then transition into an in-pit dump
to sequentially backfill the operational void. In addition, the SOOP has been located to allow
for pushing into the void once operations cease. These design elements will facilitate cost
efficient and effective rehabilitation.
Materials including topsoil, subsoils and waste rock will be characterised as required to
understand limitations and requirements for the treatment and management.
Characterisation of these materials will inform mine and rehabilitation planning and design
and maximise successful revegetation being achieved during mining or at closure.
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Key details to be included within the PRCP will include but not limited to:
Vegetation and topsoil removal.
Management of subsoil.
Drainage.
Topsoil placement.
Revegetation.
The Project’s environmental impact assessment report will develop a rehabilitation monitoring
program for inclusion in the PRCP. Monitoring will allow the success of rehabilitation
operations to be evaluated, identify the need for corrective action and/or maintenance works,
and review the trajectory of rehabilitation areas towards achieving completion criteria.
Community 3.9
3.9.1 Social Considerations
The Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017 (SSRC Act), has been recently
enacted to ensure that residents of communities near large resource projects benefit from
the construction and operation of those projects. Among other matters, the SSRC Act makes
an enhanced social impact assessment mandatory for large resource projects going through
an EIS process, and prioritises recruitment from local and regional communities first, then
recruitment of workers who will relocate and live in nearby regional communities.
VS intends to develop and implement a plan to prioritise the recruitment of workers from
local communities, particularly Capella, Emerald and surrounds. Consultation will also be
undertaken with the Western Kangoulu People in terms of a business, employment, training
and skills development programs.
Glencore, as parent company of VS has well established programs, including an employee
assistance program, which will be implemented at the Project to ensure the health and
wellbeing of the proposed workforce. Subject to further assessment and consultation, it is
intended that the Project construction and operational workforce (approximately 60 and 75
people respectively) will be accommodated in Capella and surrounds, in existing housing
where possible. It is not anticipated that the Project will require a camp.
The Project will seek to maximise opportunities for competitive and capable local businesses
to provide goods and services, and reduce barriers to entry for local businesses where
feasible. Local and Indigenous Business supply chain principles will be adopted and promoted
throughout the Project.
3.9.1.1 Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholders relevant to the Project include but may not be limited to:
Landholders neighbouring the Project area.
Western Kangoulu People as Traditional Owners of the Project area and surrounds.
Local and regional businesses, and community groups.
Federal, State and Local Government and agencies.
Non-government organisations and unions.
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Industry groups.
A consultative and inclusive Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) will be developed and
implemented for the Project, commencing early in the project planning phase to consider the
nature of potential beneficial and detrimental impacts and the needs of various stakeholder
groups. Stakeholders will be provided with timely and relevant information about the Project
with the aim of engagement activities being to:
Understand who is likely to be impacted by the Project and how.
Understand the affected communities.
Identify and assess potential social and community impacts.
Develop management measures to mitigate adverse impacts and enhance benefits.
Statutorily prescribed public notification periods for the MLAs, EA and EPBC Act application
and approval processes will offer the public opportunity to comment on the Project. During
these periods, application material will be advertised at a minimum on a dedicated Project
webpage (hosted on the Glencore website), on the regulator websites and in National and
State newspapers as required, for the public to respond to by way of written submissions to
the regulator. Periodic meetings will be held with Local, State and Federal Government and
regulatory agencies for both primary and secondary approvals.
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