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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant
Mining Management Plan
January 2020
prepared for
Tennant Consolidated Mining Group Pty Ltd
Final version for release as approved by TRL Tennant Creek Pty Ltd
© Northern Resource Consultants, 2018
Contact Information Details
Organisation Northern Resource Consultants Pty Limited
Contact Person Marty Costello
Phone Redacted
Email Redacted
Mail Redacted
ABN 55 126 894 693
Document Control Details including responsible party and date
Version 1 M Kinnane internal draft August 2018
Version 2 M Kinnane internal draft for client review August 2018
Version 3 M Kinnane internal draft for QA/QC August 2018
Version 4 S. Talbot QA/QC review September 2018
Version 5 M. Kinnane final report for client release September 2018
I Marty Costello, declare that to the best of my knowledge the information contained in this mining
management plan is true and correct and commit to undertake the works detailed in this plan in accordance
with all the relevant Local, Northern Territory and Commonwealth Government legislation.
Signed: Redacted Date: 15 April 2021
© Northern Resource Consultants, 2018
Limitations and Qualifications
Client: TRL Tennant Creek Pty Ltd
Prepared by Northern Resource Consultants (NRC)
This document has been prepared for the sole and exclusive use of TRL Tennant Creek Pty Ltd (the Client). It may not
be updated, amended, distributed or disclosed to any third party without the express written consent of Northern
Resource Consultants (NRC).
NRC makes no representation or warranty (whether express or implied), undertakes no duty and accepts no
responsibility to any third party who may use or rely upon this document or any part of it. If any reliance is placed on
this document, or any part of it, by any third party, NRC hereby disclaims any and all liability for such reliance.
This document has been prepared on the basis of instructions provided to NRC by the Client. It is limited by the scope
of those instructions and any qualifications which have been agreed between NRC and the Client or otherwise
communicated to the Client prior to the date of this document (Date), whether verbally or in writing. The scope of
those instructions may have been limited by a range of factors including, but not limited to, time, budget and access
constraints.
Any statements, opinions, conclusions, advice or recommendations contained in this document (Conclusions) must be
read and relied upon only in the context of the document as a whole.
This document is current as at the Date and the Conclusions may differ if further investigation, observation or analysis
is undertaken by NRC or if any data, information, designs, plans or analysis (Data) relied upon by NRC when preparing
this document is subsequently found to be incorrect or incomplete.
Unless otherwise specified in this document, NRC is not responsible for revising or updating this document if
additional Data is obtained after the Date, through further investigation, observation, analysis or otherwise, which
indicates that the content of this document, including any Conclusion, is inaccurate or incomplete.
Unless otherwise stated in this document, where Data used in this document, or upon which the Conclusions were
based, was obtained from the Client or any third party, the accuracy and completeness of that Data has not been
independently verified by NRC. Such Data was used in good faith and NRC is not responsible for its quality, accuracy
or completeness, nor does NRC warrant or represent that such Data is accurate, up-to-date or complete.
Neither the Conclusions nor any part of this document constitutes legal advice, nor do they represent the opinions of
the government or regulatory agencies responsible for the administration of the relevant legislation or regulatory
regimes.
Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
prepared by: Northern Resource Consultants Pty Ltd
Contents
Mining Management Plan Checklist 1
1. Introduction 3
1.1. Operator details 3
1.1.1. Organisational structure/chart 3
1.2. Title details 5
1.3. Project description 11
1.3.1. Location 11
1.3.2. Background 11
1.3.3. Project proposition 11
1.3.4. Project exclusions 16
1.3.5. Rationale and future developments 17
2. Site Conditions 17
2.1. Physical environment 17
2.1.1. Climate 17
2.1.2. Land systems 21
2.1.3. Flora and fauna 22
2.2. Socio-economic environment 22
2.2.1. Current land use 23
2.2.2. Identified stakeholders and consultation 23
2.2.3. Workforce description and demography 24
2.2.4. Community affairs 25
3. Statutory and Non-statutory Requirements 25
3.1. Statutory requirements 25
3.2. Non-statutory obligations 25
3.3. Sacred, archaeological and heritage sites 26
3.3.1. Sacred sites 26
3.3.2. Heritage and archaeological sites 26
4. Operational Activities 27
4.1. Exploration and mineral development program 27
4 2. Care and maintenance program 27
4.3. Operations program 30
4.3 1. Operational performance 32
4.4. Closure works and studies 33
5. Environmental Management Program 33
5.1. Organisational structure of environmental responsibility 33
5.2. Environmental policy and responsibilities 34
5.3. Environmental commitments 34
5.3.1. Commitments contained in this MMP 34
5.3.2. Establishing environmental commitments 35
5.4. Environmental training and education 38
5.5. Environmental emergency response training 38
5.6. Implementation, monitoring and review 39
5.6.1. Identification of environmental aspects and impacts 39
5.6.2. Risk assessment 39
5.7. Environmental management plans 45
5.7.1. Spill response procedure 45
5.7 2. Hazardous material management plan 48
5.7.3. Land clearance procedure 52
5.7.4. Native flora and fauna management plan 56
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5.7.6. Waste (domestic and industrial) management plan 57
5.7.7. Dust, noise and vibration management plan 59
6. Water Management 62
6.1. Current conditions 62
6.1.1. Surface water 62
6.1.2. Groundwater 62
6.2. Information/knowledge gaps 63
6.2.1. Identification of information/knowledge gaps 63
6.2.2. Filling information/knowledge gaps 63
6.2.3. Water account 63
7. Incident Reporting 63
7.1. Incident reporting–internal and external 63
7.2. Process for reporting fauna impacts 64
7.3. Process for reporting cultural heritage impacts 64
7.4. Process for reporting to the Department of Industry Tourism and Trade 64
7.5. Incident reporting–health and safety 64
7.6. Process for reporting to NT WorkSafe 65
8. Closure Planning 65
8.1. Planned closure strategy 65
8.1.1. Expected disturbance areas 65
8.1.2. Rehabilitation domains 65
8.1 3. Completion criteria65
8.1.4. Post mining land use 66
8.1.5. Rehabilitation implementation 66
8.1.6. Rehabilitation tasks by domain 67
8.2. Unplanned closure strategy 68
8.3. Rehabilitation and revegetation monitoring 68
8.3.1. Monitoring methods–landscape function analysis 68
8.3.2. Financial provisions for rehabilitation 69
9. References 70
List of Tables
Table 1: Operator details 3
Table 2: ML30888 tenure details 5
Table 3: Meteorological data for Tennant Creek Airport 19
Table 4: Stakeholders identified as part of the Project MMP 23
Table 5: Aboriginal culturally significant trees 26
Table 6: Care and maintenance work program 27
Table 7: Operations work program 30
Table 8: Performance objectives for the MMP32
Table 9: Environmental management responsibilities at WGOTP 33
Table 10: Environmental commitments of the Project 36
Table 11: Definitions of likelihood of an incident occurring at the Project 39
Table 12: Definitions of consequence as it applies to risk assessment for the Project 39
Table 13: Risk assessment matrix used for the Project 40
Table 14: Assessment of risk scores for the Project risk assessment 40
Table 15: Risk assessment for the Project for the refurbishment and commissioning phases: (L) =
likelihood, (C) = consequence, (T) = total risk rating 41
Table 16: WGOTP hazardous materials matrix49
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Table 17: WGOPT land clearance procedure 53
Table 18: Waste (domestic and industrial) management matrix 58
Table 19: Dust, noise and vibration management matrix 60
Table 20: Completion criteria for the Project 66
Table 21: TCMG security calculation for the WGOTP 70
List of Figures
Figure 1: Organisational structure and responsibilities 4
Figure 2: ML30888 over historical Warrego Ore Treatment Plant site 6
Figure 3: Areas associated with the Project 7
Figure 4: ML30888 and its location from the Tennant Creek township 8
Figure 5: ML30888 wholly within PPL946 9
Figure 6: Boundaries of ML30888 over the historical Warrego Ore Treatment Plant site and derelict
infrastructure project areas 10
Figure 7: Location of TD1 complex 14
Figure 8: Configuration of TD1 complex 15
Figure 9: General spill response procedure 46
List of Appendices
Appendix A Maps Appendix C NT WorkSafe Proforma Appendix D
Security Calculation
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Mining Management Plan Checklist This checklist has been included with this Mining Management Plan (MMP) in accordance with
the Department of Industry Tourism and Trade (DITT) Template for the Preparation of a Mining
Management Plan. The contents of the ‘Requirement’ column have been cross referenced to
page numbers within this report.
y/N Page Requirement DITT
comment
Has the plan been endorsed by a senior representative of the company?
Y 4 Introduction:
Have operator details been included?
Y 4 Is the company structure described?
Y 6 Are title details included?
Y 12 Is there a project summary and description of improvements?
Y 20 Site Conditions:
Have all the physical environment conditions for the site and surrounds
been identified?
Y 25 Have the current land uses and users and stakeholders been identified?
Y 27 Have Community Affairs been described?
Y 28 Statutory and Non-statutory requirements:
Has all legislation relevant to the operation and associated permits and
approvals been identified?
Y 28 Have all non-statutory obligations been identified and included?
Y 29 Have Aboriginal and heritage sites been identified?
Y 30 Operational Activities:
Have all operational activities relating to mining, processing, exploration
and any related activities for the site been addressed in the MMP?
N N/A Waste Rock Characterisation:
Have results of waste rock characterisation been included and discussed?
N N/A Has a waste characterisation report been included?
N N/A Does the MMP include a waste rock management plan?
Y 38 Environmental Management:
Has the environmental management structure and responsibilities been
outlined?
Y 38 Has the Environmental Policy been included?
Y 39 Has a register of environmental commitments been included?
N N/A Has a summary of all recommendations from the Environmental Impact
Assessment been included and addressed if the project has been formally
assessed?
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y/N Page Requirement DITT
comment
Y 42 Has training and induction been addressed?
Y 43 Is there an Environmental Emergency and Response plan?
Y 43 Have all environmental aspects and potential impacts been identified?
Y 43 Has a risk assessment been carried out?
Y 50 Have Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) for identified risks been
developed and included?
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
EMPs:
Do all EMPs include:
Objectives and targets
Management and mitigation strategies
Monitoring and measurement
Discussion and analysis of results
Non-conformances and corrective actions
Y 69 Water Management:
Has a comprehensive description of surface water conditions been
included?
Y 70 Has a comprehensive groundwater model been described?
Y 70 Have information or knowledge gaps been identified and described for
water management?
Y 70 Are there comprehensive details (including scopes of work) on actions
proposed to be taken to respond to any identified information or
knowledge gaps?
N Have hazards been identified that could result from activities related to the
operation and rank the associated risks of impacts to both surface and
groundwater?
N Are all strategies and actions that will be undertaken to manage any risks
identified included?
N Has the water monitoring program been detailed?
N Has all monitoring data been included?
N Has an interpretation of data by a suitably qualified person been included?
N Has a discussion of trends over time been detailed?
N Have details of remedial / corrective strategies and scopes of work been
included?
N Have proposed actions been detailed?
Y 71 Incident Reporting:
Has a table of all incidents recorded on site been included and discussed?
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y/N Page Requirement DITT
comment
Y 74
78
74
78
75
Closure Planning:
Has a Life of Mine Plan – Unplanned Closure plan been included?
Are all disturbances described?
Are remediation activities that would be required in the event of unplanned
closure described?
Are activities required to achieve end land use objectives described?
Y 79 Does the MMP include a detailed costing of closure activities for the life of
plan?
Y 74 Have all past disturbances and those proposed for the next reporting
period been identified and included?
Y
Y
Maps and Plans:
Maps and plans have scale, scale bar, legend and north point?
Datums used are MGA94 or GDA94 (expressed in decimal degrees) with
elevations based on AHD?
Introduction
Operator details Tennant Consolidated Mining Group Pty Limited (TCMG) is the owner and operator of the
Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant located on mineral lease (ML) 30888.
Table 1: Operator details
Operator Details: Tennant Consolidated Mining Group Pty Ltd (ABN 72 645 263 547)
Key contact person(s): Marty Costello (Project Director)
Postal address: Redacted
Street address: Redacted
Phone: Redacted
Email: Redacted
Organisational structure/chart
The board of TCMG has appointed a Project Director who is accountable for the
development and management of the Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Project (WGOTP, the
Project). This position is supported by internal resources and external service providers. The
organisational structure and responsibilities are outlined in Figure 1.
The Project Director is responsible for maintaining the Mining Management Plan (MMP) and
Environmental Management Plans relevant to the Project.
The General Manager is responsible for managing site works including environmental
monitoring programs, statutory reporting processes and site-based regulatory engagement.
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Project Director
Neil O’Loughlin
Board – Tennant Consolidated Mining Group
(TCMGMG)
Managing
Director
Peter Main
Project
Director
Marty Costello
Site Safety and Field Manager
Justin Hankinson
Figure 1: Organisational structure and responsibilities
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Title details The proposed Project lies wholly within ML 30888 held by TCMG and is located 55km by road to
the northwest of the Tennant Creek township. The access road to the Project site is via the
Warrego Road, which is bitumen sealed for the entire distance between the Stuart Highway and
the entrance to the site.
ML30888 incorporates the historical Warrego mine (open pit and underground workings), head
frames and associated mining infrastructure, the copper concentrate processing facility and
associated infrastructure, bismuth tailings storage facility (TSF), the disused gold processing
plant and associated processing infrastructure, ore crushing and grinding facilities, ore conveyor
infrastructure, ball mills, run of mine (ROM) pad, workshops and office facilities, the historical
Warrego town site and tailings dam 1 (TD1) tailings storage facilities. Figure 2 and Appendix A
illustrate the position of ML30888 over the historical Warrego Ore Treatment Plant project site.
The Project infrastructure that is the subject of this MMP includes the proposed WGOTP
processing facility (former gold processing plant) and ROM pad, the workshops and office
facilities, part of the historical Warrego town site, TD1 TSF and the onsite landfill area illustrated
in Figure 3 and Appendix A.
The historical TSFs immediately adjacent to the western boundary of the ML30888 formerly held
by Aard Metals Limited and operated under a separate tenure are not subject to this MMP.
ML30888 was granted on 10 July 2015 to Giants Reef Exploration Pty Ltd for a term of 10 years
to expire on 9 July 2025. ML30888 is an amalgamation and replacement title for MLC’s 22, 39–
41, 71–76, 83, 84, 98–102, 107 and 108.
Details of the ML30888 tenure that is the subject of this MMP are listed in Table 2. Figure 4 and
Appendix A show the location of ML30888 with respect to the Tennant Creek township.
Table 2: ML30888 tenure details
Tenement ID tenement name holder interest Grant Date Effective Date Expiry Date Area (HA)
ML30888 Warrego TCMG 100% 10/7/2015 10/7/2015 9/7/2025 306
The Warrego tenure listed in Table 2 and displayed in Figure 2 and Appendix A is located within
NT Land Parcel 00408, Perpetual Pastoral Lease 946 (PPL 946) Phillip Creek Station (Figure 5).
Figure 6: and Appendix A illustrate the boundaries of ML30888 in relation to the historical
Warrego Ore Treatment Plant site and derelict site infrastructure. Note the historical TSF
adjacent to the western boundary of ML30888 is off lease and does not form part of the
proposed Project.
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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Figure 2: ML30888 over historical Warrego Ore Treatment Plant site
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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Figure 3: Areas associated with the Project
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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Figure 4: ML30888 and its location from the Tennant Creek township
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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Figure 5: ML30888 wholly within PPL946
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Figure 6: Boundaries of ML30888 over the historical Warrego Ore Treatment Plant site and
derelict infrastructure project areas
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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Project description
Location
The Project site is located approximately 55km northwest of the Tennant Creek township and is
located west of the Stuart Highway, on the Short Range (5659) 1:100,000 map sheet centred on
GDA94 Z53 coordinates 376100E 7849200N.
Figure 4 shows the location of the Project site and surrounds with respect to its location to the
Tennant Creek township.
Background
Large-scale mineral development of the Warrego area commenced in the early 1970s. The Peko
Wallsend Company established a large underground mining and processing facility at Warrego
in 1972. Mining facilities included a large headframe, vent and access shafts as well as
associated workshops and geological stores. Processing facilities included large primary and
secondary crushing circuits, grinding mills and flotation circuits for the extraction of copper
concentrates that were rich in gold. Process residues were stored in the TD1 complex to the
north of the site. Extensive water and power generation facilities as well as a town to house the
workforce supported these developments. In addition to the Warrego production, gold/copper
ore mined at the Gecko and Argo mines was also brought in to Warrego for treatment. Mining
at Warrego was curtailed in 1999 when the crown pillar failed.
In 1991, a carbon-in-pulp gold treatment plant was developed at the site. Tailings from the
Warrego concentrator were treated in the new plant to extract residual gold not removed in the
copper flotation process. By this time, storage in the TD1 complex had been exhausted and
additional tailings storage was developed to the west of the site in TDs2, 3 and 4. Tailings were
reclaimed from the TD1 complex and retreated in the gold plant to recover residual gold.
Following the tailings re-treatment campaign, the site was placed into care and maintenance.
Two campaigns of processing gold bearing ores from remote mining operations have been
undertaken. The first campaign occurred in the years leading up to 1999 when ore from the
White Devil mine was processed in the gold circuit. Tailings from this campaign were disposed
of in the TD2/3/4 complex. Approximately 275,000T of ore from the Chariot mine was
transported to Warrego for treatment in the gold circuit between 2003 and 2005.
Following another period of care and maintenance, a decision was made to scrap much of the
original copper processing facility. The lease operator at the time engaged a contractor to
undertake the work that included dismantling and removal of much of the fixed plant and
associated buildings. The program did not include scrapping of the 300,000T/yr gold treatment
plant. During the execution of these works, the contracting company went into receivership with
some of the decommissioning works incomplete.
Prior to TCMG taking ownership of the ML30888 in 2021, Territory Resources Limited kept the
site and its remaining infrastructure secure for future potential site recommissioning projects.
Project proposition
TCMG proposes to recommence gold ore treatment operations at ML30888.
The Tennant Creek mineral field is a high grade, gold and copper field centred on the township
of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory (NT). TCMG is aware of several known gold resources
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in the area that are available for development but remain stranded. One of the key impediments
to the development of these resources is the lack of an available ore treatment facility. TCMG
proposes to recommence gold ore treatment operations at ML30888. The business model is
centred on a common user facility whereby the plant is supplied with ore mined elsewhere in
the Tennant Creek mineral field and trucked into Warrego.
The proposal is six-fold. TCMG propose to:
Refurbish and recommission the existing gold ore treatment facility at Warrego.
Redevelop and recommission the existing TD1 TSF.
Develop new water and wastewater services.
Develop new electrical power services.
Recommission the existing industrial landfill at Warrego.
TCMG does not propose to operate, occupy, develop or rehabilitate the remainder of ML30888
pursuant to this MMP.
Figure 3 defines the area of activity proposed in this MMP.
Refurbish and recommission the existing gold ore treatment facility TCMG proposes to refurbish, recommission and operate the existing gold processing facilities at
Warrego.
For the purposes of this MMP, the gold processing facilities include:
Primary and secondary fixed crushing circuit.
Fine ore bin.
Grinding, gravity gold and classification circuits.
Leach and absorption circuits.
Elution and carbon regeneration circuit.
Electro-win and gold room.
Reagent mixing and storage station.
415V distribution network.
Process and potable water distributions.
Plant and process air distributions.
Workshops and administration.
TCMG propose to undertake the necessary maintenance works to return the plant to a safe,
serviceable and operable condition. The work will involve maintenance on a like-for-like basis.
No new developments are proposed.
It is proposed that the first stage of refurbishment works will take six months to complete. This
scope will bring the plant up to an operable condition and allow processing operations to re-
commence. The second stage of refurbishment works will take a further 18 months to complete
and will run concurrently with processing operations.
During the term of this MMP, TCMG proposes to recommission the gold processing facility and
to treat 50KT of ore to confirm the operability of the plant.
At the conclusion of the refurbishment works, the expectation is that the plant will be capable of
treating gold bearing ores at a rate of 300KT/annum. The circuit will utilise a conventional
carbon-in-pulp configuration. Ore will be crushed, mixed with raw water and ground to achieve
a grind size of 80% passing 85µm. The process slurry will then be leached with cyanide solution
to liberate the gold. Gold will be removed from the circuit and smelted into dore bars on site
before being sent for refinement into fine gold.
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TCMG propose to operate the facility for a nominal period of 5 years.
Redevelop and recommission the existing TD1 tailings storage facility
TCMG also proposes to redevelop and recommission the TD1 complex to store process residues
from the gold treatment facility.
The TD1 facility has been in and out of operation since the early 1970s and has been subjected
to both filling and reclaim activities. The perimeter embankments have not been developed to
contemporary engineering standards and have been breached in a number of locations. Our
understanding is that the environmental performance of the facility has been sound; however,
TCMG does not propose that the facility is fit for reuse without substantial redevelopment.
TCMG propose to redevelop the TD1 facility shown in Figure 7 and Appendix A so that it
provides storage for at least 5–7 years’ worth of production from the gold ore treatment facility.
To achieve this, TCMG propose to establish new perimeter embankments that satisfy
contemporary engineering standards and support the most appropriate footprint/rehabilitation
program going forward. The proposal is that the western cell be redeveloped and filled first as
illustrated in Figure 8 and Appendix A. Development of the eastern cell would not occur until
some years into the processing campaign.
Tailings discharge into the facility will be via spigots located around the facility perimeter in a
manner that locates the supernatant pond centrally. A central decant shall be established to
reclaim water as appropriate.
Initial water balance models indicate that the facility will be in water deficit. These models will
need to be refined once full-scale operations commence.
The proposal does not include cyanide destruction in the process flow sheet. TCMG anticipate a
weak-acid-dissociable cyanide concentration of less than 150ppm in the supernatant water.
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Figure 7: Location of TD1 complex
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The TD1 complex is divided into two cells TD1 West and TD1 East as illustrated in Figure
8.
Figure 8: Configuration of TD1 complex
Develop new water and wastewater services TCMG proposes to develop a range of new water facilities to support the gold ore treatment
business.
The infrastructure associated with the Wiso wellfield that previously supplied the Warrego site
has been allowed to decline to the point where it is not viable to refurbish or recommission the
field. TCMG propose to establish a new raw water supply by exploiting the substantial resource
available in the Warrego underground mine workings. TCMG propose to install submersible
pumps in the still accessible Warrego main shaft. Water quality monitoring indicates that
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although of moderate salinity, the water will be suitable for direct use as process water in the
ore treatment circuit.
TCMG also propose to develop a potable water treatment facility. Raw water will be treated with
resin softening and reverse osmosis (RO) to provide a potable water supply to the ore treatment
facility. A package treatment plant will be commissioned to perform this duty. Reject brine from
the RO will be directed to tailings for final disposal.
Develop new electrical power services
TCMG propose to develop a range of new power facilities to support the gold treatment
business.
TCMG propose to establish a new on-site generation station powered by diesel engines. The
station shall comprise four 700kVa units running in parallel. The units will be located at the gold
ore treatment plant and will feed directly into the existing 415V distribution network.
TCMG propose to refurbish and recommission the existing bulk diesel fuel storage. The existing
tank farm comprises a fleet of steel tanks located within an earthen bund system.
TCMG propose to establish a number of small (<100kVa) diesel-powered generation stations
around the site to provide electrical power to various pump stations.
Recommission the existing industrial landfill at Warrego
TCMG propose to recommission the existing industrial landfill.
A permanent on-site waste disposal site will be required for the disposal waste during the
refurbishment and operational activities. An existing landfill site within the ML30888 is illustrated
in Figure 3. The typical waste stream proposed to be disposed of into the landfill include:
Domestic waste streams such as wastes from crib room bins including food scraps and plastics;
and waste from office bins including plastics, cardboard, glass and non-recyclable paper.
Listed waste streams such as empty acid containers; empty detergent/sanitiser containers;
grease trap residues; empty solvent containers; empty paint tins; containers that have contained
caustic solutions, laboratory solutions, oxidising agents, reducing agents, resins, pesticides or
herbicides, alkalis, surfactants and aerosol lubricants; rubber and synthetic polymer liners and
other miscellaneous rubber and synthetic polymer products excluding tyres and any other waste
for which written agreement for disposal had been obtained from the administering authority.
The following waste streams shall NOT be DISPOSED in the site landfill: hazardous wastes not
listed above; liquid or semi-solid wastes including sewage slurry, black water, sewage treatment
sludge; medical waste; hydrocarbon products; and contaminated soil with hydrocarbon or
chemicals.
Disposal of these wastes shall comply with legislation and licences and will not impact human
health and the environment.
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Rationale and future developments
The Project proposed in this MMP will have significant implications for the wider Tennant Creek
mineral field. TCMG proposes to operate the Warrego gold mill as a toll treatment facility under
commercial terms. They therefore seek to stimulate and encourage further exploration for gold
by other operators across the local area.
In addition to providing stable and high paying jobs in the Tennant Creek region, TCMG also
hope to help build the skills and capacity base of the local economy that in turn will foster
further local development.
The primary plan is to recommission the gold ore treatment plant and operate it for a period of
5 years. This period is based upon current known ore reserves in the local area. TCMG hope that
local mining operators are successful in identifying and developing additional sources of ore
that can be treated at the Warrego gold ore treatment plant.
The presence of a fully functioning gold ore treatment facility along with an established
workforce including technical and engineering staff will enable a number of longer term
opportunities to be considered and perhaps acted upon. These may include:
Increasing the capacity of the Warrego plant to treat gold at a greater rate.
Development of a copper flotation circuit that would enable the Warrego plant to treat
gold/copper as well as copper ores.
Detailed investigation into the retreatment and sale of the material located in the bismuth oxy-
chloride dam.
Detailed investigation into the retreatment and potential sale of the magnetite and other base
metals included in the TD2/3/4 complex.
Site Conditions
Physical environment
Climate
The closest long-term weather station to the Project site is the Tennant Creek Airport, site
number 015135 (413700mE 7829440mN; GDA94_Zone 53) located 37km southeast of the
Warrego site
The climate of the Tennant Creek region is described as a typical sub-arid climate, with a cool
winter from May to September (with occasional rainfall as a result of southern frontal activity)
and a hot summer from October to April (with more humid conditions and rainfall from
northern monsoons, typically in January and February). The prevailing wind direction in the
region is east to southeast throughout the year. The highest rainfall usually falls from November
to March. The amount of rainfall in any one year is dependent on the degree to which the
monsoon influence penetrates inland.
The Tennant Creek area in central Australia is very dry and therefore experiences a high rate of
evaporation (approximately 3,600mm); therefore, little permanent surface water remains from
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one wet season to the next. Droughts are common to the region and may persist for several
years. The average maximum and minimum daily air temperatures, average monthly rainfall and
9.00 am and 3.00 pm humidity levels and wind speed data for Tennant Creek are presented in
Table 3.
Analysis by Groundwater Resource Management (2009) reported the regional maximum 6-
minute intensity rainfall data recorded from the Tennant Creek Airport was 192mm/hr on 9
February 1982. The authors indicated this short duration rainfall intensity in excess of 150mm/hr
is potentially indicative of rainfall intensities that might be experienced within the region and
concluded that this intensity has an average recurrence interval ARI in excess of 50 years.
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Table 3: Meteorological data for Tennant Creek Airport
Statistics Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Years
Temperature
Mean maximum
temperature (°C)
36.6 35.7 34.5 31.8 27.7 24.6 24.7 27.5 31.7 34.9 36.5 37.1 31.9 49 1969–2018
Mean minimum
temperature (°C)
24.9 24.4 23.3 20.4 16.4 12.9 12.3 14.4 18.4 21.7 23.8 24.8 19.8 49 1969–2018
Rainfall
Mean rainfall (mm) 119.3 118.7 53.6 16.4 8.2 5.5 5.4 2.5 7.7 19.2 41.5 76.0 476.8 49 1969–2018
Decile 5 (median)
rainfall (mm) 93.2 71.2 29.4 2.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.2 12.0 37.2 49.2 438.5 49 1969–2018
Mean number of days
of rain ≥ 1 mm 7.8 7.6 4.3 1.5 1.0 0.6 0.5 0.4 1.2 2.7 4.1 6.2 37.9 49 1969–2018
Other daily elements
Mean daily sunshine
(hours) 9.2 9.1 9.2 9.8 9.7 9.8 10.2 10.6 10.2 10.1 9.8 9.4 9.8 47 1969–2017
Mean number of clear
days 6.5 5.5 11.0 15.5 18.7 20.5 23.2 23.0 20.5 17.2 11.4 8.0 181.0 41 1969–2010
Mean number of cloudy
days 12.4 11.7 8.9 5.3 4.3 2.6 1.9 1.7 2.5 4.5 6.1 10.1 72.0 41 1969–2010
9 am conditions
Mean 9am temperature
(°C) 29.2 28.4 27.1 24.3 19.9 16.2 15.8 18.6 23.2 27.0 29.1 29.8 24.0 41 1969–2010
Mean 9am relative
humidity (%) 50 54 46 38 40 42 38 31 28 29 34 42 39 41 1969–2010
Mean 9am wind speed
(km/h) 16.9 16.8 19.6 23.7 24.7 24.3 23.7 25.2 25.6 24.9 21.7 18.4 22.1 42 1969–2010
3 pm conditions
Mean 3pm temperature
(°C) 35.3 34.4 33.4 30.8 26.9 23.8 23.9 26.6 30.6 33.6 35.2 35.7 30.9 41 1969–2010
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Statistics Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Years
Mean 3pm relative
humidity (%) 32 35 29 26 26 26 22 18 17 18 21 26 25 41 1969–2010
Mean 3pm wind speed
(km/h) 15.5 16.0 17.6 17.3 16.7 16.4 15.5 16.1 16.0 14.6 13.9 14.3 15.8 41 1969–2010
red = highest value blue = lowest value
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Land systems
Topography and geology Gold and copper-gold deposits discovered in the Tennant Creek gold field to date are hosted in
the Lower Proterozoic Warramunga Formation; a metamorphosed (greenschist facies)
greywacke-siltstone-shale sedimentary sequence that usually displays a pronounced east-west
cleavage. Ore occurs adjacent to steeply dipping, lenticular or pipe-like magnetite/haematite-
chlorite-quartz bodies (‘ironstone’) that are found along east-west trending structures. It is
generally thought that the magnetite/haematite was hydrothermally formed in dilation zones
along the controlling structures and that the deposition of gold, sulfides and associated
alteration minerals was a later event with mineralisation possibly being derived from a different
source but following the same structurally controlled path. In plan view, the ironstone bodies
tend to be narrowest in the north-south direction and elongated east west, reflecting the
regional cleavage and shearing. Ore grades may occur over substantial vertical intervals of an
ironstone pipe or lens, but are not expected to occur over the entire length.
The topography of the area generally comprises essentially flat plains with occasional rounded
to steep sided hills some 20 to 30m above the surrounding plains.
Topsoil and subsoil The proposed refurbishment activities at the Project site will be the first stage in the
recommencement of ore processing activities at Warrego. The proposed Project is not likely to
generate any new disturbance of soils on site.
The Project site is located on an alluvial plain to the south of the Short Range, in an ephemeral
drainage system. Drainage lines, which trend in a southerly direction, are poorly developed and
become less defined with distance from the Short Range.
Soils in the area are Red Kandosols (Isbell, 1996). The soils of the area are highly leached, lacking
in phosphorous and nitrogen, and low in nutrient value. Topsoil cover is generally in the order of
5–10cm thick. However, topsoil has been stripped from the area inside the Project area. The
regolith consists of up to 3m of alluvium overlying approximately 30m of deeply weathered
siltstone.
Hydrology The Project site lies within a shallow, south-easterly sloping ‘low’ in the regional topography.
Because of its topographical position, the area is prone to flooding during the wet season.
Within the site, drainage is artificial and a product of previous historical site development
activities. Extensive bunding has been built to the north and east of the plant site to isolate the
Project site from runoff by diverting overland flow. Surface water drainage lines are limited to
two shallow, partly rock armoured, drainage lines that redirect water deflected by the bunds.
One of these drainage lines is located at the south-eastern end of the bund and the other at the
western end.
Groundwater encountered in monitoring bores on the site has been recorded to depths of
27.45m below the surface and is generally saline.
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Water that will be used as part of the refurbishment activities at the Project site will be sourced
from the historical Warrego mine also located on ML3088.
Flora and fauna
The Project site was cleared of native vegetation prior to construction of the historical Warrego
facilities. Previous owners of the site have undertaken revegetation activities with varying
degrees of success in some areas of the site as infrastructure was decommissioned and removed
and stockpiles relocated (Giants Reef Mining Limited, 2003).
Survey of the site undertaken by Hollingsworth (2000) described the vegetation community at
the nearby Warrego township as Acacia woodland, dominated by Mulga (Acacia aneura). The
vegetation communities located outside the Project area are characterised by scattered open
woodland over-storey of Snappy Gum (Eucalyptus leucophloia) community with a Spinifex
(Triodia pungens and Plectrachne pungens) open hummock grassland lower storey and ground
cover.
Hollingsworth (2000) describes the region as containing a range of native fauna owing to the
area being in a transitional zone from the high summer rainfall northern area to the low,
increasingly winter rainfall of the southern semi-arid area. The area hosts a wide range of local
bird species and, during the wet season, may also host migratory birds from the northern
coastal region (Fowler et al., 1998).
Given the level of current and previous disturbance to the site, and the absence of vegetation
communities likely to support threatened species, the potential for species of conservation
significance to be found over the Project area is considered unlikely.
Phillip Creek Station surrounds the WGOTP site, which is an operating cattle station. A stock
fence is installed around the perimeter of the lease to exclude cattle from the lease area.
Weeds Any weed infestations on the project will be managed in accordance with the Weed Management Act 2001, through the implementation of a Weed Management Plan.
Socio-economic environment The Project site is located on NT Portion 00408, PPL946 that forms part of Phillip Creek Station.
Cattle grazing activities are carried out surrounding the Project site as part of the Phillip Creek
Station.
The Tennant Creek region has had a history of gold and copper mining from 1934 to 2006 and
owes its partial existence as an established township to support this mining activity. The mining
history of the region also facilitates tourism by drawing tourists to the district.
The refurbishment of the gold ore treatment facility will provide much needed local employment
and will also generate a cash flow for TCMG. This will facilitate additional exploration within the
Tennant Creek region, which will enable it to maintain and increase its
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current support for the Tennant Creek community. The increase in exploration activities will
potentially increase the likelihood of discovering new mineral deposits.
Current land use
The Project site is located wholly within NT Portion 00408, PPL946, Phillip Creek Station and has
been previously used as the Warrego Ore Treatment Plant and Warrego mine and associated
mining and processing infrastructure as illustrated in Figure 6.
Current surrounding land use includes cattle grazing activities associated with the surrounding
Phillip Creek Station.
Identified stakeholders and consultation
TCMG as the new owner of ML30888 has identified a number of key stakeholders of the
Warrego Project. These are listed in Table 4.
As a new operator in the district, TCMG has taken steps to ensure that they have made
themselves known to as many of the stakeholders as possible. To date, TCMG personnel have
engaged in direct communications with the stakeholders detailed in Table 4.
Table 4: Stakeholders identified as part of the Project MMP
stakeholder consultation
Phillip Creek Station, Sandy
and Katherine Warby (parcel
00408).
Initial meetings held at the Phillips Creek Homestead.
Key issues identified as boundary fencing, weeds and local water
resources.
In principle agreement to operate pursuant to the Emmerson
Resources Land Access Agreement; however, this will need to be
formalised during the term of this MMP.
The Central Land Council (CLC) TCMG met with representatives of CLC at their Alice Springs
office in July 2018. This included a briefing of the plans at
Warrego as well as the wider Tennant Creek mineral field.
In principle agreement was reached to convene a liaison
committee meeting in October.
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stakeholder consultation
Mungalawurra community Mungalawurra community share the sealed access road
(Warrego Road) that leads to the main gate into the Warrego
site and the dirt road beyond the Warrego Mill and mine site
(which was built as the Wiso borefield access road and was
subsequently used to found their community).
Department of Industry
Tourism and Trade (DITT)
Discussions during initial project approval phase, continued
consultation via annual MMPs. A number of formal meetings
held to discuss project outcomes.
MMP to be submitted to address DITT requirements
Department of Environment,
Parks & Water Security
(DEPWS)
Consulted on an as needs basis to inform project approvals
requirements.
Department of Infrastructure,
Planning and Logistics
(Transport, Lands and
Planning)
Traffic management and road planning requirements for the
Project.
Department of Attorney-
General (NT Worksafe)
Asbestos removal and disposal and site operational status.
Tennant Creek Town Council Discussions during initial project approval phase. Site progress
briefings CEO to occur on a routine basis. Key issues include use
of local service providers and housing pressure.
Member for Barkley TCMGwill undertake briefings with the Member on a routine
basis
Since becoming active in the local area, TCMG has engaged the services of a number of local
businesses involved in building services, catering, and transport and logistics. TCMG has opened
an office at 17 Brown Street in Tennant Creek.
The Tennant Creek township is 55km away and hence no information sessions are planned for
the town community.
Details of stakeholder correspondence will be provided in subsequent MMPs as the process
occurs.
Workforce description and demography
It is anticipated that during refurbishment activities the Project workforce at the site will number
up to 50 personnel including contractors. TCMG’s preference will be to utilise local trades
people and contractors where available. Building services trades (electricians, plumbers and
refrigeration mechanics) are available locally but lack of mining activity in the Tennant Creek
mineral field in recent years has led to a decline in industrial trades skills such as boilermakers
and fixed plant fitters. TCMG expect that during the refurbishment works, more than 50% of the
workforce will be engaged on a FIFO basis. These services are readily available in Darwin.
During operational activities, it is anticipated the workforce will consist of approximately 30–50
company and contractor personnel. Previous mining activity in Tennant Creek has resulted in a
rich skills base of plant operators and maintainers. Many of these people are now involved in
other pursuits but TCMG hope to achieve a 50% locally domiciled operations workforce. The
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expectation is that technical and management staff will primarily be domiciled in Darwin or Alice
Springs and be engaged on a FIFO arrangement.
Community affairs
As discussed in section 2.2, the Tennant Creek region has a rich history of gold and copper
mining and processing from 1934 to 2006. The township owes its partial existence to the
previous mineral exploration, mining and processing activities, a history that now draws tourists
to the region. The refurbishment of the Project site has the potential to provide much needed
local employment during the overhaul phase as well as generate a cash flow for TCMG. This will
enable TCMG to develop its current support for and within the Tennant Creek community and
will also increase expenditure on mining, processing and exploration (thereby increasing the
likelihood of discovering new mineral deposits in the Tennant Creek Mineral Field), leaving a
positive impact long after processing at the Project site has been completed.
Statutory and Non-statutory Requirements
Statutory requirements
This MMP has been developed as required under the Mining Management Act 2018 (NT) and
has been collated in accordance with section 40 of the Act to ensure that the required
information is provided to the DITT for assessment. The Mining Management Act is the key piece
of legislation for the Project; however, other legislation which is also applicable and with which
TCMG will be required to comply with includes:
Mining Management Act 2018 (NT)
Mineral Titles Act 2016 (NT)
Bushfires Management Act 2016 (NT)
Environmental Assessment Act 2013 (NT)
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)
Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 2016 (NT)
Environmental Offences and Penalties Act 2011 (NT)
Heritage Act 2016 (NT)
Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 2013 (Sacred Sites Act) (NT)
Weeds Management Act 2013 (NT)
Water Act 2016 (NT)
Soil Conservation and Land Utilisation Act 2016 (NT)
Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2014 (NT)
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2016 (NT)
Dangerous Goods Act 2012 (NT)
Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2016 (NT)
Non-statutory obligations In addition to statutory obligations, there are also a number of non-statutory obligations
relating to the Project.
TCMG will work to ensure common interests in the project are satisfied and ensure concerns
raised or complaints received are responded to and resolved. A number of non-government
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organisations have an interest in the Project, and TCMG will work with these organisations,
where required, to ensure the best outcome from the Project for all parties. These organisations
include:
Central Land Council.
Northern Territory Division of the Minerals Council of Australia.
Fire and Emergency Response Groups.
Sacred, archaeological and heritage sites
Sacred sites
There are no sacred sites within the Project site as defined by the ML30888 boundaries. An
AAPA certificate (C2003/081) that covers ML30888 was obtained by Giants Reef in 2003. It is
known that there are culturally significant trees (5659-020 to 5659-022) along the Wiso Road to
the west of the Project site (Table 5).
TCMG commit to hold regular liaison meetings with Traditional Owners (facilitated by the CLC).
In a meeting held with the CLC and TCMG in July 2018 the proposal to recommence treatment
of gold bearing ore from within the Tennant Creek Region was tabled at the meeting and
welcomed very positively by the Traditional Owners.
Table 5: Aboriginal culturally significant trees
REF# Name Northing
(AMG)
EASTING
(AMG) Nature Comments
5659-020
Lungku II
7849927
371857
Lightning
Dreaming
Tree
On the northern side of
Wiso Road, west of
Warrego. Damaged
during grading works in
1996.
5659-021
Bilba
7850645
360059
Lightning
Dreaming
Tree
On the southern side of
Wiso road, west of
Warrego. Destroyed
during grading works in
1996.
5659-022
Lungku I
7849762
373536
Lightning
Dreaming
Tree
On the northern side of
Wiso road, west of
Warrego.
Heritage and archaeological sites
The headframe over the historical Warrego underground mine is now heritage listed and will
remain under ‘care and maintenance’ during the term of this MMP. The headframe is located
away from the area of operations and will not be impacted by any refurbishment activities or
operations proposed in this MMP.
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Operational Activities All activities proposed to be undertaken at ML30888 during the term of this MMP have been
arranged into four programs. These are the exploration and mineral development program, the
care and maintenance program, the operations program and the closure works and studies
program.
Exploration and mineral development program
For the term of this plan, TCMG does not propose to undertake any exploration or mineral
development on the Project site. Historically, the Warrego mine was a substantial poly-
metalliferous mineral resource with the lease area remaining highly prospective. TCMG commit
to undertaking a review of existing historical exploration data during the 2018–19 period;
however, exploration activities would not likely be undertaken until such time as refurbishment
activities had been completed. Any exploration activities would be the subject to a future MMP
amenDITTnt application covering exploration activities for the Project site.
Care and maintenance program The purpose of the care and maintenance program is to maintain compliance with the various
legal and other obligations that apply at the Project site. To achieve this purpose, four broad
objectives have been defined. These are to:
Ensure public safety by excluding non-essential personnel from the property.
Protect the environmental values of the receiving environment, particularly in the dimensions of
water quality and the impact of exotic species.
Meet regulatory requirements.
Sustain and maintain the asset suite.
To achieve these objectives, the care and maintenance program has been divided into five
elements. Each element has been designed to address a particular strategic need relating to a
key risk area. Table 6 lists these elements and describes the activities that TCMG proposes to
undertake during the term of this and future MMPs.
Table 6: Care and maintenance work program
Aspect Strategic
Approach
Activities PROPOSED for this MMP Works for Future MMP
Operations Refurbishment Commissioning
Site Security and Exclude stock Assess adequacy Repair fences to Develop and execute
Safety and the general of site fencing to exclude stock plan to exclude access
public from exclude stock from site. to shafts and
ML30888. Assess adequacy
of site signage
subsidence zones on
the Warrego site. and gates to
exclude public.
Water Implement active Assess Review Water Execute groundwater
Management control of groundwater Management Plan and surface water
contaminated quality monitoring integrating quality monitoring
water streams to arrangements and commissioning programs.
ensure recommend data. Review water balance
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Aspect Strategic
Approach
Activities PROPOSED for this MMP Works for Future MMP
Operations Refurbishment Commissioning
protection of the
receiving
environment.
future
improvements.
Undertake two
rounds of
groundwater
quality
monitoring.
Develop water
balance for TD1
complex during
operations phase.
Develop Water
Management Plan
for Warrego.
model within 12
months of operations
commencing.
Land and
Biodiversity
Management
Undertake
activities to
exclude exotic
flora (weeds) and
fauna (pigs,
goats) as
responsible
landholders
within a pastoral
context.
Assess site for
invasive weeds.
Undertake
campaign to
control exotic
weeds targeting
rubber bush.
TCMG will
develop a Land
and Biodiversity
Management Plan
for Tennant Creek.
Undertake annual
review and control of
exotic weeds on site.
Non-Mineral
Waste
Management
Adopt hierarchy
of waste
principles and
ensure
environmental
protection.
Invite contractors
to site to assess
scrap steel
inventory at site.
Operate on-site landfill.
Environmental
Management
System
Take a
systematic and
risk-based
approach to
environmental
management.
Develop suite of
environmental
housekeeping
inspections for
Warrego.
Undertake two
environmental
inspections.
Review
Environmental
Aspects &
Undertake six
environmental
inspections/annum.
Review Aspects and
Impacts Register
(annually).
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Aspect Strategic
Approach
Activities PROPOSED for this MMP Works for Future MMP
Operations Refurbishment Commissioning
Impacts Register.
Regulatory
Management
Maintain
compliance with
all applicable
laws and
licenses.
Register for
NGERS/NPI etc.
Prepare 2019
MMP.
Submit annual returns
as appropriate (NGERS,
NPI).
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Operations program The operations program proposed for implementation at the Project site will involve the
refurbishment of the gold processing facilities and critical supporting infrastructure as
summarised in Table 7. The refurbishment works are anticipated to take approximately 9 months
to complete.
Following the refurbishment activities, the Project will enter its planned 5–7 year operational
phase. TCMG have estimated that approximately 1.5MT of ore will be processed during the 5-
year operational phase and are proposing an operational throughput at the refurbished gold
processing plant of 300KT/annum.
Upon the completion of the operational phase, the Project site will then be placed in a 3-year
care and maintenance program, followed by site closure.
As discussed in section 4, TCMG will only be responsible for the refurbishment of the following
site areas and infrastructure detailed below. Figure 3 illustrates the operational areas that TCMG
will utilise during the refurbishment phase of the project.
Table 7: Operations work program
Aspect Strategic
Approach
Activities PROPOSED for this MMP Works for Future
MMP
Operations
Refurbishment Commissioning
Gold Ore Refurbish, Undertake mechanical Undertake mechanical Undertake
Treatment operate and and electrical and electrical repairs mechanical and
Facility – maintain the refurbishment works as required to support electrical repairs
Refurbishment Warrego gold
ore treatment
as required to return
the plant to an
plant commissioning to fixed crushing
circuit and fine facility to operable condition. ore bin.
achieve the Focus on critical items Complete non-
nameplate critical repairs to
300KT/annum structural
throughput supports and
concrete
bunding as
required.
Gold Ore Undertake Process circa 50KT of Process circa
Treatment operational readiness ore to commission 330KT/annum of
Facility – activities including plant ore
Operations workforce readiness
and assignment of
operational spares
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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Aspect Strategic
Approach
Activities PROPOSED for this MMP Works for Future
MMP
Operations
Refurbishment Commissioning
TD1 Develop, Undertake Develop the Stage 1 Manage the
maintain and geotechnical northern and supernatant
operate the TD1 investigations at TD1. southern inventory to an
complex to Complete a detailed embankments of TD1 appropriate risk
support design of the stage 1 (West) to design level.
processing TD1 (West) Discharge 50000KT to Develop the
operations for at Embankments. TD1 (East) Stage 1 TD1
least 5 years Develop the Stage 1 Establish a TSF (East)
western embankment Management Plan embankments.
of TD1 (West) to Develop the
design. Stage 2 TD1
embankments.
Water Services Develop, Install dewatering Extract
maintain and equipment into the approximately
operate a Warrego 400ML/annum of
process and underground water from the
potable water workings Warrego
supply to Install and underground
support the commission a workings
Warrego gold packaged potable Produce
ore treatment water treatment plant approximately
facility Install septic waste- 2.5ML/annum of
water treatment potable water to
system including plant.
irrigation
Energy Services Develop, Operate circa 100kVa Operate 3–4 ×
maintain and gensets at the mill. 700kVa gen-sets
operate an Refurbish the existing to deliver
electrical energy fuel storage facility. approximately
supply to Install a new LPG 720MWhr at
support the storage facility at the 415V.
Warrego gold mill.
ore treatment
facility
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Operational performance
Table 8 provides a summary of proposed performance objectives for the term of this MMP.
Table 8: Performance objectives for the MMP
Operational Activities DEtails Completion
Period
Exploration and minerals development
Data Review Undertaking a review of the Project area’s historical
exploration data
MMP end of
term
Care and maintenance
Site Security and Safety Assess adequacy of site fencing to exclude stock
MMP end of
term
Assess adequacy of site signage and gates to exclude
public.
Water Management Assess groundwater quality monitoring arrangements
and recommend future improvements. Undertake two rounds of groundwater quality
monitoring. Develop water balance for TD1 complex during
operations phase. Develop Water MP for Warrego.
Land and Biodiversity
Management Assess site for invasive weeds
Undertake campaign to control exotic weeds targeting
Rubber Bush Develop Land and Biodiversity Management Plan for
Tennant Creek
Non-Mineral Waste
Management Invite contractors to site to assess scrap
Environmental
Management System Develop suite of environmental housekeeping
inspections for Warrego
Undertake two environmental inspections
Review Environmental Aspects and Impacts Register
Regulatory
Management
Register for NGERS/NPI etc
Prepare 2019 MMP
Operations
Gold Ore Treatment
Facility – Refurbishment
Undertake mechanical and electrical refurbishment
works as required to return the plant to an operable
condition. Focus on critical items.
End of MMP
term Gold Ore Treatment
Facility – Operations
Undertake operational readiness activities including
workforce readiness and assignment of operational
spares
TD1 Undertake geotechnical investigations at TD1
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Operational Activities DEtails Completion
Period
Complete a detailed design of the stage 1 TD1 (West)
Embankments
Develop the Stage 1 western embankment of TD1
(West) to design
Water Services Install dewatering equipment into the Warrego
underground workings
Install and commission a packaged potable water
treatment plant
Install septic waste-water treatment system including
irrigation
Energy Services Operate circa 100kVa gensets at the mill.
Refurbish the existing fuel storage facility
Install a new LPG storage facility at the mill
Closure works and studies
The purpose of the closure works and studies program is to define the activities specifically
related to decommissioning of the lease area. The site’s history means that ML30888 affords
some particular challenges regarding lease relinquishment that TCMG will need to engage with
various stakeholders, most notably DITT.
During the term of this plan, TCMG proposes to focus on getting the project up and running
and therefore defer significant works in this program area.
Environmental Management Program
1.1. Organisational structure of environmental responsibility
The environmental management responsibilities at the Project will fall within the following
organisational structure. Specific areas of responsibility are described in Table 9.
An Environmental Management role will be recruited for, with responsibilities as outlined in
Table 9. The Environmental Manager will be answerable to the Health, Safety and Environment
(HSE) Officer.
The HSE Officer will have environmental responsibilities as outlined in Table 9 and be
answerable to the Warrego site manager.
Table 9: Environmental management responsibilities at WGOTP
Personnel responsibility
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Personnel responsibility
Health, Safety and Environment
Officer
Compliance with Environmental Management Plans
Achieving the commitments outlined in the MMP
Ensuring the environmental outcomes in the MMP are
achieved
Responsible for adhering to the Health and Safety
obligations on site as set out in Work Health and Safety
(National Uniform Legislation) Act and associated
regulations.
Environmental Manager Environmental compliance tasks
Monthly environmental reports
Executing pre-closure planning tasks for environmental
remediation in good time
Implementation of Environmental Management Plans
Environmental incident response
Environmental policy and responsibilities TCMG’s activities will be carried out so as to protect the health of management, staff,
employees, contractors, key stakeholders and community while paying proper regard to the
protection and management of the environment. The primary goal of TCMG’s operations is to
maintain the highest environmental standards. TCMG’s Environmental Policy is presented below:
Ensure compliance with applicable Northern Territory and Commonwealth laws, regulations,
guidelines and procedures.
Establish procedures to ensure effective implementation of its policy.
Provide adequate environmental training and guidance to its employees.
Instil a culture of continuous improvement through setting and reviewing targets, auditing and
reporting environmental performance.
Undertake regular consultation with project stakeholders (both local and regulatory
departments) to discuss any of their environmental concerns.
TCMG expects all employees and contractors to:
Comply with TCMG’s implemented environmental management policies and regulations.
Review and strive to improve environmental practice.
Report all environmental incidents to their immediate managers.
Identify and address environmental concerns through open and honest consultation with local
community members and government departments.
1.2. Environmental commitments
1.2.1. Commitments contained in this MMP
The environmental commitments contained in this MMP are split into the environmental
domains detailed in Table 10 of this report.
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1.2.2. Establishing environmental commitments
To identify environmental commitments appropriate to the Project, TCMG conducted an
environmental risk assessment for the activities inherent for the Project. That risk assessment
process is included in section 5.6.2 of this report titled ‘Risk assessment’. The commitments
relate directly to the environmental risks assessed for the Project. Where a risk is identified,
mitigation strategies are detailed in the Implementation, Monitoring and Review section of this
report. The environmental commitments are a step further in the risk assessment process–a
commitment to not allow the identified impact to take place.
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Table 10: Environmental commitments of the Project
commitment
reference
environmental
management issue
commitment due date performance against commitment
W_01 Vegetation clearing
adversely impacts fauna at
the site.
Adverse impacts to fauna at Warrego
caused by vegetation clearing will be
minimised as much as possible through
the implementation of a Land Clearance
Procedure formulated in accordance with
the NT Government Land Clearing
Guidelines – Northern Territory Planning
Scheme (NRETAS, 2010).
The Land Clearing
Procedure must be
finalised before the
onset of clearing for
construction
activities.
Fauna spotter catchers will be retained for vegetation
clearing.
A fauna spotter catcher report will be available post
clearance.
W_02 Vehicle strikes kill or injure
fauna at site.
TCMG will implement speed limits on site
access roads and tracks and restrict traffic
travelling off main site roads to avoid
collision with fauna. Staff will be educated
to avoid risk of collision and measures to
be taken should an incident occur.
Speed limits will be
set when roads are
constructed and
maintained on an
ongoing basis
through the life of
the Project.
Fauna education will be provided to all staff.
Site incident reports can be reviewed.
Speed limit signs will be installed and road speed
restrictions implemented. Speed limit signs in place.
W_03 Soil disturbance and traffic
movement may result in
the potential for increased
occurrence of weeds on
site.
TCMG will implement the weed and pest
management plan in accordance with the
MMP, which includes ensuring vehicles and
equipment are clean prior to accessing the
site and ensuring that weed eradication
programs are undertaken if required.
Ongoing during the
life of the
operations.
Weeds will be well controlled on site.
No new species identified in closure rehabilitation
that may be a result of mining activities.
W_04 Adverse effects on
local/regional air quality as
a result of airborne dust
associated with the
proposed project.
TCMG will implement speed limits on site
access roads and tracks and run water
carts during operations to reduce the
intensity of vehicle-generated dust.
Ongoing during the
life of operations.
No environmental nuisance complaints received by
TCMG in relation to dust or airborne contaminants.
Dust suppression is undertaken during operations.
W_05 Contaminated or sediment TCMG will reinstate sediment basins on Erosion and Sediment basin(s) will be constructed promptly during
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laden runoff from site to
the receiving environment.
Potential to decrease water
quality and impact on
aquatic flora and fauna.
site to capture all potentially contaminated
or sediment-laden stormwater from the
leaving the site.
TCMG will install erosion and sediment
control infrastructure around the site.
Sediment Control
(ESC) measures
must be
implemented prior
to the
commencement of
reprocessing
operations.
the refurbishment phase.
Stormwater runoff from the project areas will be
captured in the sediment basins.
W_06 Impacts to the receiving
environment from
hydrocarbon/chemical
spills.
TCMG will ensure that all hydrocarbons
and chemicals are stored in appropriately
bunded areas as per Australian and State
Standards and Regulations and implement
a spill response procedure to ensure
immediate clean-up of spills on site.
Before
commencement of
operations and
during operations.
Visual inspections show all chemicals stored in an
appropriately sized bund (110% of largest container)
or self-bunded.
W_07 Impacts to local
groundwater posed by
refurbishment activities.
TCMG will ensure that impacts to
groundwater are minimised long term for
both the duration of operations and post
mine closure until such a time as they
relinquish the mining lease.
During
refurbishment and
operations.
Groundwater monitoring will routinely be undertaken
as part of the operational activities onsite.
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Environmental training and education All TCMG employees and contractor personnel will be informed of the environmental issues of
the Project and issued appropriate instructions in an induction before commencing work on site.
Contractors are required to produce documentation of their environmental credentials.
Environmental induction documentation and will be made available for inspection at TCMG’s
Tennant Creek office and the Project site office.
All TCMG employees are provided with environmental induction training on joining the
company. Issues are specific to each operational site and are the subject of additional induction
training, prior to commencement of an employee at each project area. All staff and contractors
working in the proximity to Aboriginal sites of significance are provided with maps or shown the
sites locality from a distance and asked to avoid such areas.
Short-term contract personnel such as field support staff, contractors and local earth moving
contractors are also given an environmental induction as part of a general site safety induction.
The induction is undertaken prior to commencement of work activities. The induction is related
to the relevant work area and activities to be undertaken.
Training is provided to staff and contractors regarding the potential occurrence and
identification of native fauna. Staff and contractors are asked to avoid disturbing native fauna
species and to inform the site/project manager of any sightings.
During refurbishment activities, a weekly toolbox meeting is planned to be undertaken on the
work site where environmental issues and concerns are discussed and reported. Induction
training includes:
Environmental responsibilities and duty of care.
Company policies, practices and procedures.
Environmental awareness.
Specific environmental issues covered in the induction include:
Minimising soil disturbance.
Washing down of vehicles to avoid the spread of noxious weeds (vehicle wash down area is at
the TCMG’s house/workshop in Tennant Creek on Brown Street. This area is paved and is
monitored for weeds).
Restricting travel through the lease area to existing tracks to minimise disturbance.
Avoiding travel on wet muddy tracks after rains to maintain the integrity of the tracks.
Carrying any rubbish away and not burning it.
Storing chemicals and their containers away from surface or groundwater.
Cleaning up chemical and oil spills and removing all contaminated ground material;
Inductees are required to sign a record of induction that is filed on site at Tennant Creek.
Literature detailing prominent invasive species likely to be present within the lease area will be
made available to staff and contractors during refurbishment activities.
Environmental emergency response training TCMG has developed an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP). An environmental
incident is defined as any sudden or unexpected event that results in a negative environmental
impact. All environmental incidents/emergencies such as major pollution incidents will be
reported to the NT Environment Protection Authority and the DITT in the NT. TCMG will contact
both of these government departments in the event of an emergency incident. The site General
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Manager will be responsible for delegating tasks to respond to the incident and
prevent/mitigate environmental harm. In general, the EPRP will endeavour to ensure:
A safe environment for all employees, contractors, visitors and neighbours.
That all activities are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner consistent with
environmental regulations, guidelines and best practice.
The identification and management of all significant environmental risks.
That the response to emergencies is predicted primarily on the preservation of human life and
the safety of emergency response personnel.
The containment of emergencies and their effects within facility boundaries.
Cooperation with external emergency response organisations.
A safe return to normal operations.
Implementation, monitoring and review
Identification of environmental aspects and impacts
The Project is a refurbishment project to be carried out on defined infrastructure assets in
ML30888 for the purpose of re-establishing gold processing activities at the historical Warrego
Ore Treatment Plant site. The refurbishment activities have a relatively low environmental
impact. Specific risks posed by the proposed project activities are identified in the next section
on risk assessment. These risks and the associated controls have inspired the environmental
commitments in Table 10 of this document.
Risk assessment
Risk assessment matrix
The risk assessment matrix used for the Project is based on the sample provided in the Template
for the Preparation of a Mining Management Plan. The key prompt to assessing a risk is the
likelihood that a particular event or issue will take place. The definitions of the likelihood of an
occurrence are included in Table 11 of this report.
Table 11: Definitions of likelihood of an incident occurring at the Project
measure of likelihood
Almost Certain Expected to occur in most circumstances.
Likely Will probably occur in most circumstances.
Possible Might possibly occur at some time.
Unlikely Could occur at some time.
Rare May occur only in exceptional circumstances.
As the likelihood of each event is assessed, so is the potential consequence of the event taking
place. The definition of the consequences used in this risk assessment is included in Table 12 of
this report.
Table 12: Definitions of consequence as it applies to risk assessment for the Project
measure of consequence
Catastrophic Environmental disaster.
Major Severe environmental damage.
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measure of consequence
Moderate Contained environmental impact.
Minor Some environmental impact.
Insignificant Low environmental impact.
The combined likelihood and consequence of an event result in a risk rating for that event. A
numerical rating is attributed to both the scale of likelihood and the scale of consequence of a
potential event. A matrix that demonstrates the combined scores from those scales is presented
in Table 13. Scoring risks allows them to be ranked in order of magnitude in terms of their need
for mitigation. The need for action on a potential event ranked by its risk score is presented in
Table 14.
Table 13: Risk assessment matrix used for the Project
Risk Assessment Matrix
LIKELIHOOD OF
OCCURRENCE
SEVERITY OF CONSEQUENCES
Catastrophic
(5)
Major
(4)
Moderate
(3)
Minor
(2)
Insignificant
(1)
Almost certain (5) 10 9 8 7 6
Likely (4) 9 8 7 6 5
Possible (3) 8 7 6 5 4
Unlikely (2) 7 6 5 4 3
Rare (1) 6 5 4 3 2
Table 14: Assessment of risk scores for the Project risk assessment
Risk Score Risk Rating Action Required
9 – 10 Extreme Immediate.
7 – 8 High Action plan required. Senior management attention.
5 – 6 Moderate Specific monitoring or procedures required.
2 – 4 Low Management through routine procedures.
Results of the environmental risk assessment for the Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Project The risk assessment conducted for WGOTP breaks risk into potential sources of environmental
harm and potential receptors of that environmental harm. Risks and impacts are identified and
mitigation strategies identified. Those mitigation strategies feed into the environmental
commitments table included as Table 10 of this report. These commitments are TCMG’s pledge
to not allow the environmental harm to occur and are reflective of the management and
mitigation strategies to be implemented at site.
Risk is broken into two project phases: refurbishment and commissioning. The refurbishment
and commissioning risks are identified in Table 15.
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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Table 15: Risk assessment for the Project for the refurbishment and commissioning phases: (L) = likelihood, (C) = consequence, (T) = total risk rating
potential impact event risk rating
control strategy
residual risk
rating monitoring and management
procedure
deadline for implementation
(L) (C) (T) (L) (C) (T)
Flora and Fauna
Vegetation clearing Fauna spotter catchers At the end of clearing, those The Land Clearance Procedure
resulting in injuries or will be utilised for spotter catchers will prepare a must be finalised before land
mortality of fauna and clearing events for major report for TCMG listing species clearing commences pre-
flora. 5 2 7
infrastructure domains.
All clearing will be 3 2 5
impacted, with outcomes
including relocation
construction. Fauna spotter
catchers must be utilised for all conducted in accordance pre-clearing, capture and land clearing operations.
with the TCMG Land releases during clearing,
Clearance Procedure. injuries and fatalities.
Native fauna death or Enforce speed limits on Continue to enforce speed Ongoing through the life of
injury due to vehicle site access roads. limits. refurbishment activities.
interaction.
3
2
5
Require an incident
report to be completed
2
2
4
Track incident reports of
vehicle interactions.
for all fauna interactions
resulting in vehicle
damage.
Soil disturbance and Implement weed Routine weed and seed Strategies and plans to be in place
traffic movement may management strategies. inspections of vehicles. before construction commences.
result in the potential Ensure vehicles travelling Weed management strategies Routine weed and seed
for increased from high risk areas are to be implemented on an inspections to be conducted
occurrence of weeds
on site. 5 3 8
washed down before
entering the site. 3 3 6
ongoing basis.
Local weed wash down
weekly.
Possible introduction of Restrict traffic access to facilities to be used when
new weed species and established roads and required.
increased weed density tracks only.
and occurrence. Local wash down
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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potential impact event risk rating control strategy residual risk
rating
monitoring and management
procedure deadline for implementation
facilities to be used if
available.
Air Quality
Adverse effects on
local/regional air
quality as a result of
airborne dust
associated with mining
operations
3
2
5
Speed limits to be
enforced on site roads
and access tracks to
reduce the intensity of
vehicle generated dust.
To reduce the amount of
dust on site, dust
suppression on site will
be through the use of a
dust polymer control
system, molasses or
other dust control
measures. This will also
result in a reduction in
the use of water alone
for dust suppression.
2
2
4
Management through routine
procedures.
A dust polymer, molasses diluted
in water or other suitable dust
control measure will be used for
dust suppression.
Water trucks for dust suppression
should begin operating at the
onset of refurbishment works.
Surface Water
Contaminated or
sediment laden runoff
from site to the
receiving environment.
Potential to decrease
water quality and
impact on aquatic flora
and fauna.
4
4
8
Re-establishment of a
sediment basin across
the TCMG control sites
to capture all potentially
contaminated or
sediment-laden water
from these sites.
Implementation of ESC
infrastructure and
maintenance procedures
1
3
4
Routine inspections of ESC
infrastructure to identify any
issues. Any issues to be
notified to the General
Manager and
replacement/repairs to be
undertaken as soon as
possible.
Water quality monitoring to be
undertaken following any
Site sediment basins and ESC
infrastructure must be
implemented prior to the
commencement of refurbishment
activities.
Site water management plan.
Inspections to continue on a
regular basis during refurbishment
operations.
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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potential impact event risk rating control strategy residual risk
rating
monitoring and management
procedure deadline for implementation
rainfall event.
Contaminated or
sediment laden runoff
from the outer batters
of TD1 to the receiving
environment. Potential
to decrease water
quality and impact
aquatic flora and fauna.
4
4
8
Construction of a
sediment basin at the
toe of TD1 to capture
potentially contaminated
or sediment-laden water
from the outer batters of
TD1.
Implementation of ESC
infrastructure and
maintenance measures.
2
4
6
Routine inspections of ESC
infrastructure to identify any
issues. Any issues to be
notified to the General
Manager and
replacement/repairs to be
undertaken as soon as
possible.
Water quality monitoring to be
undertaken following any
rainfall.
The TD1 sediment basin and ESC
infrastructure must be
implemented prior to the
commencement of refurbishment
activities.
Inspections to continue on a
regular basis during operations.
Engineering embankment to be
put in place.
Groundwater
Impacts to local
groundwater posed by
refurbishment activities
3
3
6
Inflow of water into TD1
will be monitored during
refurbishment and
commissioning activities.
3
2
5
Routine groundwater
monitoring will be conducted
quarterly to monitor baseline
concentrations of analytes.
Wet season rainfall will result in
temporary seepage from the
immediate vicinity of TD1
Groundwater monitoring will be
conducted from the outset of
refurbishment activities.
Contaminant Management
Impact to the receiving
environment from
hydrocarbon/ chemical
spills.
4
2
6
All hydrocarbons to be
stored in appropriately
bunded areas as per
Australian Standards.
Fuel to be stored and
dispensed using a self-
bunded tank and
automated delivery
1
3
4
Management through routine
procedures.
Implementation of the Spill
Response Procedure.
All strategies and management
plans to be in place before
construction commences.
Routine procedures to be
implemented on an ongoing
basis.
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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potential impact event risk rating control strategy residual risk
rating
monitoring and management
procedure deadline for implementation
system.
All minor chemical
storages to be bunded in
a bunded area or using
temporary bunded
containments.
TCMG will implement
the Spill Response
Procedure contained in
this MMP to ensure
immediate clean-up of
all spills to prevent
release to the receiving
environment.
Disturbance of existing
contaminants across
the Project site
4
3
7
Establish baseline site
contamination levels to
ensure proper controls
are in place for
movement and disposal
of soils across Project
site.
4
2
6
Management through routine
procedures.
Routine procedures to be
implemented on an ongoing
basis.
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Environmental management plans
Spill response procedure
Objectives The objective of this spill response procedure is to limit environmental harm occurring in the
event of a spill of a hazardous material at the Project. Storage and handling of hazardous
materials are addressed in this report in section 5.7.2 titled ‘Hazardous material management
plan’. This spill response procedure is designed purely to address the response in the event of a
spill.
Fuel will be stored and dispensed using a self-bunded tank and automated delivery system. The
fuel tank will have a capacity of 10,000L to facilitate refuelling of mobile plant and equipment,
and fuelling the diesel generators.
Targets A spill response procedure similar to that outlined in Figure 9 will be followed. Actions will be
taken to excavate the contaminated soils from within the spill footprint and transported to TD1
as required.
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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Figure 9: General spill response procedure
Management and mitigation strategies Spill response kits will be available and easily accessible to staff during refuelling operations.
TCMG staff and any contractors involved in the works will be suitably trained in spill response
procedures and familiar with the contents and use of the spill kits. The contents of spill kits will
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be checked and replaced as needed. In the event of a chemical spill or leak of any volume, staff
will be required to advise management as soon as possible.
Using the spill response kits, a clean-up of the spill site will be undertaken by suitably qualified
staff members. Disposal of any contaminated material or waste, if present, will be taken to TD1
for disposal.
For major spills, generally defined to be the loss of more than 100L of a given chemical, the
incident will be notified to the NT Government.
Storages on site will be designed and maintained in accordance with AS 1940-2004: Storage and
handling of flammable and combustible liquids. All spills at site are to be reported to the site
General Manager. An incident report must be completed for each spill. These incident reports
will be maintained in a register by the General Manager and be available for inspection if
required.
All waste management on site will be undertaken in accordance with the Northern Territory
Waste Management and Pollution Control Act.
Monitoring and measurement
Site inspections to be conducted during operations will include inspecting the following areas of
the site:
fuel storage
any chemical storages
waste stockpiles
bunded areas
spill response kits to ensure adequate supplies
areas subject to spill incident reports to ensure clean-up was effective.
These site inspections will be undertaken on a weekly basis by TCMG with the ultimate
responsibility lying with the General Manager.
Effectiveness Site inspection reports and spill incident reports will be reviewed monthly for the following:
Evidence that bunding and containment has been inspected and is functioning adequately.
Evidence that spill clean-up procedures were followed promptly in the event of a spill.
Evidence that spill clean-up procedures were adequate to deal with the spill event.
Non-conformance and corrective actions A non-conformance with the spill management procedure would include the following:
Spill kits not used to clean up a spill.
Spill kits not restocked after use.
Spills not contained.
Spills not responded to immediately.
Spill clean-up equipment inadequate to respond to the spill in question.
Spill containment infrastructure insufficient to contain a spill.
If the effectiveness review identifies an issue with how spill events are handled, the spill
response procedure will be reviewed. Additional procedures and inspections may be put in place
to address the deficit. Additional infrastructure may be required. Toolbox training will be
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prepared to address any changes and delivered to staff during prestart meetings to ensure all
staff are appraised of changes in spill management processes.
Hazardous material management plan
This management plan addresses the purchase, selection, storage, use, movement, decant and
disposal of hazardous materials for the Project. Hazardous materials that will be on site include
flammable liquids, gases and chemicals that are corrosive or chemically reactive. TCMG will
comply with relevant statutory requirements in regard to the handling and management of
hazardous materials on site. This will be in accordance with Work Health and Safety (National
Uniform Legislation) Act and associated regulations, the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road
and Rail (National Uniform Legislation) Act and associated regulations and the Dangerous Goods
Act and associated regulations.
The only fuel to be stored at site will be in a 10,000L self-bunded fuel tank to be used for
fuelling of the mobile plant and for the generator.
Further works to manage fuel and other hazardous materials on site are detailed in Table 16.
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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Table 16: WGOTP hazardous materials matrix
objective target applicable lEGISLATION management and
mitigation
monitoring AND
MEASUREMENT effectiveness
non-conformance and corrective
action
Safe use,
storage, and
disposal of
chemicals and
hazardous
goods.
Storage and
handling of
hazardous
materials
must be in
accordance
with
regulations.
Work Health and Safety
(National Uniform
Legislation) Act, The
Dangerous Goods Act,
The Transport of
Dangerous Goods by
Road and Rail (National
Uniform Legislation) Act
and their associated
regulations.
Handling and storage of
all hazardous substances
must be in accordance
with the Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS) for
that substance.
All spills will be reported
and investigated.
Spills will be
minimal, reported
immediately,
investigated and
promptly cleaned
up. Explosives will be
managed where
exposure to
potential risk is at a
minimum.
Storage areas will be regularly
inspected. An incident database will
be maintained. The Environment
Manager or General Manager will
record and sign off on monthly
inspections of hazardous waste
storage areas.
Spills will be reported and a spill
incident database maintained.
All mobile equipment
and light vehicle
servicing activities
including wash down
will be done on
impermeable surfaces.
Vehicle servicing and wash
down areas should be
inspected weekly.
Decanting and labelling
of hazardous materials
will be carried out in
accordance with the
National Code of
Practice for the Labelling
of Workplace
Substances NOHSC
(1994).
All substances should be
labelled appropriately.
There should be no spills
while decanting
substances.
MSDS must be kept in
close proximity to their
respective hazardous
material.
MSDS will be easily
accessible.
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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objective target applicable lEGISLATION management and
mitigation
monitoring AND
MEASUREMENT effectiveness
non-conformance and corrective
action
An appropriate storage
area for hazardous
material storage must
be constructed at the
outset of the operation
and built to Australian
Standards 1940-2004.
Hazardous material
storages areas will be
appropriately bunded or
temporary bunding
structures provided in
areas where hazardous
materials are to be
temporarily stored.
Fuel storage areas must
be properly bunded.
Bunding should be
inspected regularly for
integrity.
Small amounts of waste
hydrocarbon materials
should be collected and
stored in properly
labelled 205L drums.
Hydrocarbon waste
storage drums should be
inspected to ensure they
are properly labelled and
stored themselves on a
temporary bunding.
All oil waste must be
taken off site for
disposal at a properly
licenced facility.
Waste disposal records
must be kept.
Personnel must be
provided with the
appropriate personal
protective equipment
for handling and
management of
hazardous substances.
Personal protection
equipment must be
available in proximity to
hazardous materials.
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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objective target applicable lEGISLATION management and
mitigation
monitoring AND
MEASUREMENT effectiveness
non-conformance and corrective
action
The spill procedure must
be followed at all times.
Spills must be reported
and an incident report
completed.
Spills must
be dealt with
promptly.
Work Health and Safety
(National Uniform
Legislation) Act, The
Dangerous Goods Act,
The Transport of
Dangerous Goods by
Road and Rail (National
Uniform Legislation) Act
and their associated
regulations
Spill kits and spill
materials for larger spills
should be provided in
close proximity to the
relevant storage areas.
Spill kits and spill materials
should be inspected
weekly to ensure they are
fully stocked.
There will be a
databased of spill
incidents
maintained.
The incident database will available
for inspection and will be complete
and up to date. If the database is not
up to date, an investigation should be
conducted into the existing spill
procedure and further staff education
provided.
Spill kits should be
readily available and
properly stocked.
Incomplete spill kits should be
reported and restocked immediately.
Staff education may be given if spill
kits are repeatedly used and not
reported for restock.
Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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52
Land clearance procedure
Strategies and methodologies for land clearing
Efficient and strategic land clearance for the project is key to minimising environmental harm
from the outset of the project, and critical to effective rehabilitation at the end of the project.
The small disturbance footprint presents a further opportunity for this to be a low impact
project that can be rehabilitated smoothly at project closure. Adhering to best practice land
clearance management as per the Land Clearing Guidelines – Northern Territory Planning
Scheme (NRETAS, 2010) will benefit the rehabilitation success of the project. Further works to
manage land clearing are detailed in Table 17 below.
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Table 17: WGOPT land clearance procedure
objective target management and mitigation monitoring AND
MEASUREMENT effectiveness
non-conformance and
corrective action
All clearing must be
permitted.
Ensure permits to
clear are lodged and
approved in time for
clearing works.
The required authorisation for land
clearing must be identified and
approval sought in a timely fashion
for clearing.
No clearing must take place without
appropriate permits.
Land clearance planning
must include lead times for
permitting.
Permitting will be in
place for clearing.
Clearing performed without the
necessary permits must be
reported to the relevant
government authority.
Conduct land
clearance in an
efficient manner that
maximises retention
of resources reusable
in rehabilitation.
Clear during the
most appropriate
season for the
region
Ensure clearing takes place in
April/May to meet the end of wet
season/start of dry season target for
effective clearing.
Clearing should be
conducted in line with the
proposed activity schedule
for the mine.
Clearing will be
conducted at the most
appropriate time of
year.
If clearing cannot be conducted
as scheduled, clearing
methodologies will be assessed
against the prevailing
conditions and modified where
necessary.
Clear only areas that
are required to be
cleared.
Mark the areas to be cleared before
clearing.
GPS equipment should be
used by surveyors to mark
out areas to be cleared, and
clearing should be
supervised to ensure no ‘out
of bounds’ clearing takes
place.
Approved clearing
sites should be well
flagged to avoid
confusion and any
unnecessary and
illegal removal of
native vegetation.
If the supervisor sees clearing
taking place outside designated
areas, all machinery movement
should be halted and the
clearing plan reviewed.
Avoid unnecessary
environmental
damage through
soil compaction.
Access to the site should be
managed to prevent the introduction
of weed species or unnecessary
compaction of soils by vehicles.
Site access should be
signposted clearly and
unauthorised vehicles
apprehended.
Soil compaction
should be minimal.
Clearing methodologies should
be reviewed with
contractors/machine operators
if compaction is deemed to be
excessive.
Unauthorised vehicles should
be apprehended promptly and
asked to leave the area.
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objective target management and mitigation monitoring AND
MEASUREMENT effectiveness
non-conformance and
corrective action
Minimise impacts to
soil integrity and
composition.
Timing should be closely managed
to ensure large areas of soil are not
left exposed without being promptly
stripped for stockpiling.
Clearing will be conducted
in accordance with this plan.
Clearing will be
conducted efficiently,
soil compaction will be
minimised and
vehicles movements
across site restricted.
Clearing methodologies should
be reviewed with
contractors/machine operators
if compaction is deemed to be
excessive.
Maximise retention
of material for reuse
in rehabilitation.
Post-clearing debris should be
cleaned up using a blade and
stockpiled in windrows running
along the contour to minimise loss
of material through stormwater
runoff.
Stockpiling will be
conducted in accordance
with this plan.
Stockpiles should be
constructed in
accordance with this
plan.
Stockpiles that are
inappropriately situated should
be relocated.
Manage bushfire risk
appropriately
Post-clearing debris
to be stockpiled to
minimise bushfire
risk.
Debris should be stockpiled away
from native vegetation and away
from other infrastructure.
Stockpiling will be
conducted in accordance
with this plan.
Stockpiles should be
constructed in
accordance with this
plan. Firebreaks should
be maintained as
described.
Stockpiles that are
inappropriately situated should
be relocated. Firebreaks should
be maintained through the life
of the operation.
Bushfire controls to
be used.
Fire breaks of at least 2m in width
should be cleared around any
stockpiled vegetation (if applicable).
Fire breaks will be installed
in accordance with this plan.
Firebreaks should be
maintained.
Firebreaks should be routinely
inspected and maintenance
work carried out if and when
required.
Minimise erosion risk
Steep slopes that do
not form part of the
disturbance
footprint should not
be cleared
Vegetation should be left intact on
steep slopes that lie between
infrastructure areas but do not form
part of the disturbance footprint.
Note the importance of maximising
connectivity, the next objective in
this table.
Vegetation will be left intact
where practicable and
vegetation condition
reviewed at rehabilitation.
Steep slopes will not
be cleared.
Where steep slopes have been
cleared, ESC infrastructure must
be implemented.
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objective target management and mitigation monitoring AND
MEASUREMENT effectiveness
non-conformance and
corrective action
Post-clearing debris
to be stockpiled to
minimise erosion
risk
Post-clearing debris should be
stockpiled in windrows running
along the contour to minimise loss
of material through stormwater
runoff.
Where this is not possible, diversion
bunding should be used to divert
stormwater away from smaller debris
at high risk of washing away in a
storm event.
Stockpiles should be
inspected for form and
placement.
Stockpiles should not
erode in a rainfall
event.
Improperly formed or
positioned stockpiles should be
reshaped and/or moved.
Minimise impacts to
fauna
Maximise habitat
connectivity through
the use of native
vegetation buffers
Buffers should be retained where
possible.
Remaining vegetation
should be inspected at
rehabilitation for condition
and noted in the baseline
rehabilitation reporting.
Habitat connectivity
will be maximised
where possible.
Due to the short-term nature of
the project, issues with
connectivity will be rectified on
rehabilitation.
Direction of clearing
must provide egress
for fauna species
Clearing should be conducted
directionally in a manner that allows
fauna species the best opportunity
to relocate to native habitat. Clearing
must be undertaken progressively,
downhill, over a number of days to
allow fauna the opportunity to
relocate away from the disturbance.
Clearing must be supervised
to ensure the direction
allows a means of egress.
Fauna will be able to
escape the clearing
where possible.
If the supervisor declares the
clearing to be improperly
conducted, the clearing will be
stopped and processes
reviewed before resumption of
the activity.
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Native flora and fauna management plan
Objective and targets The objective of the native flora and fauna management plan is to minimise the impact of the
proposed refurbishment activities on native flora and fauna at Warrego.
Targets for this management plan are for flora and fauna species diversity to be maintained in
the locality and be rehabilitated to a state representative of pre-refurbishment activities.
Management and mitigation strategies
Excavated areas can pose a risk to native fauna through entrapment and exposure. Excavated
areas should be checked regularly for trapped fauna, with inspection occurring at least twice
daily. These areas should be checked early in the morning for fauna that has become trapped
overnight and again in the late afternoon for fauna that has become trapped over the course of
the day.
Safe egress points should be included to allow fauna to escape of their own accord. Any fauna
that cannot escape of their own accord should be removed in a manner that is safe for both the
animal and the person handling the animal. A suitably qualified and experienced person should
be the only one to handle dangerous fauna species such as snakes. The use of a fauna spotter-
catcher during the vegetation clearing and construction period is recommended to minimise the
chances of injury to native fauna. The fauna spotter-catcher should hold all relevant permits for
handling and relocating wildlife and should be present during clearing activities. The role of the
spotter-catcher would be to advise on appropriate clearing methods to ensure animal escape
paths are maintained and relocate fauna located within the disturbance area accordingly.
Vehicle strike represents a general threat to native fauna species. Strategies for managing
vehicle interactions with fauna are described below.
Monitoring and measurement Records of threatened wildlife are to be maintained and injuries or deaths to be reported.
Effectiveness
The Environmental Manager will keep a register of fauna interactions and sightings as
appropriate. Exercises such as land clearance and topsoil stockpiling, which directly influence the
success of this MMP, should be monitored to ensure they are carried out in accordance with
their own, detailed management plans.
Non-conformance and corrective actions Non-conformances with this management plan would include:
Fauna deaths from interaction with refurbishment infrastructure and vehicle strikes.
A decrease in vegetative condition over the life of the project.
A decrease in the fauna habitat condition.
Fauna deaths during the refurbishment and commissioning activities will be investigated and, if
required, a toolbox session will be compiled on species identification, fauna awareness and
adhering to speed limits, for delivery during the prestart meetings.
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Waste (domestic and industrial) management plan
The Project is a relatively short-term project with an intended low environmental impact. As
such, the company will maintain the existing on-site industrial landfill. All domestic and
industrial waste where approved will be disposed of in the landfill site. Further works to manage
waste management are detailed in Table 18.
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Table 18: Waste (domestic and industrial) management matrix
objective target management and mitigation monitoring AND
MEASUREMENT effectiveness
non-conformance and corrective
action
Minimise environmental
impacts associated with the
generation and disposal of
waste from refurbishment
activities.
Generate less waste
where possible.
Volumes of waste being
generated should be
recorded.
Waste storages should
be inspected weekly.
Volumes of waste
generated versus
volumes of waste
recycled.
Waste storages should be inspected
weekly to ensure nothing that can be
recycled is being disposed of.
Recycle more waste
where possible.
Volumes of waste being
generated should be
recorded.
Waste storages should
be inspected weekly.
Volumes of waste
generated versus
volumes of waste
recycled.
Waste storages should be inspected
weekly to ensure nothing that can be
recycled is being disposed of.
Segregate domestic
and industrial waste.
Waste types must be
labelled in storage, through
the use of colour coded bins
or labelling on containers.
Waste storages should
be inspected weekly.
Waste will be
segregated
according to type.
If waste is found to be mixed
inappropriately, a waste
management toolbox session should
be delivered at the next pre-start
meeting.
Promote the efficient use of
resources.
Promote recycling.
Promote recycling of
material where possible on
site.
Investigate the availability of
recycling contractors for site
pick up of waste.
Volumes of waste should
be recorded.
The site will recycle
as much material as
possible.
Where recycling facilities are
available and are not used, a waste
management toolbox session should
be delivered at the next pre-start
meeting.
Educate staff on correct waste
disposal.
Make sure all staff
understand the
different waste
streams on site.
Include waste disposal
instructions in the site
induction.
Inspect waste disposals
to ensure waste is being
properly segregated.
Waste will be
segregated
according to type.
Where waste is being disposed of
inappropriately, a toolbox session
should be delivered at the next pre-
start meeting.
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Dust, noise and vibration management plan
The nearest sensitive receptor to the Project site is the Mungalawurra community, approximately
25km (in a straight line) from the site. Based on the activities proposed under this MMP, it is
highly unlikely the residents of Mungalawurra community would be negatively impacted by
dust, noise and vibration from the operation.
To reduce the risk of impact to environmental receptors, this dust, noise and vibration
management plan aims to control dust generated by traffic related to the project, and also
reduce noise and vibration caused by the refurbishment activities. Further works to manage
dust, noise and vibration are detailed in Table 19.
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Table 19: Dust, noise and vibration management matrix
objective target management and
mitigation
monitoring AND
MEASUREMENT effectiveness
non-conformance and
corrective action
Prevent dust from
becoming a nuisance.
Minimise dust from
refurbishment
activities.
Use dust suppressing
water carts with a mixture
of polymer or molasses
dust suppressant
chemical on the site
roads.
The refurbished crusher
plant for crushing ore will
be fitted with a dust
suppression system.
Dust generation will be
monitored visually and dust
suppression polymers or
molasses with water carts
will be used in dry periods.
Depositional dust should
remain below nuisance dust
limits, which on a visual
inspection would be sufficient
to create a visible layer of dust
on a parked car or outdoor
furniture in one day.
An excess of depositional dust
will prompt an increase in the
use of water for dust
suppression.
The use of a polymer or
molasses dust suppressant
chemical will reduce the
amount of water required for
dust suppressant.
Minimise noise and
vibration from
refurbishment activities.
Limit machinery
noise.
Install sound proofing
and noise abatement
controls on machinery
where applicable.
Where noise abatement
controls exist for a machine,
they must be installed and
used.
Machinery noise will be limited.
When machinery is inspected,
lack of sound proofing should
be noted and rectified.
Ensure vehicles are
maintained as per
manufacturer’s
instructions
A vehicle maintenance
register must be kept.
There will be a vehicle
maintenance register that
shows up to date maintenance
actions.
Where vehicles are inspected
and maintenance is found to
be out of date, an incident
report must be completed and
the vehicle taken offline until it
can be maintained.
Limit noise impacts
on staff.
Ensure staff utilise hearing
protection on site where
appropriate.
Provide hearing protection
for staff.
Staff will wear hearing
protection where required.
Any staff complaint on noise
exposure must be
acknowledged within 24 hours
and an investigation initiated
within 48 hours of receiving
the complaint.
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objective target management and
mitigation
monitoring AND
MEASUREMENT effectiveness
non-conformance and
corrective action
Install signs in areas
where hearing protection
is required.
Conduct spot checks to
ensure staff are wearing
appropriate hearing
protection.
Staff will wear hearing
protection where required.
Any staff complaint on noise
exposure must be
acknowledged within 24 hours
and an investigation initiated
within 48 hours of receiving
the complaint.
Operate a complaints
process to ensure
stakeholder feedback is
handled promptly and
issues resolved
satisfactorily.
Deal with
complaints
promptly and
resolve issues in a
satisfactory fashion.
Maintain a complaints
register and communicate
that register to staff and
the local stakeholders.
Review the register for
complaints monthly.
Complaints received will be
dealt with successfully.
If, on review, complaints were
found to not be acknowledged
or resolved promptly, an
investigation must be
undertaken into the reason for
this.
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Water Management Water for the Project will be sourced for the operations from the historical Warrego Mine. A
submersible pump will be used in the shaft to pump water from the shaft to the processing
operations.
There was a program of groundwater and surface water monitoring in place prior to the closure
of the Warrego mine site in 2005. Where available, the relevant data will be reviewed and
incorporated into the new monitoring program. TCMG intends to re-establish water monitoring
during site operations. A monitoring schedule will form part of the routine site inspections and
include quarterly monitoring of standing water levels at the site and quarterly sampling of
groundwater monitoring bores and monitoring surface water sites following significant rainfall
events.
Current conditions
There is no surface water within the Project area. The Project is located within the Barkly
catchment in Victoria River Wiso Drainage basin group. Drainage in the regional vicinity of the
Project site is generally poorly developed with ephemeral meandering streams traversing alluvial
areas. The main ephemeral watercourse is Phillip Creek, which is east of the Project site area and
runs generally from west to east across the Stuart Highway. Rainfall rates and climatic variations
are discussed in section 2.1.1.
There is little surface run off and no direct run off into Philip Creek from the immediate Project
site. Flood waters could eventually reach Philip Creek via intermittent streams to the east and
west of the site. Natural drainage overall is minimally restricted by historical site infrastructure,
local diversion bunding has been constructed across the site by the site’s former owners.
Anecdotically, it appears this bunding has proven to prevent ingress of floodwaters into the
historical operational areas of the site.
Should surface contamination occur due to leaks or spills, then run off in the vicinity of the
contamination will be controlled and separated from ‘clean’ run off until the contamination has
been rectified.
Surface water
Currently, there is no surface water on site; therefore, to establish the baseline contaminant
levels at the site, monitoring is planned to be undertaken following rainfall events at the site to
establish the volumes and pathways that surface waters travel to leave the historical mine site. A
monitoring program will be developed during the refurbishment phase of the project.
Groundwater
Currently, there is no groundwater monitoring being undertaken at the site; therefore, the
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baseline groundwater contaminant levels at the site will be determined during the
refurbishment phase of the project. The site does have a number of groundwater monitoring
bores; however, because the site has been in care and maintenance, then the maintenance of
the groundwater monitoring bores is unknown and will most likely require the re-installation of
a new groundwater monitoring network.
TCMG will commit to re-establishing the groundwater monitoring network across the Project
site.
Information/knowledge gaps
Identification of information/knowledge gaps
TCMG understands that little to no groundwater or surface water monitoring data has been
collected from the historical Warrego site since the site operations went into care and
maintenance at the end of 2005. Groundwater and surface water monitoring will need to
recommence as part of the Project.
Site contamination levels will need to be established within the Project area.
Filling information/knowledge gaps
When groundwater and surface water quality data is received from the first of TCMG’s
monitoring program, this data will be used with available historical monitoring data to form a
baseline for the future monitoring program.
Monitoring of water quality over time (inflow water and monitoring bore water) will be
completed and reported in subsequent MMPs.
Water account
The data collected will also be used to provide a water account based on the Minerals Council of
Australia Water Accounting Framework, which will be reported to DITT in subsequent MMPs.
Incident Reporting
Incident reporting–internal and external Reporting to the DITT will be in accordance with Regulations 3 and 4 of the Mining Management
Act and any individual reporting requirements contained in any authorisations issued under the
Mining Management Act.
The procedure for reporting is:
All incidents are to be reported to the General Manager as soon as the incident is identified.
Examples of reportable incidents include spills (chemicals and fuel), burst or leaking pipelines
and excessive dust generation.
The General Manager will be responsible for onward reporting of qualifying incidents to the
DITT as soon as practicable, but within 24 hours of discovery of the incident.
Management of the incident will be in accordance with the steps described in the management
plans, depending on the nature of the incident. An incident register will be maintained by the
site General Manager and will be produced for inspection if required. The incident will be
investigated to determine causes and identify procedures to prevent recurrence.
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Process for reporting fauna impacts Any fauna that are injured or killed during refurbishment and commissioning activities should be
promptly reported to the Environmental Manager as an environmental incident.
The procedure for reporting is:
All fauna incidents are to be reported to the Environmental Manager and the General Manager
as soon as the incident is identified.
Process for reporting cultural heritage impacts If culturally sensitive artefacts or objects are found during the refurbishment and commissioning
works, the operator shall immediately stop works in the immediate vicinity of the artefact or
object and advise the Mine Manager. The Environmental Manager shall establish an exclusion
zone around the artefact or object until it has been inspected and/or removed by a person
authorised by the Heritage Branch of the NT Government.
Process for reporting to the Department of Industry Tourism and Trade
Incidents that qualify for onward reporting to DITT should be notified within 24 hours of
discovery of the incident. In an event where an incident causes a breach of the conditions of the
Environmental Authority for the Project, reporting must be conducted in accordance with the
details of that specific condition.
DITT have produced a pro forma for the reporting of incidents under section 29 of the Mining
Management Act. A copy of this form is included as of this MMP. This pro forma, or a bespoke
incident reporting form containing the same information, should be used to report any incident
to DITT.
Incident reporting–health and safety If a workplace health and safety incident has also been identified as a ‘notifiable incident’ as
per Part 3 of the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act, the General
Manager is responsible for ensuring that NT WorkSafe is notified immediately, as per Sections
35 to 39 of the Act. A ‘notifiable incident’ as outlined within the Act constitutes the following:
The death of a person.
A ‘serious injury of illness’.
A ‘dangerous incident’.
The procedure for reporting is:
The Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Officer on site is responsible to inform NT WorkSafe
immediately via phone or email once they are aware of the incident. Written notification may
also be requested within 48 hours of the incident.
The HSE Officer will then alert the General Manager of the incident.
The HSE Officer will need to ensure that the site of the incident is preserved until a NT WorkSafe
inspector arrives or directs otherwise.
On site procedures will ensure that all staff inform the HSE Officer of any incidents or health and
safety risks on site. The HSE officer is responsible for maintaining a record of all potential health
and safety risks and updating these within the Risk Management Plan.
TCMG acknowledge that effective mitigation of health and safety risks can help to mitigate
potential environmental risks for the life of operations of the Project.
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Process for reporting to NT WorkSafe Health and safety incidents are required to be reported to NT WorkSafe immediately after the
incident, as such communication of the incident via phone or email will be utilised.
NT WorkSafe have produced a pro forma for the reporting for Health and Safety Incidents under
Sections 35 to 39 of the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act. A copy of
this pro forma is included as Appendix C of this MMP. This pro forma, or a bespoke incident
reporting form containing the same information, should be used to report any incident to NT
WorkSafe.
Closure Planning The Project occurs wholly within ML30888, which is as amalgamation of historical leases
associated with the former Warrego mine and Warrego Ore Treatment Plan. The mine and ore
treatment plant site has been previously cleared of native vegetation and topsoil prior to the
commencement of the historical mining and ore processing operation.
The Project will not be creating new site disturbances. Refurbishment activities will be carried
out on and within existing highly disturbed areas within ML30888. Rehabilitation activities will
be confined to those disturbances associated with the Project only.
1.1. Planned closure strategy
1.1.1. Expected disturbance areas
The Project site layout involves the following major infrastructure components:
Gold processing plant area and associated infrastructure (3.38ha).
Administration offices (demountable, within gold processing plant footprint).
TSF West (25ha).
Landfill (1.38ha).
Rehabilitation domains
To assist in planning for rehabilitation, the Project site has been segregated into the following
domains:
Domain 1: Gold processing facility and associated infrastructure, including site office and
ablutions, ROM pad.
Domain 2: TD1.
Domain 3: Roads and access tracks with ESC infrastructure.
Domain 4: Landfill site.
Each of these domains will require rehabilitation works and associated costing for rehabilitation
liability.
1.1.2. Completion criteria
Completion criteria are important to ensure that a clear definition of successful rehabilitation is
established for each closure domain. Completion criteria have been determined based on
surrounding land use and post closure landform designs for the Project. Criteria include:
safe to humans and wildlife
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non-polluting
stable
able to sustain an agreed post mining land use
Reference sites relevant to each domain and closure criteria shall be established within the first
12 months of operations with the post mining land use for each domain described in Table 20.
Table 20: Completion criteria for the Project
Domain
Domain 1 All infrastructure removed
Landscape function and vegetation is resilient, self-sustaining and similar in
density and abundance to adjacent off lease areas.
Domain 2 Tailing storage facility rehabilitated to provide physically stable, safe water
shedding structure.
Domain 3 Roads and access tracks rehabilitated unless required for end land use by
pastoral leaseholder.
Domain 4 Left stable and safe to humans and wildlife
Landscape function and vegetation is resilient, self-sustaining and similar in
density and abundance to adjacent off lease areas.
Domain 5 All infrastructure removed.
Landscape function and vegetation is resilient, self-sustaining and similar in
density and abundance to adjacent off lease areas.
1.1.3. Post mining land use
In developing the proposed final landforms for the Project, a hierarchal approach has been
applied as follows:
Reinstate the pre-mining land use.
Reinstate ‘natural’ ecosystems to be as similar as possible to the original ecosystem.
Develop an alternative land use with higher beneficial uses than the pre-mining land use.
Develop an alternative land use with beneficial uses other than the pre-mining land use.
The WGOTP lease is located within the Phillip Creek Station pastoral lease, with the land across
the ML is flat and is suited for grazing. Pastoral activity is occurring in the immediate vicinity of
the proposed project. The land within and adjacent to the proposed disturbance is native
vegetation, albeit heavily disturbed by the fire regime and grazing activities of the region.
Based on the above, the proposed post mining land use objective for the site will be to reinstate
the pre-mining land use to be as similar as possible to the adjacent ecosystem. This will be
achieved through seeding of native species during rehabilitation works.
1.1.4. Rehabilitation implementation
TCMG will engage appropriately qualified earthworks and demolition contractors to undertake
the material movement and the bulk of rehabilitation and final earthworks at the site.
The works will be undertaken with the supervision of management and in accordance with the
WGOTP MMP. Given the short nature of the proposed project, the opportunity for progressive
rehabilitation will be limited; however, TCMG will be willing to implement rehabilitation activities
on areas as they become available should they not be required for future operations.
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1.1.5. Rehabilitation tasks by domain
Domain 1: Gold processing facility and associated infrastructure
The associated infrastructure domain includes the ROM pad footprint , incorporating the
crusher, offices and fuel storage .
Works required for rehabilitation of infrastructure areas will include removal of:
administration offices (demountable)
ablutions (demountable)
fuel storage tanks
crusher
generators.
When all infrastructure is removed by licenced contractors, associated disturbance areas will
undergo rehabilitation. This will involve the following tasks:
Concrete pads will be broken up and either salvaged, disposed of on site or used as clean
landfill in areas of existing disturbance where the landform is amenable to filling.
Treatment/removal of localised contamination (i.e. hydrocarbon spillages).
Reshaping of disturbed surfaces.
Spreading of available topsoil on reshaped surfaces and/or deep ripping of surfaces whether or
not topsoil is available.
Contour ripping to assist with water infiltration and surface water control.
Seeding of ripped surfaces.
Domain 2: TD1 Following an appropriate desiccation and consolidation or drying out period for period the TD1
complex. A single capillary break layer is proposed for capping of the tails storage facility. On
this basis, the following capping layers are proposed:
Capillary break layer 1 – Nominally 0.5m layer, selected material with suitable properties (e.g.
coarse material of appropriate size distribution) may require screening.
Low permeability layer – Nominally 0.5m layer, selected material with suitable properties (e.g.
clay content) may require screening and likely to require compaction to achieve minimum target
permeability.
Protection layer (for low permeability layer)/extended growth media layer – Nominally 0.5m
layer, selected material with suitable properties (i.e. will depend on other material properties and
cover design for trade-off between suitability to maintain vegetation and water shedding
properties to limit nett percolation) may require screening.
Growth media layer – Nominally 0.5m layer, selected material with suitable properties (e.g.
topsoil, other suitable material) may require requiring sourcing, screening, carting and
placement.
Suitable materials are likely to exist on site for the capillary break layer in the form of waste rock.
Low permeability and growth media materials exist onsite in the form of shallow red clayey soils.
Schedule of quantities and final design of the capping layer will be investigated during the
operational phase of the Project.
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Domain 3: Roads and access tracks
Roads and access tracks will be rehabilitated using available materials stockpiled in windrows to
the side of the roads. Road surfaces will be ripped, stockpiled material will be respread and
surfaces will be again ripped and then seeded. ESC infrastructure along the roads will be
rehabilitated in a similar fashion.
Domain 4: Landfill site Immediately following closure, it is likely that the landfill site will continue to be required to be
used for the disposal of residual wastes from the recently rehabilitated areas. Following final
rehabilitation works of the WGOTP domains, the landfill site will be suitably covered and
rehabilitated and revegetated to establish landscape function and vegetation that is resilient,
self-sustaining and similar in density and abundance to the adjacent off lease areas.
Unplanned closure strategy In the event of an unplanned closure, operations will cease and all equipment and mobile
infrastructure fuels and chemicals will be removed from site.
In the event the site is placed in care and maintenance, environmental monitoring of surface and
groundwater will continue to take place at the frequency nominated in Table 15 of this report.
Erosion and sediment control infrastructure will be inspected on a routine basis for integrity, and
the entire site will be inspected monthly to ensure there is no risk of ongoing environmental
harm.
Should the site be nominated for closure, the planned closure strategy will be implemented.
Rehabilitation and revegetation monitoring The monitoring objective for rehabilitation at the Project is to provide evidence that the
designed landscape is stable, with nutrient cycling and vegetation indices equal to or above
those of the control transect within the analogue site. The results of the rehabilitation
monitoring program will be the primary mechanism by which government departments and
agencies determine rehabilitation success.
1.1.6. Monitoring methods–landscape function analysis
Tongway and Hindley (2004) developed the landscape function analysis (LFA) as the CSIRO’s
principal method for mine rehabilitation assessment within the arid zone. LFA is an indicator-
based monitoring procedure that evaluates soil surface processes to examine how well a
landscape is working as a biophysical system in relation to disturbance or rehabilitation.
LFA monitoring methods comprise assessing a suite of parameters at different landscape
positions on each site, namely on flats, slopes and in troughs. Repeated edaphic (soil properties)
and biological measurements are taken over time for various parameters that indicate changes
in ecosystem function as rehabilitation proceeds. The goal of rehabilitation is to achieve a self-
sustaining landscape. A self-sustaining ecosystem would not need further additions of nutrients,
seed, water or other management inputs. The CSIRO LFA method, as detailed by Tongway and
Hindley (2004), would be used to inform the monitoring program design; however, some
modification to this method may be required to address the site-specific variables at Warrego.
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LFA is typically conducted as an annual monitoring event and TCMG has made this commitment
to rehabilitation monitoring post closure. The results of the LFA monitoring and
recommendations will be discussed in the Operational Performance Reports presented following
rehabilitation and completion of site activities.
In general, the LFA method would involve monitoring of the following three groups of sites:
Natural site(s):
Disturbed analogue(s) may be utilised due to the presence of stock (grazing pressure) to
consider the impact of stock.
Rehabilitated sites:
Reference sites for rehabilitation performance, successful or otherwise.
Disturbance sites:
Gold processing facilities and ROM pad.
TD1.
Roads and tracks.
Landfill site.
Analogue sites would be chosen as close as possible to the rehabilitated area so that the same
climatic and environmental conditions exist at both sites to the extent possible.
Specific LFA monitoring sites are yet to be selected; however, the LFA methodology would be
applied to the processing facilities pad, roads and offices area, which would be treated as a
single site, and the existing TD1 footprints. This program would survey the entire rehabilitated
area, due to the comparative small size of these areas and record percentage of plant cover,
identify plant species present and note the development of erosional features in comparison to
a neighbouring analogue site.
1.1.7. Financial provisions for rehabilitation
Overview In accordance with section 43 of the Mining Management Act, the WGOTP site is required to
submit a security bond to the NT Government to prevent or minimise environmental harm
caused by the activities, specifically for the completion of rehabilitation should the holder of the
mining lease and MMP be unable to complete the required works in accordance with this MMP.
Calculation of financial provision Section 43A of the Mining Management Act specifies that the Minister will calculate the required
amount of security to be provided to the Northern Territory Government. Once the security
bond is set, the amount will be reviewed in conjunction with the Government to ensure it
remains consistent with the level of disturbance caused by the project at any specific time.
Table 21 details the security calculation for the WGOTP. TCMG propose that during the
refurbishment period of this WGOTPMMP no liability and no security be applicable.
During the commissioning period, TCMG would recognise the liability associated with the
infrastructure and extractive domains associated with this WGOTPMMP.
During initial operations, TCMG would recognise the liability associated with the TSF domain
associated with a future WGOTP MMP.
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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The proposed bond details are included in Appendix D.
References Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport (NRETAS). (2010). Land
Clearing Guidelines. Darwin, Northern Territory: Department of Natural Resources, Environment,
the Arts and Sport.
Fowler, B., Minns, A., & Holmes, R. (1998). Normandy Gold Pty Ltd Tennant Creek Operations
Environment Management Plan 1998.
Giants Reef Mining Limited. (2003). Mine Management Plan Warrego Ore Treatment Plant
Tennant Creek, Northern Territory.
Groundwater Resource Management Pty Ltd (2009). Hydrological baseline assessment Wonarah
Phospate Project.
Hollingsworth, I. D. (2000). Warrego Soil Contamination Project Report for Normandy Tennant
Creek Pty Ltd by EWL Sciences Pty Ltd.
Isabell, R.F. 1996. The Australian Soil Classification. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria
NT Infonet NT NRM Report - Warrego Mill Weed Report. Retrieved from
http://www.infonet.org.au
Tongway, D. J., & Hindley, N. I. (2004). Landscape function analysis: Procedures for monitoring
and assessing landscapes with special reference to minesites and rangelands. Version 3.1.
Canberra, ACT: CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems.
Maps
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Warrego Gold Ore Treatment Plant – Mining Management Plan
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Weed Report for Warrego
NT WorkSafe Proforma
Security Calculation
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