care and maintenance mining operations plan€¦ · name of authorisation/authorisation holder(s):...

Sedgman Limited [ASX: SDM]

ABN 86 088 471 667

Head Office Level 2, 2 Gardner Close Milton QLD 4064 AUSTRALIA

Postal Address PO Box 1801 Milton QLD 4064 AUSTRALIA

Ph: +61 7 3514 1000 Fax: +61 7 3514 1999

Email: [email protected] Web: www.sedgman.com

Cullen Valley Mine

Care and Maintenance Mining Operations Plan

Castlereagh Coal

LC/lc

Revision: 1.0

Cullen Valley Mine Care and Maintenance Mining Operations Plan

Revision: 1.0 - 17-Dec-2015 Page ii

Revision Status

Revision Number Author Description Date Approved By

Draft LC Draft for review 12 Nov 2015 J. Duffy

Version 1.0 LC Final for submission 17 Dec 2015 A. O’Brien

Distribution

Company Name Contact Name Revision Date

Castlereagh Coal Brett Moore 1.0 17 December 2015

Invincible Colliery John Duffy 1.0 17 December 2015

Department of Trade & Investment Chris Hammersley 1.0 17 December 2015

Copyright Notice

Sedgman © 2016

This Document is copyright. Other than for the purposes and subject to the conditions prescribed under the Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth), no part of it may in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, micro-copying, photocopying, recording or otherwise) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without prior written permission.


Revision: 1.0 - 17-Dec-2015 Page iii

Table of Contents MOP Title Block 1

Summary of Tables, Figures and Plans 2

1 Introduction 3

1.1 History of Operations 3

1.2 Current Consents, Leases and Licences 3

1.3 Land Ownership and Land Use 4

1.4 Stakeholder Consultation 4

2 Proposed Mining Activities 5

2.1 Project Description 5

2.2 Asset Register 5

2.3 Activities over the MOP Term 5 2.3.1 Exploration 5 2.3.2 Construction 6 2.3.3 Mining operations 6 2.3.4 Rock/overburden emplacement 6 2.3.5 Processing residues and tailings 6 2.3.6 Waste management 6 2.3.7 Decommissioning and demolition activities 7 2.3.8 Temporary stabilisation 7 2.3.9 Water management 7 2.3.10 Drainage and water pollution controls 8 2.3.11 Groundwater management 8 2.3.12 Hazardous materials 8 2.3.13 Equipment maintenance and inspections 9 2.3.14 Progressive rehabilitation and completion 10 2.3.15 Material production schedule during MOP term 11

3 Environmental Issues Management 12

3.1 Environmental Risk Assessment 12

3.2 Environmental Risk Management 12

3.3 Specific Risks relating to Rehabilitation 17

3.4 Geology and geochemistry 17 3.4.1 Material prone to spontaneous combustion 17 3.4.2 Subsurface heating 18 3.4.3 Material prone to generating acid mine drainage 18 3.4.4 Mine subsidence 19 3.4.5 Erosion and sediment control 19 3.4.6 Soil type and slope management 19 3.4.7 Flora and fauna 19 3.4.8 Other risks 19

4 Post Mining Land Use 22

4.1 Regulatory Requirements 22

4.2 Post Mining Land Use Goal 25

4.3 Rehabilitation Objectives 25

5 Rehabilitation Planning and Management 26

5.1 Domain Selection 26

5.2 Domain Rehabilitation Objectives 26

5.3 Rehabilitation Phases 27

6 Performance Indicators, and Completion/Relinquishment Criteria 28

7 Rehabilitation Implementation 29

7.1 Status at MOP Commencement 29

7.2 Proposed Rehabilitation Activities during the MOP Term 29


Revision: 1.0 - 17-Dec-2015 Page iv

7.2.1 Maintenance of existing rehabilitation areas 29 7.2.2 Subsurface heating monitoring and rectification works 30 7.2.3 Repair and reconstruction of erosion control devices 30 7.2.4 Replanting/reseeding in existing rehabilitation areas 31

7.3 Summary of Rehabilitation Areas during the MOP Term 33

7.4 Relinquishment Phase achieved during MOP period 33

8 Rehabilitation Monitoring and Research 34

8.1 Rehabilitation Monitoring 34

8.2 Research and Rehabilitation Trials and Use of Analogous Sites 34

9 Intervention and Adaptive Management 35

9.1 Threats to Rehabilitation 35

9.2 Trigger Action Response Plan 35

10 Reporting 37

Appendices

Appendix A

MOP Plans

Appendix B

Care & Maintenance Risk Assessment

Appendix C

Rehabilitation Tables

Appendix D

Plan of Works Variation to the Mining Operations Plan, 30 January 2013

Appendix E

Subsurface Heating Program of Works 26 November 2015

List of Tables Table 1-1: Status of current consent, leases and licences ........................................................................... 4

Table 2-1: Asset register............................................................................................................................... 5

Table 3-1: Risk assessment ....................................................................................................................... 13

Table 4-1: Regulatory requirements for rehabilitation and post-mining land use ....................................... 22

Table 5-1: Primary and secondary domains ............................................................................................... 26

Table 5.2: Domain rehabilitation objectives ................................................................................................ 26

Table 5-3: Summary of rehabilitation phases ............................................................................................. 27

Table 7-1: Rehabilitation Seed Mix ............................................................................................................. 32

Table 7-2: Summary of Rehabilitation Areas during the MOP Term .......................................................... 33

Table 9-1: Threats to rehabilitation ............................................................................................................. 35

Table 9-2: Trigger Action Response Plan ................................................................................................... 36


Revision: 1.0 - 17-Dec-2015 Page 1

MOP Title Block

Cullen Valley Mine - Mining Operations Plan

Name of Mine: Cullen Valley Mine

MOP Commencement Date: 31 December 2015

MOP Completion Date: 31 December 2017

Mining Authorisations: ML1455, ML1488, ML1557, ML1556

Name of Authorisation/Authorisation Holder(s): Shoalhaven Coal Pty Ltd

Name of Mine Operator: Sedgman Limited

Name and Contact Details of Mining Engineering Manager John Duffy

Invincible Colliery, Castlereagh Highway

Cullen Bullen, NSW 2790

(02) 6359 0600

Name and Contact Details of Environmental Representative: Andrew O’Brien

Sedgman, Level 2, 2 Gardner Close

Milton Qld 4064

(07) 3124 4501

Name of Representative(s) of the Authorisation Holder(s) Brett Moore

Manildra Group, 6 Frank Street

Gladesville NSW 2111

(02) 9879 9865

Title of Representative(s) of the Authorisation Holder(s) Group Financial Accountant

Signature of Representative(s) of the Authorisation Holder(s)

………… ……..

Date: 17 December 2015

Version: 1.0



Summary of Tables, Figures and Plans

Section of MOP Table Reference Plan Reference Source

Section 1: Introduction Table 1-1: Status of current consents, leases and licences

NA Statutory documents

Section 2: Proposed Mining Activities

Table 2-1: Asset register NA Existing data

Section 3: Environmental Issues Management

Table 3-1: Risk assessment

NA Project Risk Assessment

Section 4: Post Mining Land Use

Table 4-1: Regulatory requirements for rehabilitation and post-mining land use

NA Statutory documents and management plans

Section 5: Rehabilitation Planning and Management

Table 5-1: Primary and secondary domains

NA Existing data


Table 5-2: Domain rehabilitation objectives

Existing data


Table 5-3: Summary of rehabilitation phases

NA Existing data

Section 7: Rehabilitation Implementation

Table 7-1: Rehabilitation seed mix

NA Flora and Fauna Management Plan

Section 7: Rehabilitation Implementation

Table 7-2: Summary of rehabilitation areas during the MOP term

NA Annual Biodiversity Monitoring data

Section 9: Intervention and Adaptive Management

Table 9-1: Threats to rehabilitation


Section 9: Intervention and Adaptive Management

Table 9-2: Trigger Action Response Plan


Appendix A: MOP Plans NA Plan 1A: Project Location Spatial Data

Appendix A: MOP Plans NA Plan 1B: Pre-MOP Environment - Natural Environment

Ecological Impact Assessment data

Appendix A: MOP Plans NA Plan 1C: Pre-MOP Environment - Built Environment

Existing data

Appendix A: MOP Plans NA Plan 1D: Pre-MOP Environment – Underground Workings

Existing data

Appendix A: MOP Plans NA Plan 2: Mine Domains at Commencement of MOP

Existing data

Appendix A: MOP Plans NA Plan 3: Final Rehabilitation and Post-Mining Land Use

Existing data

Appendix A: MOP Plans NA Plans 4-5: Final Rehabilitation Landform – Cross Sections

Existing data



1 Introduction

The available coal within the approved mining area at the Cullen Valley Mine has been exhausted and mining operations have been suspended. This Care and Maintenance Mining Operations Plan (C&M MOP) describes the arrangements and proposed management of the Cullen Valley Mine during the C&M MOP period.

Approval has previously been sought from the Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services – Division of Resources and Energy (DRE) for the suspension of mining operations at the Cullen Valley Mine on the 16 January 2013 under Section 70(1)(a) of the Mining Act 1992 NSW (Mining Act). Approval to suspend mining operations was granted by DRE on 14 February 2013.

The Cullen Valley Mine will be managed under a care and maintenance arrangement until the recommencement of mining activities or until a decision has been made to close the mine. This C&M MOP covers the period from 31 December 2015 to 31 December 2017 and has been prepared in accordance with the ESG3: Mining Operations Plan (MOP) Guidelines prepared by the NSW Department of Trade and Investment (T&I), dated September 2013.

1.1 History of Operations

Underground mining commenced at the Tyldesley Colliery around 1904 and continued up until the 1960’s when the workings were abandoned. Open cut operations were conducted on the site between 1948 and 1953. Modern open cut operations began after 19 August 1999 when the Lithgow Coal Company was granted Mining Lease (ML) 1455 by the Minister for Mineral Resources. Mining commenced on site in May 2000 following a four month construction phase.

Following the identification of additional open cut coal reserves, a further EIS and Development Application was lodged for an extension of the mine in April 2003. The lease extension area lies along the western side of Tyldesley Hill adjacent to the main railway line. Approval of the Development Application was granted by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DP&I) 19 August 2004. A MOP was prepared and approved to cover the mining operations within the new lease extension area for a seven year period.

Cullen Valley Mine has historically supplied coal under contract to Mount Piper Power Station. However, with the failure of the mine to renew a supply contract in 2007, it was proposed to place the operation on a care and maintenance program until such time as sufficient contracts were awarded that would make the operation of the mine viable once again.

Coalpac Pty Ltd purchased the Lithgow Coal Company Pty Ltd, which owned the Cullen Valley Mine, in January 2008 and the previous plans to place the mine on Care and Maintenance were discarded. Recommencement of the open cut mining operations occurred in February 2008. Mining of the available approved area at Cullen Valley Mine was completed in early December 2012. Any remaining stockpiled ROM coal was transported to the Invincible Colliery during February 2013 and processed through the Invincible Coal Crushing Plant. The Mine was then placed under care and maintenance.

Shoalhaven Coal purchased the mine from Coalpac administrators in May 2015 and will continue to operate the mine under a care and maintenance arrangement until such time as approvals can be obtained for future mining operations.

1.2 Current Consents, Leases and Licences

The Cullen Valley Mine is classified as a Level 1 Mine being a State significant development. The locality of the project and context within the State is shown on Plan 1A (Appendix A).



A list of the current consents, leases and licences that will be maintained during care and maintenance is shown in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1: Status of current consent, leases and licences

Document Date Granted Expiry Date

Development Consent DA_200_5_2003 19 August 2004 19 August 2025

EPL No 10341 10 December (anniversary date) Renewed annually

Authorisation 420 12 January 1990 9 April 2016

Authorisation 324 25 August 1983 9 April 2016

Exploration Licence 6007 8 October 2002 7 October 2014 (renewal application submitted)

Exploration Licence 5712 10 April 2000 9 April 2014 (renewal application submitted)

Mining Lease 1455 19 August 1999 18 August 2020

Mining Lease 1488 21 June 2001 20 June 2022

Mining Lease 1556 20 September 2004 19 September 2025

Mining Lease 1557 20 September 2004 19 September 2025

Water Access Licence 27898 26 June 2015 -

Water Supply Work Approval 80WA706148 16 January 2012 5 July 2025

1.3 Land Ownership and Land Use

Plan 1C contained in Appendix A shows the land ownership and land use surrounding the Cullen Valley Mine. Land contained within the mining leases is either freehold land owned by Shoalhaven Coal Pty Ltd or Crown Land contained in the Ben Bullen State Forest. The Ben Bullen State Forest is managed by the NSW Forestry Corporation.

1.4 Stakeholder Consultation

This C&M MOP has been developed in consultation with DRE. Issues raised by DRE were addressed during revision of this document.



2 Proposed Mining Activities

2.1 Project Description

There are no planned mining activities to be undertaken at Cullen Valley Mine during the C&M MOP term. Activities relating to existing licences and approvals such as water management and sediment control, environmental monitoring, rehabilitation maintenance and monitoring works and general housekeeping will be undertaken and are described in more detail in Section 2.3. The maintenance of existing site infrastructure and the storage of some heavy earthmoving equipment is proposed during the C&M MOP term.

Proposed activities that will be undertaken during the C&M MOP term will include:

Statutory inspections including mining, electrical and mechanical;

Implementing the approved Subsurface Heating Area Plan of Works Variation to the Mining Operations Plan (PoW MOP Variation), dated 30 January 2013 and approved by DRE on 11 March 2013 (refer Appendix D) and the Subsurface Heating Program of Works (refer Appendix E);

Maintaining the water management system including sediment and erosion control;

Ongoing environmental monitoring and reporting including air quality, water and noise;

Monitoring and maintenance of Compensatory Habitat Areas and rehabilitation areas;

Sedgman Limited will continue to maintain regulatory compliance with current consents, leases and licences. Ongoing stakeholder consultation will be undertaken during the care and maintenance period as required.

2.2 Asset Register

Domains within the C&M MOP area including major assets within each domain are listed in Table 2-1 below.

Table 2-1: Asset register

Domain Area Major Assets

Infrastructure Areas 20.6 Offices, workshops, coal mining facilities, ROM stockpiles, mine access roads

Unshaped emplacement areas 32.5 Waste rock emplacements

Mine voids and pits 1.4 Mine extraction areas

Water Management Structures 2.2 Environmental dams, sump dams, sediment ponds

Shaped and topsoiled emplacement areas

4.4 Waste rock and topsoil placement

Rehabilitation Areas 61.7 Areas seeded between 2009 and 2012 (includes areas of erosion to be repaired)

Established Rehabilitation Areas 71.1 Areas previously seeded prior to 2009 (includes areas of erosion and subsurface heating to be monitored and repaired)

2.3 Activities over the MOP Term

2.3.1 Exploration

There are no planned exploration activities proposed to be undertaken during the C&M MOP term.



2.3.2 Construction

There are no planned construction activities proposed to be undertaken during the C&M MOP term.

Some earthworks will be required to implement the PoW MOP Variation and the Subsurface Heating Program of Works for monitoring and rectification works in the subsurface heating area. It should be noted that these works will be undertaken in areas previously disturbed by mining activities.

2.3.3 Mining operations

There are no planned mining activities proposed to be undertaken during the C&M MOP term.

Most mobile plant and equipment has been removed from the site. Any equipment remaining on site will be periodically run, where possible, with pre-start inspections conducted at each instance. Any new equipment introduced to site, will have a MDG15 inspection performed on it prior to the commencement of any works.

The earthworks proposed to be undertaken for the PoW MOP Variation and the Subsurface Heating Program of Works in the sub-surface heating area will require some earthmoving equipment which may include an excavator, dozer, trucks and water cart. In addition to this, excavators and dozers will be used periodically for short periods for specific tasks such as erosion control and rehabilitation maintenance.

2.3.4 Rock/overburden emplacement

There are no plans to move overburden or waste rock for mining purposes during the C&M MOP term.

2.3.5 Processing residues and tailings

There are no planned coal processing activities proposed to be undertaken during the C&M MOP term and therefore no residues and tailings will be produced.

2.3.6 Waste management

Sewerage disposal

All sewage from the crib huts and office areas is directed to septic systems which are pumped out by a licensed waste collection and disposal contractor on an as-needs basis. Sewage waste will continue to be managed in this manner during the C&M MOP term.

Oil / grease containment and disposal

Any maintenance works required on machinery and equipment during the C&M MOP term will be undertaken within existing bunded areas at the Cullen Valley Mine. Waste oils and grease from these bunded areas including the workshop, is pumped or gravity flows to an oil-water separator and is cleaned on an as needs basis.

Under emergency circumstances, i.e. breakdowns in the pit area, oils and grease will be pumped from the equipment to a tank on the service truck using an evacuation pump and will subsequently be transferred to the bulk waste oil storage tank at the maintenance workshop. All parts, packaging etc. will also be collected and transferred to the maintenance workshop for disposal or for future recycling.



Waste oils and grease stored at the maintenance workshop are collected by a licensed waste recycling contractor on an as needs basis. It should be noted that no mining activities will be undertaken during the C&M MOP term and as such only minimal oil and greases will be required to be stored on site.

Rubbish disposal

All paper and general wastes originating from the Cullen Valley Mine site offices will be disposed of in garbage bins located adjacent to the administration buildings. The bins are regularly collected and the contents placed in large waste skip bins positioned adjacent to the heavy vehicle maintenance building to await removal by a licensed industrial waste collector. Industrial waste collection is generally undertaken fortnightly.

2.3.7 Decommissioning and demolition activities

There are no planned decommissioning and demolition activities to be undertaken during the C&M MOP term. Existing machinery and equipment will be inspected and maintained as required.

2.3.8 Temporary stabilisation

Existing water management structures such as dams, sediment ponds and contour drains will be maintained in accordance with the approved Environmental Management Plan (Water Management Plan). Unshaped emplacement areas and the mine infrastructure area will be maintained to facilitate future mining. Where ground stabilisation is required in these areas this will be undertaken in accordance with the Environmental Management Plan (Erosion and Sediment Control Plan).

2.3.9 Water management

The water management system at Cullen Valley Mine has been designed (as far as possible) as a closed loop system. All water which enters the site via rainfall or through the water table is diverted to a series of settlement dams within the site. The existing water management system will remain in place during the C&M MOP term and will be managed in accordance with the approved Environmental Management Plan (Water Management Plan).

There are four dams currently on site, two of which are licenced discharge points: Dam 1 (LD001) and Dam 4 (LD004). Two other settlement dams (Dam 2 and Dam 3) will be utilised as storage dams during heavy rainfall events from predominately hardstand areas and excess water from Dam 1 and Dam 4. The dams are generally kept at low levels, approximately 1/3 of capacity, unless periods of extended dry conditions are forecast or experienced.

The primary source of water for Cullen Valley Mine is from the abandoned and flooded Tyldesley Mine underground workings via the Tilley’s Bore (GW01). The water is pumped from the workings to two 500,000L tanks. Distribution around the site is by gravity fed water mains.

Secondary sources of water come from the mine’s pollution control dams. Any excess water captured in the open void (Pit 106) will be pumped to Dam 4. Water from Dam 4 can be transferred to Dam 1 to be used for dust suppression and/or pumped into the underground workings.

Controlled discharges will only occur if EPL 10341 water quality parameters are met and if the water demands of the operation are not put at risk. The water quality discharge criteria specified in EPL 10341 include <50mg/L suspended solid, <10mg/L of oil and grease and pH with a range of 6.5 - 8.5.

The water management system and associated pumps and pipe work will be inspected during regular statutory inspections and any maintenance work will be carried out as required.



Periodic maintenance and repair works to the water management system will be undertaken during the care and maintenance period, these will likely include:

The de-silting and maintenance of sediment dams and drainage lines;

The installation of silt fences and hay bales to minimise soil erosion during rainfall events;

The construction of additional drainage lines as required; and

The continuation of the water quality monitoring program.

The above measures will ensure environmental impacts are minimised and regulatory compliance is achieved in regards to water management during the care and maintenance period.

In the event that heavy vehicles are required for planned activities or maintenance works and the haul road is used, a water cart will be made available to ensure air quality impacts are minimised. The water cart will draw water from designated water fill points as per the water management system. The potable water supply will continue to be sourced from an existing connection to the Fish River Water Supply pipeline.

2.3.10 Drainage and water pollution controls

The surface water management system has been designed to separate clean and dirty water and wherever possible clean water is diverted around the site. Suitable pollution control facilities are constructed to contain and then treat the dirty water to a standard acceptable for discharge or reuse on site. Temporary structures such as hay bales and sediment fences are also used to enhance the performance of the permanent structures.

All existing pollution control structures and storage dams will be maintained on site during the care and maintenance period to capture and treat surface water on site in accordance with the approved Environmental Management Plan (Water Management Plan).

Rehabilitated areas have been constructed with drainage lines along the contour, this will enable runoff from these areas to be collected, and redirected to sediment control dams. During the C&M MOP term, maintenance works will be undertaken to ensure the rehabilitation drainage lines are maintaining their structural integrity and effectiveness. Regular inspections of the Compensatory Habitat Areas will be conducted by the Mining Engineering Manager (MEM) or his delegate.

2.3.11 Groundwater management

It is not anticipated that any disturbance to groundwater aquifers will occur during the C&M MOP term. Groundwater is monitored and results are reported annually by a qualified consultant. Any trends that indicate that care and maintenance activities are having a potentially adverse impact to groundwater aquifers would be identified by this monitoring program. It should be noted that no adverse impacts have been identified to groundwater aquifers at the Cullen Valley Mine to date.

2.3.12 Hazardous materials

Hazardous material storage tanks containing oils, grease and degreasers have been emptied, isolated and secured. Any additional storage tanks have been removed from the site. Storage tanks remaining onsite will be kept emptied during the care and maintenance period.

Any bunds containing storage tanks or drums have been cleaned and will be checked during regular statutory inspections. One of the above ground self bunded diesel tanks (Transtank) will be operational during the care and maintenance period with up to 35,000L of diesel stored in the facility.

Two EPA registered radionuclide fixed radiation gauges (No. RR20215 and No. RR21832) have been decommissioned and are stored onsite. Inspections are carried out on the devices and the



storage container by a qualified consultant as required by the licence. A register of hazardous materials is maintained on site. In addition, any contractor is required to maintain a register of hazardous materials utilised by its operations and service personnel whilst activities are being undertaken at Cullen Valley Mine.

2.3.13 Equipment maintenance and inspections

All mining related equipment will be maintained in reasonable condition such that it is safe at all times. As such, periodic electrical and mechanical inspections will be undertaken during the care and maintenance period in accordance with relevant legislation and approved Management Plans. A risk assessment was conducted on the 27 and 28 May 2015 for the preparation of the C&M MOP. The risk assessment considered associated hazards relating to safety, environmental and security matters while the site is being maintained under the care and maintenance arrangement. The risk assessment is outlined in Section 3.

Electrical

Routine electrical inspections and the coordination of any electrical related maintenance activities will be conducted by a qualified Electrical Engineer. The electrical inspections will include the following:

Monthly internal and external inspections of all electrical apparatus, including residual current and earth leakage protection devices, operation of electrical safety devices such as emergency stops, pull wires and probes etc.;

Six monthly internal inspections of all electrical apparatus, including detailed internal inspections, earth connection integrity and insulation resistance testing;

Annual testing and tagging of all office equipment; and

Power line easement vegetation clearing prior to bushfire season, as required.

Specifically, electrical inspections will be undertaken on the following equipment at the Cullen Valley Mine during the care and maintenance period, these will include the:

11kV power line and circuit breaker;

All Water Management System infrastructure including the Dam 1 pump, Dam 4 pumps, in-pit pump and Tilley’s Bore pump; and

Training Cottage electrical circuits.

All works and inspections conducted will comply with relevant Australian Standards relating to Electrical Engineering including:

AS3000 - Wiring Rules;

AS2290 - Electrical Equipment for Coal Mines Maintenance and Overhaul;

AS3007 - Electrical Installations; and

AS2081 - Electrical Protection Devices for Mines and Quarries.

Mechanical

Routine inspections and the coordination of ongoing maintenance activities will be conducted by a qualified Mechanical Engineer. Mechanical inspections will be undertaken at the Cullen Valley Mine during the care and maintenance period on the following equipment:

The heavy equipment, and heavy and light vehicles remaining on site;

The above ground self-bunded diesel storage tank (Transtank) and pumps;

The Water Management System and associated pumps, pipes, tanks and other related infrastructure;



The septic systems;

The buildings, structures, bins, steelwork, walkways, stairs etc. to ensure there has been no damage due to vandalism, storm events, erosion, corrosion or impact etc.;

The fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems as per AS1851; and

The pressure vessels and mobile plant including light vehicles.

All tooling, lifting machines, pressure vessels and oxy / acetylene equipment on site will be removed or locked up on site. If any equipment needs to be used, the Mechanical Engineer will inspect this equipment prior to use. Equipment will be inspected on a regular basis, and additional inspections will be undertaken prior to any work commencing as required.

Mining area

The Work Health and Safety (Mines) Act 2013 and Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulation 2014 apply to all mining workplaces in NSW. This new legislation commenced on 1 February 2015 and replaced the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act 2002, Coal Mine Health and Safety Regulation 2006 (CHMS Regulation), Mine Health and Safety Act 2004 and Mine Health and Safety Regulation 2007. However, the CHMS Regulation will continue to apply to the site during the transitional period for this new legislation. As such, inspections of the mining area during the care and maintenance period will be undertaken in accordance with the CMHS Regulation which states:

“Inspection at least once each shift of all places where people work;

Inspection at least once every 24 hours of all roadways where people regularly travel; and

Inspection at least once every 7 days of all safely accessible places.”

Due to care and maintenance activities only being undertaken, the OCE District will be inspected at least once every 7 days in accordance with the CMHS Regulation. This inspection will be undertaken by an appointed OCE or the MEM. The area checked as part of this inspection will include everything within the perimeter of the OCE’s District such as:

Waste dumps, high walls, low walls and stock piles;

The water management system including dams, pipes and the Pit 106 storage area;

Erosion and sediment controls including drainage lines, silt traps, sumps and diversion bunds;

Roads and access tracks;

General security including locks and chains on entrance gate;

Buildings, maintenance workshop, crib hut and other mining related infrastructure;

Rehabilitated areas; and

The sub-surface heating area.

Inspections will be undertaken on a more frequent basis during any scheduled works or maintenance activities as required. The outcomes from the statutory inspections will be documented in the OCE Designated District Inspection Report

2.3.14 Progressive rehabilitation and completion

Rehabilitation works to be undertaken during the C&M MOP term are described in Section 7. Proposed rehabilitation works will include stabilisation (erosion control) and replanting/reseeding where required in existing rehabilitation areas. No new rehabilitation areas will be established during the C&M MOP term.



2.3.15 Material production schedule during MOP term

There are no planned mining activities and no planned material stockpiling to be undertaken during the care and maintenance period. As such there is no material production schedule required for the C&M MOP term.



3 Environmental Issues Management

3.1 Environmental Risk Assessment

A formal risk assessment for the Cullen Valley Mine care and maintenance period was undertaken by Sedgman on 27 and 28 May 2015. A site tour was undertaken to ensure all areas of the Cullen Valley Mine and adjacent lands held within mining leases were considered in the scope of the risk assessment. The risk assessment was conducted in accordance with the Sedgman HSEQ Risk Management Procedure (HSE-PC-100000).

Risks identified during the assessment and the associated risk ratings are detailed in Table 3-1. Management controls are required for all items which have been identified as either high or medium risk. It is expected that current controls listed in Table 3.1 are sufficient to manage risks.

3.2 Environmental Risk Management

Cullen Valley Mine operates in accordance with Development Consent DA_200_5_2003 granted by the Minister of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure on 19 August 2004 and EPL 10341 issued by the EPA which is renewed on 10 December each year. To ensure the Cullen Valley Mine achieves regulatory compliance with DA_200_5_2003, EPL 10341 and other relevant legislation, a number of management plans have been developed in consultation with regulators and other relevant stakeholders. Approved management plans currently in place at Cullen Valley Mine include the:

Flora and Fauna Management Plan;

Species Management Plan (Clandulla Geebung);

Environmental Management Plan;

Environmental Monitoring Program;

Blast Management Plan;

Fire Management Plan;

PoW MOP Variation;

Particulate Matter Pollution Reduction Program; and

Pollution Incident Response Management Plan.

The Cullen Valley Mine will continue to be managed in accordance with approved management plans as required. Any variations required to the above management plans or the C&M MOP will be undertaken in consultation with DRE and other relevant stakeholders.



Table 3-1: Risk assessment

Risk Description Current Controls Consequence Likelihood Risk Rating

Strata Failure Annual geological survey completed by content expert Daily inspections or prior to entry from mining engineering manager Site in care and maintenance, limited persons onsite Visitors escorted by authorised persons

Major Unlikely High

Statutory non-compliance (electrical)

Electrical Engineering Manager appointed (caretaker mode) Electrical statutory checks in current Care and Maintenance MOP

Minor Unlikely Low

Statutory non-compliance (mechanical)

Mechanical Engineering Manager appointed (caretaker mode) Mechanical statutory checks in current Care and Maintenance MOP

Minor Unlikely Low

Unauthorised access to site Locked gate to restrict access on all public accesses Highwall bunding along highwalls Security signs Locked buildings and equipment

Low Unlikely Low

Contractor Management Inducted, trained and authorised personnel OTJ risk assessment, SWMS in place MDG15 inspections on equipment Familiar with work area Supervision by authorised persons

Minor Unlikely Low

Dust Watercarts available when truck movements onsite Environmental monitoring as per Environmental Approval Licence Restricted access to pit

Low Unlikely Low

Water discharge offsite Licenced discharge points Environmental dams Environmental monitoring as per Environmental Approval Licence Inspection after rainfall events Pit pumps in place Regular inspections Natural discharge points through Marangaroo sandstone Environmental Management Plan in place

Minor Unlikely Low

General waste/sewerage Designated collection for waste - SITA Licenced sewerage collection from council on as needs basis - manual inspection Oil separators

Low Unlikely Low

Fuel/Oil Spills Contained onsite Self-bunded fuel tanks (1 x 75000L not in use) Spill kits Servicing done in pit - decanted into containers and then disposed of through seperator Light vehicles serviced offsite Fuel spills pipeline flows down to separator Approved disposal Current SHMS

Low Unlikely Low

Theft of equipment - fixed and mobile plant

Locked gate to restrict access on all public accesses Security signs Locked buildings and equipment

Low Unlikely Low




Damage to equipment - fixed and mobile plant

Equipment in care and maintenance Restricted access to site Power can be isolated at CHPP Regular statutory inspections of equipment

Minor Unlikely Low

Unauthorised use of equipment - fixed and mobile plant

Current SHMS - contractor management, training and authorisations and inductions Minor Unlikely Low

Damage to infrastructure Visual inspections by Mechanical Engineering Manager Structural integrity audits in the past Traffic management plans and signage

Minor Unlikely Low

Noise Environmental monitoring as per Environmental Approval Licence Restricted access to pit Quarterly noise monitoring by content experts Pumps run during daylight hours only

Low Unlikely Low

Statutory non-compliance (Mining) Mining Engineering Manager in caretaker mode (not appointed at present) Statutory checks in current Care and Maintenance MOP EPL in place Current SHMS

Minor Unlikely Low

No appointment of statutory roles Resource for role being sourced Appointment pending operator arrangement Previous MEM still engaged onsite

Moderate Unlikely Medium

Energised equipment Current SHMS (isolation) Restricted access to site Contractor management

Major Unlikely High

Mine subsidence Mine subsidence plan Regular inspections Fenced off and signposted

Minor Unlikely Low

Bushfire & fire Bushfire Management Plan Fire extinguishers onsite Regional bushfire brigade Fire trail access Regular inspections

Major Unlikely High

Vehicle interaction onsite Traffic Management Plan in place Restricted access to site (in care and maintenance) Authorised to drive onsite

Major Unlikely High

Spontaneous combustion and monitoring

Pumping water underground Plan of works to manage spon com Restricted access Inspections Remedial work of known spon com areas Gas monitoring when active

Low Unlikely Low




Statutory non-compliance (environmental)

Checks in current Care and Maintenance MOP EPL in place Current SHMS Environmental management plan Monitoring programs Annual Environmental audits

Minor Unlikely Low

Personal injury from working alone Restricted access to inducted and persons familiar with site Phone coverage available in majority of areas of pit Supervision Stay in main areas of the site

Minor Unlikely Low

Personal injury from Working at heights

No WAH tasks onsite identified, if so, complete JSA and be competent as per current SHMS Low Rare Low

Lack of rescue and treatment of person who suffers injury

First aid kits available onsite - vehicle, first aid rooms and kitchen Mines rescue not currently needed onsite as in care and maintenance Local emergency services available Mines rescue station at Lithgow if required

Low Unlikely Low

Personal injury from Confined spaces

No confined spaces tasks onsite identified, if so, complete JSA and be competent as per current SHMS Current confined spaces fenced and locked off

Low Rare Low

Personal injury from Working over water

No Working over water tasks onsite identified, if so, complete JSA and be competent as per current SHMS

Low Rare Low

Personal injury from Working under loads

No Working under loads tasks onsite identified, if so, complete JSA and be competent as per current SHMS

Low Rare Low

Weed control Weed Management Plan in place Wheel wash

Low Unlikely Low

Aboriginal Heritage Disturbance Aboriginal Heritage Management Plan Low Unlikely Low

Visual pollution Planned rehabilitation of old workings as part of Mine Closure Plan Mine in care and maintenance

Low Unlikely Low

Methane venting Not a risk at this site

Neighbours Community Consultative Committee Meetings Noise agreements with neighbours Complaints hotline and register Site in Care and Maintenance

Minor Possible Medium

Exposure to Hazardous Substances

Chemwatch to manage SDS's Cabinets for storage Current SHMS PPE available

Low Unlikely Low

Unplanned movement Traffic Management Plan Trained, competent and appointed personnel Restricted access to site Site in care and maintenance JSA prior to lifting onsite

Low Unlikely Low




Site access from public roads Limited access to site Site in care and maintenance

Low Unlikely Low

Inrush of water Not a risk at this site at present Mine in care and maintenance

Low Rare Low

Tyre and rim failure Not a risk at this site at present Mine in care and maintenance

Low Rare Low

Overhead power lines Traffic Management Plan Signage Site in care and maintenance

Major Unlikely High

Underground services Dig permits Up to drawings of services Current SHMS Site in care and maintenance

Low Unlikely Low

Lack of water quality in underground workings

Monitoring and inspection of water quality Monitor any discharges out of main dam

Low Unlikely Low

Vermin and pest control Baiting programs in place as required Report any signs of vermin Regular inspections of work area

Low Unlikely Low

Radiation source Designated, locked, signposted storage area Radiation Management Plan

Low Unlikely Low



3.3 Specific Risks relating to Rehabilitation

3.4 Geology and geochemistry

The Cullen Valley Mine is located within the Western Coalfield of NSW on the western edge of the Sydney Basin. The Sydney Basin consists of a series of gently dipping sedimentary beds of shale and sandstone of Permo-Carboniferous age capped by massive sandstones of Triassic Age. Directly beneath the Triassic sandstone, these beds contain coal seams and form the Upper Coal Measures. The measures extend from the western boundary of the Western Coalfield in an easterly direction, dipping generally at an angle of 1-3° to the northeast, towards the coast, and extending out to sea.

The Western Coalfield is characterised by the prominent cliffs and eroding plateaus of the Triassic age sandstone and shale Narrabeen Group which overlies the shale, sandstone, conglomerate and coal of the Permian aged Illawarra Coal Measures. These form the slopes which fall away from the sandstone and shale cliffs.

The Western Coal field extends from south of Lithgow to north of Ulan and is generally bound to the west by outcroppings of the Lithgow seam, the deepest coal seam of the measures. There is no defined eastern boundary given the dipping of coal measures to the northeast (below the Hawkesbury Sandstone of the Blue Mountains).

There are seven identified coal seams in the Illawarra Coal Measures, which in descending order are as follows:

Katoomba Seam;

Middle River Seam;

Moolarben Seam;

Upper Irondale Seam;

Irondale Seam;

Lidsdale Seam; and

Lithgow Seam.

Previous underground workings exclusively mined the Lithgow seam. The most recent open cut mining extracted predominately the Upper Irondale, Irondale, Lidsdale, and Lithgow seams. The Katoomba, Middle River, and Moolarben seams were mined in a reduced capacity where present.

Despite currently approved available coal reserves having been exhausted, there are known economically viable reserves remaining in the mining leases.

3.4.1 Material prone to spontaneous combustion

Experience to date at the Cullen Valley Mine has demonstrated that the stockpiled coal and in-situ coal resources have a low propensity to spontaneously combust. However, to ensure that it is not relevant to the subsurface heating issue, a study was undertaken to supplement the existing knowledge of the spontaneous combustion propensity of the coal and overburden in the backfill.

The results detailed in a report by RGS Environmental (May 2013) have confirmed that the in-situ coal is ‘low-risk’ for spontaneous combustion. This has provided a more complete understanding of the very low potential for spontaneous combustion to be a contributing factor to the initiation and spread of subsurface heating at Cullen Valley Mine.



3.4.2 Subsurface heating

A comprehensive assessment of subsurface heating at the Cullen Valley Mine has been undertaken in consultation with DRE. The PoW MOP Variation (dated 30 January 2013) was prepared following site assessments of the subsurface heating area by Olsen Consulting Group (OCG). The PoW MOP Variation was approved by DRE on 11 March 2013. The approved PoW MOP Variation details the history, proposed management and mitigation strategies and schedule of works proposed to treat the heat affected area. A copy of the approved PoW MOP Variation is provided in full in Appendix D.

A further site assessment was conducted by OCG on 29 October 2015 to provide an update on subsurface heating issues at Cullen Valley Mine. During this assessment it was noted that:

Previously capped areas continue to show no evidence of reheating indicating that capping provides a potential treatment for the remaining heating areas;

Heating affected vegetation adjacent previously capped areas had increased and showed evidence of combustion – actions are required to address this combustion;

Level of obvious heating on the steep face above the haul road has continued to decrease and vegetation has continued to improve but there is still thermal activity on the western edge – monitoring is required and containment of further extension of heating to the west;

Backfilled areas along the interface of the highwall and overburden showed much less emissions than previously and this practice should be continued

The area adjacent to the haul road that was previously treated by extracting heating material and replacing with inert clay and stone has worked successfully with no obvious indication of reheating. The remaining heating in this area had increased slightly in size and treatment is required for containment of further extension of heating to the west; and

The treated noise bund wall showed no obvious signs of reheating.

The recommendations arising from this site assessment are as follows:

Further monitoring and observations of heating areas should continue to confirm the appropriate level of heating management;

Capping of heating areas should be continued as a management strategy. Continue monitoring of treated areas to record success or identify the need to modify actions;

Treatment of vegetation die back in heating areas should include water management to ensure overland water flow does not enter the site. Initial investigation could include a trench excavated at the active front of the heated area to assist in planning a suitable response;

Remaining heating areas could be treated by removal of heating material and substitution with inert clay and rock (if available);

Martin Olsen should be onsite when any recommended treatments are undertaken to enable direct input into the team managing the day to day activities; and

The current Plan of Operations should be amended to reflect changes as a result of care and maintenance activities.

The monitoring and rectification works in subsurface heating areas recommended by the OCG site assessment will be conducted in accordance with the PoW MOP Variation and Subsurface Heating Program of Works.

3.4.3 Material prone to generating acid mine drainage

Coarse reject material is emplaced within the void of the open cut in such a manner that it does not encroach on in-situ coal seams (i.e. emplaced 5m away from exposed in-situ coal seams). In addition to this, course reject material is buried at a minimum 5m depth below the surface. This management measure is intended to significantly reduce the risk of any potential acid generating material entering the underlying water table, due to the coal seam being permeable.



In addition to the above measures, coal rejects have been placed at least 5m from the exposed highwall to minimise any potential for acid mine leachate to enter the subsurface water system via the exposed interburden or coal seam.

3.4.4 Mine subsidence

There will be no underground or highwall mining undertaken during the C&M MOP term. As such, no subsidence is expected to occur.

3.4.5 Erosion and sediment control

Permanent erosion and sediment control measures within the Cullen Valley Mine include containment and diversion of "clean" water around disturbed areas and containment of runoff from within disturbed areas by the sediment basins. Temporary measures including contour banks, drains and silt-stop fences will be installed and maintained in accordance with the Environmental Management Plan (Erosion and Sediment Control Plan).

3.4.6 Soil type and slope management

Soil characteristics at Cullen Valley Mine are typically deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. During the seeding process, chemical fertilizers will be added to increase soil nutrients and promote greater seed germination within the rehabilitated landscape.

Erosion has been observed on slopes in rehabilitation areas. Rectification of erosion in these areas will be undertaken by re-construction of contour banks on slopes to prevent runoff from reaching high velocities that may cause erosion.

3.4.7 Flora and fauna

Existing vegetation communities and fauna habitat have been identified during an ecological impact assessment conducted for the Environmental Assessment. The Pre-mining vegetation communities and fauna habitat are shown on Plan 1B (Appendix A). There are no vegetation clearing activities proposed during the C&M MOP term.

No new rehabilitation areas will be established during the C&M MOP term. Rehabilitation works will focus on remediation of failed vegetation in existing rehabilitation areas. Remediation of existing rehabilitation areas will proceed generally in accordance with the approved Flora and Fauna Management Plan.

3.4.8 Other risks

Air quality

There are no mining activities planned to be undertaken during the C&M MOP term, this includes blasting, coal haulage by trucks and overburden removal. As such, potential impacts to air quality will be minimal. Control measures to minimise air quality impacts include utilising a water cart on haul roads when undertaking maintenance works during the C&M MOP term.

Dust monitoring will continue to be undertaken in accordance with the Environmental Management Plan (Air Quality Management Plan) to verify the effectiveness of air quality control measures and will include dust deposition, PM10, and meteorological conditions.

Surface water

Surface water will be monitored and managed in accordance with the approved Environmental Management Plan (Water Management Plan) as discussed in Section 2.3.9.



Groundwater

There are no impacts to groundwater anticipated to occur during the C&M MOP term. Groundwater monitoring will be undertaken to identify any potential adverse impacts.

Contaminated land

There are no known areas of land contamination at the Cullen Valley Mine. There are no planned works proposed to be undertaken during the C&M MOP term that would cause significant land contamination. Control measures regarding hazardous materials that may cause contamination are discussed below.

Hazardous materials

Hazardous material storage tanks containing oils, grease and degreasers have been emptied, isolated and secured. Any additional storage tanks have been removed from the site. Storage tanks remaining onsite will be kept emptied during the care and maintenance period. Any bunds containing storage tanks or drums have been cleaned and will be checked during regular statutory inspections. The above ground self bunded diesel tank (Transtank) will be operational during the care and maintenance period with up to 35,000L of diesel stored in the facility.

Two EPA registered radionuclide fixed radiation gauges (No. RR20215 and No. RR21832) have been decommissioned and are stored onsite. Inspections are carried out on the devices and the storage container by a qualified consultant as required by the licence.

A register of hazardous materials is maintained on site. In addition, any contractor is required to maintain a register of hazardous materials utilised by its operations and service personnel whilst activities are being undertaken at Cullen Valley Mine.

Greenhouse gases, methane drainage/venting

Due to the cessation of mining activities at the commencement of the care and maintenance period, greenhouse gas emissions is minimal and is generally limited to fuel (diesel) use for operation of light vehicles and pumps and electricity use at the administration buildings and workshops. There are no methane drainage issues and venting is not conducted at the site.

Blasting

Due to the cessation of mining activities at the commencement of the care and maintenance period, blasting is not conducted and there are no planned blasting activities during the C&M MOP term.

Noise

There will be no proposed mining activities undertaken at the Cullen Valley Mine during the C&M MOP term. As such no potential adverse noise impacts are anticipated during this time. Quarterly monitoring of noise at various locations around the site is conducted in accordance with approval conditions.

Visual and lighting

There will be no proposed mining activities undertaken at the Cullen Valley Mine during the C&M MOP term. As such, no potential adverse visual or lighting impacts are anticipated during this time.

Heritage (Aboriginal and European)

Previous archaeological surveys did not locate any Aboriginal Artefacts or sites within the approved open cut mining area. However, two sites of significance were recorded in close proximity to the approved mining area. A campsite-stone artefact scatter (C-OS-1) and a rock



shelter site (C-S-1). A further two sites where identified in surveys undertaken during 2011 and include 45-1-2542 and RSC-OS-1. These sites are located outside of the existing mining area and will not be impacted during the C&M MOP period.

In the unlikely event that disturbance to the sites is required under the C&M MOP, an appropriate investigation of the open camp and site scatter would be undertaken by an appropriately qualified archaeologist in consultation with relevant stakeholders including Aboriginal groups. If any further Aboriginal objects are uncovered at any time during the course of the C&M MOP, OEH will be notified accordingly.

The most important site of European heritage significance is the Cullen Bullen General Cemetery, which demonstrates a wide range of approaches to funerary memorials throughout the twentieth century. Monuments contained within the cemetery display a variety of interpretations on the more sophisticated contemporary styles and the site includes a number of unusual features including concrete pyramids which mark denominational sections. The graves marked with sandstone drill core sections provide an indication of the importance of mining to this rural community. Other items of heritage significance in the local area include the Coach House and Back Cullen Cemetery.

No mining activities or exploration works are proposed to be undertaken in proximity to locations of European heritage significance during the C&M MOP period.

Bushfire

A Bushfire Management Plan has been developed in consultation with the Forestry Corporation NSW. A number of measures and safeguards have been implemented to minimise bushfire risk. These include:

Fitting fire extinguishers to all earthmoving and mining equipment;

Fitting and maintaining efficient exhaust systems and spark arresters to mobile equipment;

Advising NSW Rural Fire Service, regulatory authorities and neighbours of any burning-off operations;

Ensuring that vehicles with low level exhaust systems do not leave defined tracks in locations and conditions likely to lead to ignition of combustible plant material; and

Maintaining, at the request of NSW Forestry Corporation, existing fire trails or access roads at the extremities of the lease area, which serve as access for fire fighting services as well as establishing a fire break to the limits of operations at the open cut.

Hydrocarbon contamination

All fuel and oil storage areas on site are contained within bunded areas to Australian standards or are contained within concreted workshop areas serviced by fuel and oil separation facilities. Any material contaminated by hydrocarbons will be remediated to OEH criteria or standards or as considered appropriate.

Weeds

A weed spraying contractor is employed to monitor and control noxious weed infestations on the site. Some spraying for Blackberrys and St Johns Wort will be required with particular attention being paid to fringe areas and rehabilitation surfaces. Weed spraying will be undertaken during the C&M MOP term as required.

Public safety

Access to working areas of the open cut are controlled by locked gates. Access to the site by members of the public will be via contact at the mine office where visitors will be escorted by site personnel around the site. Contractors will be appropriately inducted and escorted unless appointed to drive on site. Warning signs have been placed on extremities of operations to ensure members of the public are aware of the presence of the open cut working.



4 Post Mining Land Use

4.1 Regulatory Requirements

Regulatory requirements relating to rehabilitation and post-mining land use are described in Table 4-1 below.

Table 4-1: Regulatory requirements for rehabilitation and post-mining land use

Source Reference Requirement Reference

Development Consent DA 200_5_2003

Condition 29 Within the limits of best practice flora and fauna management, the applicant shall conserve, manage and maintain at least 50 hectares of land on or adjacent to the site to the satisfaction of the Director-General to compensate for the vegetation that would be removed by the development, in general accordance with the proposal contained in the Applicant's correspondence to the Department dated 20 May 2004 (see Appendix 2).

Flora and Fauna Management Plan


Condition 30 Within 12 months of the date of this consent, the Applicant shall prepare, and then implement, a Flora and Fauna Management Plan for the development, in consultation with DPI, and to the satisfaction of the Director-General. This plan must include a:

(a) Compensatory Habitat Plan;

(b) Vegetation Clearance Protocol;

(c) Weed Management Strategy;

(d) Ecological Monitoring Program; and

(e) description of who would be responsible for monitoring, reviewing, and implementing the plan.



Condition 31 The Compensatory Habitat Plan shall:

(a) describe the immediate and long-term compensatory habitat proposal, and demonstrate how this proposal would be integrated with the proposed rehabilitation of the site and surrounding areas of remnant vegetation;

(b) identify strategies to protect areas excluded from open cut mining from disturbanceduring mining operations;

(c) identify options for the permanent protection of areas of compensatory habitat;

(d) provide baseline data on the existing flora and fauna in the proposed compensatory habitat areas;

(e) describe how the compensatory habitat proposal would be implemented; and

(f) set completion criteria for the compensatory habitat proposal.



Condition 32 The Vegetation Clearance Protocol shall include:

(a) plans9 showing the vegetation communities in the

area, highlighting important fauna habitat areas and threatened species locations; the areas to be cleared; and the proposed clearing program;

(b) procedures for progressive vegetation clearing and soil management;

(c) strategies for minimising vegetation clearance within the development area and protection of vegetated areas outside that area;

(d) identification of fauna management strategies;

(e) collection of seed from the local area;

(f) salvage and reuse of material from the site;

(g) a habitat tree management program, including fauna recovery procedures;

(h) potential for relocation of hollow bearing trees, compensatory management measures (such as replacement of lost hollows with nesting boxes); and

(i) where possible, strategies for re-using individuals or populations of any threatened plant species that would otherwise be destroyed by the development in





rehabilitation works.


Condition 33 The Weed Management Strategy shall include:

(a) weed identification;

(b) weed eradication methods and protocols for the use of herbicides; and

(c) methods to treat and re-use weed infested topsoil.



Condition 34 The Ecological Monitoring Program shall include:

(a) a program to monitor revegetation of disturbance areas including:

visual monitoring to determine the need for maintenance and/or contingency measures;

monitoring of the quality of rehabilitation using a systems based approach through the assessment of landscape function, vegetation dynamics and habitat complexity; and

(b) a program to monitor the effectiveness of rehabilitation.



Condition 35 The Applicant shall:

(a) review the performance of the Flora and Fauna Management Plan annually; and

(b) revise the document as necessary to take into account any recommendations from the annual review, to the satisfaction of the Director-General.



Condition 36 Within 2 years of the date of this consent, and every 5 years thereafter, unless the Director-General directs otherwise, the Applicant shall commission, and pay the full cost of, an Independent Audit of the compensatory habitat proposal. This audit must:

(a) be conducted by a suitably qualified, experienced, and independent person whose appointment has been approved by the Director-General;

(b) assess the performance of the compensatory habitat proposal;

(c) review the adequacy of the Flora and Fauna Management Plan; and, if necessary

(d) recommend actions or measures to improve the performance of the compensatory habitat proposal, and the adequacy of the Fauna and Flora Management Plan.

Independent Environmental Audit Cullen Valley Mine, GSS Environmental (February 2011).

Mining Leases 1455, 1488, 1556 and 1557

Condition 2: Rehabilitation

Any disturbance resulting from the activities carried out under this mining lease must be rehabilitated to the satisfaction of the Minister

Section 7

Mining Leases 1455, 1488, 1556 and 1557

Condition 3: Mining Operations Plan and Annual Rehabilitation Report

(a) The lease holder must comply with an approved Mining Operations Plan (MOP) in carrying out any significant surface disturbing activities, including mining operations, mining purposes and prospecting. The lease holder must apply to the Minister for approval of a MOP. An approved MOP must be in place prior to commencing any significant surface disturbing activities, including mining operations, mining purposes and prospecting.

(b) the MOP must identify the post mining land use and set out a detailed rehabilitation strategy which:

(i) identifies areas that will be disturbed;

(ii) details the staging of specific mining operations, mining purposes and prospecting;

(iii) identifies how the mine will be managed and rehabilitated to achieve the post mining land use;

(iv) identifies how mining operations, mining purposes and prospecting will be carried out in order to prevent and/or minimise harm to the environment; and

(v) reflects the conditions of approval under:

The Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979;

The Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997; and

Any other approvals relevant to the development including the conditions of this mining lease.

This C&M MOP and

AEMR




(c) the MOP must be prepared in accordance with the ESG3: Mining Operations Plan (MOP) Guidelines September 2013 published on the Departments website at:

www.resources.nsw.gov.au/environment

(d) the lease holder may apply to the Minister to amend an approved MOP at any time.

(e) it is not a breach of this condition if:

(i) the operations which, but for this condition 3(e) would be a breach of condition 3(a), were necessary to comply with a lawful order or direction given under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979, the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, the Mine Health & Safety Act 2004/ Coal Mine Health & Safety Act 2002 and Mine Health & Safety Regulation 2007/ Coal Mine Health & Safety Regulation 2006 or the Work Health & Safety Act 2011; and

(ii) The Minister had been notified in writing of the terms of the order or direction prior to the operations constituting the breach being carried out.

(f) The lease holder must prepare a Rehabilitation Report to the satisfaction of the Minister. The report must:

(i) provide a detailed review of the progress of rehabilitation against the performance measures and criteria established in the approved MOP;

(ii) be submitted annually on the grant anniversary date (or at such other times as agreed by the Minister); and

(iii) be prepared in accordance with any relevant annual reporting guidelines published on the Department’s website at www.resources.nsw.gov.au/environment.

Note: The Rehabilitation Report replaces the Annual Environmental Management Report.

Exploration Licences EL6007, EL5712, AUTH324 and AUTH420

Condition 37 All disturbance resulting from prospecting operations carried out under this exploration licence must be rehabilitated by the licence holder to the satisfaction of the Minister.

Section 7

Exploration Licences EL6007, EL5712, AUTH324 and AUTH420

Condition 38 In rehabilitating the disturbance resulting from prospecting operations, the licence holder must ensure that:

a) all machinery, buildings and other infrastructure is removed from the area;

b) the area is left in a clean tidy and stable condition;

c) there is no adverse environmental effect outside the disturbed area;

d) the land is properly drained and protected from soil erosion;

e) the land is not a potential source of pollution;

f) the land is compatible with the surrounding land and land use requirements;

g) the landforms, soils, hydrology and flora require no greater maintenance than that in, or on, the surrounding land;

h) the land does not pose a threat to public safety; and

i) in cases where vegetation has been removed or damaged:

i) where the previous vegetation was native, species used for revegetation are endemic to the area; or

ii) where the previous vegetation was not native, species used for revegetation are appropriate to the area; and

iii) any revegetation is of an appropriate density and diversity.

Section 7

Exploration Licences EL6007, EL5712, and Authorisations AUTH324 and AUTH420

Condition 39 The licence holder must ensure that all water land and wetland crossings that are disturbed during prospecting operations are rehabilitated such that the natural flow of water is unimpeded and bank stability is maintained to prevent erosion.

Section 7

http://www.resources.nsw.gov.au/environment

http://www.resources.nsw.gov.au/environment





Condition 40 The licence holder must comply with any relevant guidelines issued by the Secretary in the rehabilitation of disturbance resulting from prospecting operations under this exploration licence.

Section 7


Condition 41

All rehabilitation of disturbance resulting from prospecting operations under this exploration licence must be completed before the expiry of this exploration licence or as soon as practicable following cancellation of this exploration licence, unless otherwise approved by the Minister.

Section 7

4.2 Post Mining Land Use Goal

Disturbed areas within the mining leases will be progressively revegetated and regenerated to self-sustaining native vegetation communities. The proposed final land use aims to emulate the pre-mining environment and will enhance local and regional ecological linkages across the site and with proximate areas. Revegetation works will use local provenance species wherever possible.

4.3 Rehabilitation Objectives

The primary objective of site revegetation and regeneration is to create a stable final landform with acceptable post-mining land use and suitability.

Rehabilitation areas are to be established progressively once mining operations recommence and will be managed in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Management Plan. In the long term, rehabilitation areas are to become integrated with adjacent native vegetation communities. Rehabilitation areas are to be monitored on an annual basis and will be managed until self-sustaining. Final rehabilitation areas are to achieve the rehabilitation completion criteria specified in the Rehabilitation Tables (Appendix C).



5 Rehabilitation Planning and Management

5.1 Domain Selection

The primary and secondary domains of the project area are described in Table 5-1 below.

Table 5-1: Primary and secondary domains

Code Domain Description

Primary domains (operational)

1 Infrastructure Areas Offices, workshops, mining infrastructure, ROM Stockpiles and mine access roads.

2 Unshaped emplacement areas Previously mined areas backfilled with overburden.

3 Mine voids and pits Mine extraction areas not yet backfilled.

4 Water Management Structures Environmental dams, sump dams, sediment ponds used in management of mine affected water.

Secondary domains (post-mining)

A Shaped and topsoiled emplacement areas Previously mined areas backfilled, shaped and topsoiled and awaiting revegetation.

B Rehabilitation Areas Previously mined areas rehabilitated with native plant species representative of locally occurring vegetation communities.

C Established Rehabilitation Areas Rehabilitated areas progressing towards native forest

5.2 Domain Rehabilitation Objectives

The rehabilitation objectives for primary and secondary domains are listed in Table 5.2 below.

Table 5.2: Domain rehabilitation objectives

Code Domain Objectives

Primary domains (operational)

1 Infrastructure Areas All equipment, infrastructure and services to be removed prior to mine closure.

Hazardous and/or contaminated material to be removed and land remediated as required.

Land disturbed by mining activities is safe, stable and non-polluting and is consistent with the proposed post-mining land use

Revegetation to be undertaken through seeding and/or tubestock planting compatible with the proposed final land use.

2 Unshaped emplacement areas Disturbed landform is graded and shaped to reflect natural landforms and is free-draining.


Water management system to be maintained and monitored in accordance with the Water Management Plan.

3 Mine voids and pits Disturbed landform is graded and shaped to reflect natural landforms and is free-draining.





Code Domain Objectives

4 Water Management Structures Water management system to be maintained and monitored in accordance with the Water Management Plan.

Water management structures to be retained in place until rehabilitation is complete and post-mining landforms achieve stability and land use suitability.

Water management structures to be retained within the post-mining landform to be decontaminated and suitable for use as clean water dams.

Secondary domains (post-mining)

A Shaped and topsoiled emplacement areas Disturbed landform is graded and shaped to reflect natural landforms and is free-draining.



B Rehabilitation areas Revegetation works are undertaken in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Management Plan.

Rehabilitation areas to be managed to become integrated with adjacent native vegetation communities.

Rehabilitation areas to be monitored on an annual basis and managed until self-sustaining.

C Established rehabilitation areas Established rehabilitation areas to be monitored on an annual basis and managed until self-sustaining.

Final rehabilitation areas to achieve rehabilitation completion criteria.

5.3 Rehabilitation Phases

The current rehabilitation phase for each domain is summarised in Table 5-3 below.

Table 5-3: Summary of rehabilitation phases

Rehabilitation Phase Infr

astr

uctu

re A

rea

s

Unsh

ape

d E

mp

lacem

ent

Are

as

Min

e V

oid

s a

nd

Pits

Wa

ter

Ma

nag

em

en

t

Str

uctu

res

Sh

ap

ed a

nd T

opso

iled

Em

pla

cem

en

t A

reas

Reh

ab

ilita

tio

n A

reas

Esta

blis

he

d R

eh

abili

tatio

n

Are

as

Active Mining Area X X X

Decommissioning X X X X X X X

Landform Establishment X X X X X X

Growth Medium Development X X X X X X

Ecosystem and Land Use Establishment

X X X X X X

Ecosystem and Land use Sustainability

X X X X X X

Relinquished Lands X X X X X X X

Note: = current rehabilitation phase



6 Performance Indicators, and Completion/Relinquishment Criteria

Rehabilitation objectives have been developed for each of the domains as shown in Section 5.2. Measurable performance indicators and rehabilitation completion criteria have been defined to measure progress of rehabilitation in accordance with the domain objectives. These are listed in the Rehabilitation Table provided in Appendix C of this C&M MOP.



7 Rehabilitation Implementation

7.1 Status at MOP Commencement

Operational domains at the Cullen Valley Mine are being maintained to facilitate future mining operations. Office building and workshops are maintained and inspected by the MEM on a weekly basis. Infrastructure that has been retained on site is maintained and undergoes regular electrical and mechanical inspections to ensure the safety and integrity of equipment.

Mine pits, voids and unshaped emplacement areas as well as access tracks and water management structures are inspected on a weekly basis by the MEM and maintenance and repairs are undertaken as required.

The current status of rehabilitation areas includes areas of established vegetation, seeded areas and shaped and topsoiled waste emplacement areas. Rehabilitation areas include 132.8 ha of previously mined land since the commencement of open cut mining operations at the Cullen Valley Mine.

The status of each domain at the commencement of the C&M MOP term is shown on Plan 2 (Appendix A).

7.2 Proposed Rehabilitation Activities during the MOP Term

7.2.1 Maintenance of existing rehabilitation areas

An assessment of rehabilitation areas at Cullen Valley Mine was conducted by Kleinfelder during a site survey conducted from 16 to 19 February 2015 as part of the annual biodiversity monitoring. The site rehabilitation assessment included:

A walk-through site assessment (plant diversity, stratum proportions, weed abundance, soil stability/erosion, fauna habitat); and

Fauna monitoring (nest boxes, opportunistic sightings, tracks, scats and other traces).

The assessment conducted by Kleinfelder identified an over abundance of Acacia species within rehabilitation areas and consequent reduction in groundcover as well as areas of Acacia dieback. Moderate to severe erosion (rilling) was observed within rehabilitation areas especially on steep drainage lines. There was evidence of fauna use of nest boxes in the older rehabilitation areas. However, there was no evidence of use in the newer rehabilitation areas due to immature vegetation.

Recommended actions for rehabilitation areas included:

Construction of contour furrows or contour banks on slopes to prevent runoff from reaching velocities that may cause erosion;

Removal of Acacia dealbata and A. decurrens from the rehabilitation seed mix to allow more groundcovers to colonise;

Installation of further nest boxes in established areas with trees above 3m height for native fauna species in particular specifically designed bat boxes for colonisation by Microbats.

Proposed rehabilitation activities to be undertaken during the C&M MOP term will include:

Replanting/reseeding of failed rehabilitation areas in erosion washouts and on unvegetated parts of the noise bund (approximately 0.74 ha);

Monitoring and reseeding (if required) of rehabilitation areas that are not yet fully established and monitoring of vegetation dieback in subsurface heating areas (approximately 15.65 ha);



Rectification of existing erosion washouts within rehabilitation areas and repair E&S control measures (approximately 1.89 ha); and

Repair of erosion control devices and repair of surface cracks in subsurface heating areas (approximately 2.71 ha).

The total rehabilitation areas will remain at 132.8 ha at the completion of the C&M MOP term, with remediation works undertaken in existing areas where rehabilitation has failed.

No new rehabilitation areas will be established during the C&M MOP term. Rehabilitation works will focus on remediation of failed vegetation establishment in existing rehabilitation areas. Remediation of existing rehabilitation areas will proceed generally in accordance with the approved Flora and Fauna Management Plan.

Full contouring and revegetation of new rehabilitation areas within the Cullen Valley Mine site will be undertaken once future operations recommence. Planned rehabilitation works during the C&M MOP term are shown on Plan 2 (Appendix A).

7.2.2 Subsurface heating monitoring and rectification works

Works to be undertaken in subsurface heating areas during the C&M MOP term include:

Continued monitoring and observations of previously treated heating areas;

Treatment of vegetation die back in heating areas including management of overland flows;

Trench excavation at the active front of heating adjacent to Area B to assist in planning a suitable response; and

Treatment of heating Area F by removal of heating material and substitution with inert material.

The monitoring and rectification works in subsurface heating areas recommended by the OCG site assessment will be conducted in accordance with the PoW MOP Variation and Subsurface Heating Program of Works.

7.2.3 Repair and reconstruction of erosion control devices

Water management structures on rehabilitated areas will remain in place during the care and maintenance period in accordance with the approved Water Management Plan. These include contour drainage lines, sediment ponds and rock lined drop structures which form part of the final rehabilitated landscape. Ongoing maintenance works will include the clearing and excavation of drainage lines to prevent scouring of the slope and the installation of sediment controls such as hay bales and silt fences as required.

There are currently four dams on site (Dams 1 to 4). Rehabilitation surfaces are constructed to allow transfer of waters to central points serviced by Dam 1, Dam 2 and Dam 3. The water level in these dams is monitored and can be regulated by pumping water between them as needed.

Sediment control structures such as sediment traps or ponds will be left in place following establishment of vegetation cover on rehabilitation surfaces to provide protection for rehabilitation areas and downstream environments. All structures such as silt trap fences and straw bales will be maintained in operable condition whilst required, however these will not be used as long-term structures for sediment and water control.

Cleaning and repair of contour drains

An excavator or tracked dozer is planned to be utilised to clean out the contour drains and make sure that the drains have a slight fall in the relevant direction. In areas where the slope of the drain causes water to flow more rapidly, an appropriate structure such as rock or hay bales will be utilised to slow the flow of water to prevent erosion in the drain.



Where drain walls have been eroded, this section of wall will be reconstructed and compacted to maintain the integrity of the contour drain. The cause of the wall erosion will be identified and the problem rectified to prevent this erosion reoccurring.

Material cleaned out from the drain will be used to rebuild and stabilise the drain wall or will be spread on adjacent slopes.

Repair of erosion washouts

In areas where washouts on the rehabilitated slopes have occurred, the cause of the washout will be identified and rectified. This is normally due to the contour drain, above the slope, failing or filling up with silt due to bad drainage in the drain.

The eroded slope will then be repaired to remove the erosion channel. This will be done by an item of plant (excavator or tracked dozer). The eroded area will be left such that water won’t flow down the slope at such a speed so as to erode the repaired slope

Reconstruction/repair of failed E&S devices

A site inspection was conducted by a Sedgman’s Civil Engineer at Cullen Valley Mine on 29 October 2015 to determine remedial works required to prevent further deterioration of the existing erosion and sediment control (ESC) measures currently in place for the mine.

It is noted that the worst erosion occurs at the northern end of the mine where the larger and steeper catchments produce runoff that is directed to constructed stormwater improvement devices.

The proposed remedial works required at Cullen Valley Mine include the following works to improve existing control devices in subsurface heating areas:

Modelling of the catchment adjacent to subsurface heating areas (Area R) to inform design of improved erosion control measures;

Redesign and reconstruction of the existing dam (if required) in subsurface heating Area B;

Construction of a spill drain and rock flume to re-direct water away from subsurface heating Area R; and

Construction of a new rock flume (Area B) at a higher level and regrading of an existing catch drain and construction a new stormwater outlet pipe and downstream discharge.

The following works will be undertaken to improve existing control devices in rehabilitation areas:

Reconstruction of side slope catch drain to achieve at least a 1 to 1.5% gradient;

Reconstruction of contour drains to a 3.0 m width base profile;

Reconstruction of existing rock flumes on embankments and construction of a “stilling pond; and

Additional remedial work on a recently reconstructed catch drain to prevent the “breakout” of runoff from overtopping.

7.2.4 Replanting/reseeding in existing rehabilitation areas

The objectives of rehabilitation are to establish species diversity and plant densities representative of adjacent natural environments and for rehabilitation areas to become integrated with adjacent native vegetation communities. Rehabilitation areas are monitored during annual biodiversity monitoring to ensure that rehabilitation is progressing in accordance with rehabilitation criteria.



Where annual monitoring indicates that plant densities and species diversity is not in accordance with rehabilitation criteria, replanting and/or reseeding of failed rehabilitation areas will be undertaken and the rehabilitation seed mix will be amended as required.

The vegetation species used within rehabilitation areas for the Cullen Valley Mine are provided in Table 7-1 below.

Table 7-1: Rehabilitation Seed Mix

Species Common Name

Tree / Shrub Species

Eucalyptus tereticornis Forest Red Gum, Blue Gum

E. rossii Tableland Scribbly Gum

E. dalympleana Mountain Gum

E. radiate Narrow-leaved peppermint, Forth River Peppermint

E. globoidea White Stringybark

E. albens White Box

E. crebra Narrow-leaved Ironbark

E. sieberi Silvertop Ash, Black Ash

E. obliqua Tasmania Oak

E. microcarpa Grey Box

E. rubida Candle Bark Gum

E. dives Broad-leaved Peppermint

E. blakelyi Blakelys Red Gum

E. punctata Grey Gum

E. pauciflora Snow Gum, White Gum

E. viminalis Manna Gum, Ribbon Gum

Acacia buxiflolia Box-leaf Wattle

A. penninervis Hickory Wattle, Mountain Hickory

A. spectabilis Mudgee Wattle

A. rubida Red Stemmed Wattle

Dodonaea cuneata Sticky Hop-bush, Wedge-leaf Hop Bush

Callistemon linearis Narrow Leaved Bottlebrush

Allocasuarina distylla Scrub she-oak

Leptospermum polygalifolium Tantoon

Leptospermum flavescens Yellow tea tree

Banksia spinulosa Hairpin Banksia

Pasture Seed

Coolabah Oats Wimmera Rye

Couch Perennial Rye

Japanese Millet Green Panic

Kikuyu Phalaris

Seaton Park Clover



7.3 Summary of Rehabilitation Areas during the MOP Term

The status of rehabilitation areas at the completion of the C&M MOP term is summarised in Table 7-2 below.

Table 7-2: Summary of Rehabilitation Areas during the MOP Term

Domain Code Rehabilitation phase Area (ha) at start of MOP

Area (ha) at end of MOP

Primary domains

Infrastructure areas 1 Active mining area 20.6 20.6

Unshaped emplacement areas

2 Active mining area 32.5 32.5

Mine voids and pits 3 Active mining area 1.4 1.4

Water management structures

4 Active mining area 2.2 2.2

Secondary domains

Shaped and topsoiled emplacement areas

A Landform establishment 4.4 4.4

Rehabilitation areas B Landform establishment (includes areas of erosion to be repaired)

61.7 61.7

Established rehabilitation areas

C Ecosystem and Land use (includes areas of erosion and subsurface heating to be monitored and repaired)

71.1 71.1

7.4 Relinquishment Phase achieved during MOP period

Previous rehabilitation at Cullen Valley Mine has seen the successful germination and growth of native and local grass, shrub and tree species which are representative of the vegetation community types found in the area.

Recent rehabilitation has proved successful with multiple tree species including Eucalyptus, Acacia and Allocasuarina being heavily represented.

No areas within existing mining leases will be relinquished during the C&M MOP term.



8 Rehabilitation Monitoring and Research

8.1 Rehabilitation Monitoring

Regular weed and feral pest management will be implemented at Cullen Valley Mine during the care and maintenance period.

Noxious weed species which are found within the local and surrounding area include but are not limited to Blackberry, Broom, Sweet Briar, St Johns Wart, Paterson’s Curse, Thistle, Flaxed leaf Fleabane and Serrated Tussock. Weed spraying will be undertaken in late spring to early summer.

Introduced fauna species such as foxes, rabbits, feral cats and dogs and occasionally pigs may increase in numbers within the Cullen Valley Mine due to the altered landform and land use. Monitoring of cleared and thinned vegetation and areas where tracks have been formed within the Cullen Valley Mine will be conducted on an as needs basis. Pest control measures such as trapping and baiting may be employed in consultation with the appropriate government agency and / or controlling authority.

Rehabilitated lands will be monitored on an annual basis as part of the annual biodiversity monitoring in accordance with the approved Flora and Fauna Management Plan to ensure they are being adequately maintained. All monitoring results and trials will be reported within the Cullen Valley Mine Annual Environmental Management Report.

8.2 Research and Rehabilitation Trials and Use of Analogous Sites

Annual Biodiversity surveys will continue to be conducted in the Compensatory Habitat areas in and around the Cullen Valley Mine and on rehabilitated lands in accordance with the approved Flora and Fauna Management Plan. This will provide feedback on the status of rehabilitated areas and its progression towards achieving biodiversity target levels. Biodiversity target levels have been set based on the density and diversity of flora and fauna in adjacent native bushland. Routine inspections of the Compensatory Habitat areas will be conducted by the Environmental Manager or his delegate.

A nesting box trial was implemented in June 2013 to provide supplementary habitat for native fauna species in rehabilitated areas. The nesting box trial consists of two plots at Cullen Valley Mine which contain six nesting boxes per plot. Monitoring of the existing nest boxes will take place in conjunction with the annual biodiversity surveys. This will determine if the installation of nest boxes in rehabilitated areas is an effective strategy in attracting gliders and native birds and increasing biodiversity. Depending on the results of the trial, the practice of installing nest boxes could be implemented within existing rehabilitation areas and included in future rehabilitation programs and management plans.



9 Intervention and Adaptive Management

9.1 Threats to Rehabilitation

Potential threats and impacts on rehabilitation areas are identified and management measures to mitigate such impacts are outlined in Table 9-1.

Table 9-1: Threats to rehabilitation

Potential threat Potential impact Management measure

Erosion and sedimentation Washout of vegetation and/or inability of vegetation to establish on eroded surfaces

Regular site inspections and maintenance/repair of E&S controls as required in accordance with the Environmental Management Plan (Erosion and Sediment Control Plan).

Failure of seed to establish Poor vegetation cover and plant densities

Annual monitoring and management in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Management Plan and Environmental Monitoring Program.

Reseeding failed areas as required.

Dieback of established vegetation

Poor vegetation cover and plant densities


Reseeding/replanting failed areas as required.

Over-dominance of species and low species diversity

Inappropriate vegetation structural diversity


Use of recommended rehabilitation seed mix and adjustment of seed mix as required.

Weed encroachment Weed establishment outcompeting native plant species

Regular site inspections and annual monitoring and management in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Management Plan and Environmental Monitoring Program.

Regular weed control by a licenced weed spraying contractor.

Bushfire Loss of vegetation and structural diversity

Maintenance of fire-fighting equipment and reduction of fuel loads in consultation with NSW Rural Fire Service.

Subsurface heating Smoke emanation and dieback of vegetation due to subsurface heating

Regular site inspections, update of PoW MOP Variation and management in accordance with PoW MOP Variation and Subsurface Heating Program of Works.

9.2 Trigger Action Response Plan

Rehabilitation threats, monitoring triggers requiring a response and actions to be implemented in response to threats are identified in Table 9-2. Annual monitoring of rehabilitation areas is conducted in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Management Plan and the Environmental Monitoring Program. In addition, regular site inspections are conducted of site E&S controls in accordance with the Environmental Management Plan (Erosion and Sediment Control Plan). Weed monitoring is conducted both during regular site inspections and annual biodiversity monitoring and weed spraying is conducted by a licenced contractor.



Table 9-2: Trigger Action Response Plan

Rehabilitation threats Trigger levels Response actions

Erosion and sedimentation

Regular site inspections indicate visible signs of erosion/washout in rehabilitation areas.

Rectification of eroded sites and installation of additional E&S controls as required in accordance with the Environmental Management Plan (Erosion and Sediment Control Plan).

Failure of seed to establish

Non-conformance with performance indicators in the Flora and Fauna Management Plan.

Reseeding as required in failed rehabilitation areas in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Management Plan.

Dieback of established vegetation


Supplementary planting or re-seeding in failed rehabilitation areas as required in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Management Plan.

Over-dominance of species and low species diversity


Adjusting the seed mix applied to rehabilitation areas and supplementary planting or re-seeding as required in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Management Plan.

Weed encroachment Regular site inspections or annual monitoring indicate visible signs of weed encroachment in rehabilitation areas.

Increased frequency of weed spraying and/or use of species-specific herbicides for targeted weed species as required in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Management Plan.

Bushfire Occurrence of bushfire events that encroaches onto the site.

Maintenance of fire trails and fire breaks and reduction of fuel loads in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Management Plan and in consultation with the NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW Forestry Corporation.

Subsurface heating Regular site inspections indicate visible smoke emanation or vegetation dieback due to heating

Regular monitoring of subsurface heating areas, revision of the PoW MOP Variation as required and management in accordance with PoW MOP Variation.



10 Reporting

Monitoring is conducted to ensure regulatory compliance and reporting is provided to regulatory agencies in accordance with the conditions of approvals, licences and mining leases and the requirements of approved management plans. Current reporting conducted during the care and maintenance phase includes:

Weekly site inspections by MEM and recording of inspection results for provision to regulatory agencies on request;

Environmental monitoring of air quality, surface water, groundwater and noise and monthly results reported on project website;

Environmental monitoring results reported to regulatory agencies in the Annual Environmental Management Report (AEMR);

Annual biodiversity monitoring of rehabilitation areas and reporting in AEMR;

Review and update of management plans as required and submission of revised documents to regulatory agencies;

Regulatory Compliance Audit and reporting to regulatory agency through submission of an Audit Action Plan;

Maintenance of the Community Complaints Register and reporting to regulatory agencies in annual Community Consultation Reports; and

Community Consultative Committee meetings held at least twice yearly and provision of all reports to committee members.

Appendix A

MOP Plans

Appendix B

Care & Maintenance Risk Assessment

Revision: 1.0 - 17-Dec-2015

Appendix C

Rehabilitation Tables

Appendix D

Plan of Works Variation to the Mining Operations Plan, 30 January 2013


Revision: 1.0 - 17-Dec-2015

Appendix E

Subsurface Heating Program of Works 26 November 2015

care and maintenance mining operations plan€¦ · name of authorisation/authorisation holder(s):...

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